Dartmoor Zoo is seeking placement students for the role of Engagement Assistant for the 2025-2026 academic year.

To learn the importance of formal and informal education in a zoo and assist the Education Officers in developing and delivering the zoos engagement activities. You will gain experience within an award winning BIAZA accredited zoo education department, receiving regular training and tutorials from professional zoo staff.

This will include, but not be limited to, the following tasks:
• Learning and presenting public talks.
• Assisting in the management of the volunteer team.
• After sufficient training, running the volunteer team.
• Help to produce education resources using a range of media.
• Opportunities to assist the department in all areas of zoo education including taught school sessions and outreach, use of education animals and assist with the running of the zoo’s conservation academy which includes our popular programmes Rangers and Rangers Academy.
• After sufficient training, leading animal experiences.
• Leading activities around the zoo.
• Helping to design public programmes.

The perfect fit:
• Someone with a keen interest in conservation education.
• Some confidence in public speaking.
• Good communication skills.
• Flexibility and adaptability – this is a diverse role!
• Someone who is kind, patient and a team player.
• Willingness to work some weekends and evenings.
• Willingness to work through bank holidays and school holidays.

Find out more here.

Dartmoor Zoological Society is seeking placement students for the role of ‘voluntary research assistant’ for the 2025-26 academic year.

Candidates must be undertaking an animal or zoo-related degree, environmental science or psychology degree, be highly
motivated and forward thinking. In return you will gain experience within a BIAZA accredited zoo research
department, receiving regular tutorials from professional zoo staff.

The main responsibilities for this role include:
• Assisting the research department and representing the zoo in a positive, forward-thinking manner that will enable the department to be highly productive.
• To conduct, analyse and write up at least one research project whilst at the zoo with the guidance of the Research Officer.
• To be trained to collect data for any ongoing research projects currently being carried out by the research department.
• To present your research to staff at Dartmoor Zoo.
• You may have the opportunity to represent Dartmoor Zoo at relevant zoo conferences and present your research findings.

Current and previous research topics include assessing the impact of visitor talks on animal behaviour, determining whether an overnight feeder is beneficial for dik dik, evaluating auditory enrichment for otters and birds, evaluating enrichment for tapir and assessing an enclosure move on the behaviour of an iguana.

Find out more here.

Dartmoor Zoo is seeking placement students for the role of ‘Keeper Assistant’ for the 2025-2026 academic year.

Placements will help with daily husbandry routines of the animal collection under the direction of the Keepers, Senior Keeper and Animal Manager. You will assist the keepers with some of their daily duties, working with a wide range of mammal, bird and reptile species.

We ask for a minimum of 3 days a week for 6 months. However we can accept up to full time (5 days a week) for up to 12 months.

This will include, but not be limited to, the following tasks:

• Preparing and distributing food and water to the animals, following prescribed diets
• Washing of dishes, cleaning of kitchens, keeper yard, equipment and enrichment items
• Sorting food, invertebrate, hay and straw deliveries
• Maintaining high standards of cleanliness in all animal enclosures, public viewing and off-view areas
• Monitoring the animals carefully for any behavioral, reproductive or medical problems
• Providing enrichment specific to the species requirements to fulfil their natural behaviours
• Basic DIY, small fixes and repairs
• Assisting with the capture and restraint of animals when needed, whilst minimising the stress on the animal
• Adhering to all prescribed safety and emergency procedures to ensure the safety of animals, staff and the visiting public

Find out more here.