British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA)
Volunteer Farm Keeper
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Battersea Park Children's Zoo
South East
Closing date for applications is: 22nd Jul 2026
Contact: Lizzy Humphries (lizzy.humphries@batterseaparkzoo.co.uk)
Sector: Animal Care
Type: Volunteer
Contract type: Part-time
Salary: N/A
About The Role
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our team as a Volunteer Farm Keeper at Battersea Park Children’s Zoo. The section plays an active role in rare breed conservation, with annual contributions to breeding groups, as well as educating our inner city visitors about the importance of sustainable farming.
We are looking for a motivated individual to assist the animal teams with their daily routine. The volunteer will learn to care for the farm animals to a high standard, under the supervision of the animal team as well as carry out additional tasks around the rest of the zoo if needed. There is potential to ultimately train on other sections for the right candidate.
Species held on the section
- Oxford Sandy and Black Pigs
- Bagot Goats
- Various rare breed chickens
- Valais Blacknose Sheep
- Donkeys
- Shetland Pony
- Red-necked wallaby
- Patagonian Mara
- Guinea pigs
- Rabbits
- Emus
Daily Tasks
Role
In this role you will work alongside our zookeeping team. You will assist in many tasks relating to animal husbandry and zoo upkeep. These tasks may include the following:
- Cleaning enclosures (this takes up the majority of the day)
- Zoo upkeep – including washing windows, weeding, bark chipping, leaf collecting and pond cleaning
- Helping to prepare and distribute food. This also includes sorting food deliveries.
- Maintaining our keeper areas e.g. feed rooms, yards and storage barns
- Preparing, distributing and cleaning enrichment devices.
- You may get the chance to observe training sessions, basic veterinary care, health monitoring (e.g. weighing). These opportunities do not always arise and cannot be guaranteed.
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Please read this section before applying and consider carefully if a volunteer role is right for you.
We mainly care for animals that do not enjoy or tolerate close human contact – if you are expecting to be handling, grooming or playing with animals then this is not the role for you.
Zookeeping is physically demanding and you must be prepared to be on your feet for the majority of the day. Elements of the role require heavy lifting and so a moderate level of fitness is required. You must also be prepared to be outside in all weathers and occasionally may have to work in areas with high temperature and humidity.
We work in an environment that exposes us to many known allergens including (but not limited to) nuts, wheat, eggs, crustaceans etc. This also includes environmental allergens such as pollen, hay, dust, animal fur etc. Please consider this in your application.
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Required Skills
- Experience of working with animals is preferred.
- Enthusiasm and an interest in animals and conservation.
- Ability to work independently and in a team, and be confident to ask for assistance when needed.
- Ability to work calmly and sensitively in animal environments.
- Good levels of physical fitness – this involves working in environments that are both hot and humid, cold and wet.
- Good levels of English to enable clear communication and understanding.
- Good initiative and a willingness to learn, follow instructions and communicate.
- Commitment to ongoing training.
Commitment to role
This placement is a minimum of 1 day a week for 1 year. Hours are 8:30am-5:30pm in summer and 8:00-5:00pm in winter.
Apply For This Job
Please email the following to lizzy.humphries@batterseaparkzoo.co.uk with the subject heading "Volunteer Farm Keeper":
- CV
- Cover letter outlining why you wish to volunteer at Battersea Park Children's Zoo and what you would bring to the role
Successful applications will be invited for the next stage, which is an interview and trial day. We will do our best to reply to as many applicants as possible, however, it might not always be possible. Therefore, should you not have heard from us within a month of the deadline, then please assume your application has been unsuccessful.
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