Work Experience and Volunteer Placements
For many years, Paradise Park has been actively involved in the training of animal care, veterinary & conservation students, helping them to gain valuable experience in a busy animal collection and tourist attraction.
We have an excellent reputation for quality education and training, with plenty of practical “hands on” experience working with the birds and mammals.
Commitment
Due to the high demand on places, quality of training and amount of time to administer, all our work experience and volunteer placements consist of a minimum of ten days over a two-week period and will include at least two weekend days. Animal care work is not a Monday to Friday job and our work experience reflects this.
We also accept a limited number of volunteers who can commit to a minimum of ten days by completing one or two days a week – please specify this as a preference in your application.
PLEASE NOTE: All work experience students and volunteers must be aged 18 or over. Do not apply unless you will be over 18 when you hope to start a placement.
Applying
To apply, please fill in this form and send to: education@paradisepark.org.uk
Unfortunately we have to turn down a lot of applications but if you are successful, an interview date will be arranged and, if accepted, dates of your placement will be confirmed.
We take UK and international students, but for overseas students we do expect a reasonable level of English for communication purposes and a time commitment of at least four weeks.
Prior to beginning, we will send you an information pack and you will need to complete a short questionnaire to show your understanding of this. Please note: if you do not complete this questionnaire at least seven days before you begin your placement, this will result in retraction of your placement offer.
We need all applicants to be well-organised and apply as far in advance as possible as we have limited time to set up placements. There may be times when we cannot take applications due to other commitments as a wildlife centre and busy visitor attraction.
The Role
Volunteers work closely with our Animal Care Staff and any type of work experience at the Park will be physically demanding. Some feeding routines can also be quite complex, so both a good level of physical fitness and education are required.
Please read the following document HERE for more information about the role.
TYPES OF VOLUNTEERING
Student Work Experience
We accept applications from students who are studying on any type of Animal Care, Zoology or Conservation course, or from any Veterinary College. Please apply well in advance (at least six months in advance if possible!) as these placements are taken up very quickly, and we usually have a very high demand for such placements during term time. We also welcome students outside the normal term times between June and the end of September. If staff need to come and see you during your placement, please let us know so we can arrange a mutually convenient date and time to speak to them.
Voluntary Placements
Voluntary and general interest placements are available at the Park. Applicants need to be over 18 years old, and we require written references from TWO sources with contact details provided. Please send these with the application form.
Estate Work Experience
We have a small number of opportunities for applicants over the age of 18 years old to work with our Ground Staff. The work will involve helping with all parts of maintaining the Park and the gardens. This type of placement would suit horticultural students and conservation students or anybody who would be generally interested in joining our grounds maintenance team.
Future Employment
Please note that, although we have employed former volunteers to our Animal Care Team, voluntary work does not lead to employment at the Park. Students and volunteers must demonstrate aptitude, dedication and commitment to be considered for any type of employment with us should vacancies arise.