Opportunities to gain real world experience are useful and rewarding, providing the chance to develop both personally and professionally.
Programmes:
Here at Colchester Zoo we want to be able to assist in providing these opportunities and help with career progression for people who are passionate about working with animals.
For all our placements we are looking for people who are:
- Able to financially support themselves for the duration on the placement period.
- Genuinely interest in all aspects of animal husbandry and conservation
- Willing to engage with all forms of learning and make the most of the opportunities provided
- Willing and able to work individually and as part of a team
We do not host short term placements (less than 10 weeks) or one day a week placements.
Applications for 10 weeks, 3 months and 6 months work experience placements to take place in 2025 are now CLOSED. Applications for 2026 will open in Sept 2025.
Applications for the 12 month placements are CLOSED. Applications will open in March 2025
Placements are based on one animal section and follow zoo operational hours (40 hours per week) with placements taking place for 5 days out of 7 on a rotational basis, including weekends. Places are granted following an application and an assessment process.
Applicants can indicate which animal taxa they would prefer to focus on during their placement, however due to the nature of the Zoo’s layout, animal sections cover multiple taxa. This means there isn’t a team that exclusive looks after big cats or hoofstock. For example the team we call Tigers have birds, reptiles, primates, inverts, hoofstock as well as tigers.
The placement focus animal taxa are:
- Hoofstock
- Carnivores
- Birds
- Semi-Aquatic Species
- Reptiles
- Primates
Elephants:
Placements on the Elephant Section are only available between April and September. If you are interested in a placement on this section, please note the following:
- Work placements focus on enrichment creation and provisions, diet preparation, and enclosure upkeep.
- The section is very physical, candidates will need to have a good level of fitness and stamina.
- There is no contact with the elephants. Colchester Zoo follows a protective contact policy. This means no one, including elephant staff, can be in the same space as the elephants and there must always be a barrier between the elephants and people. Under this policy, people on work placements cannot have any contact with the elephants.
Placements:
Work experience placements will help to maintain high levels of the animal welfare, wellbeing, and health. To aid in the care and maintenance of the animal enclosures to ensure high standards of hygiene and safety. To aid in all aspects of diet preparation and presentation. Support and take part in the designing and implementation of appropriate and safe enrichment. To support the education work done at the Zoo in the form of public talks and encounters. To aid in the maintenance of the public areas around the Zoo to help ensure a pleasant and safe environment for staff and visitors.
All of our placements are unpaid voluntary roles and we are unable to provide accommodation. Places available are limited and each place is offered subject to a successful application process.
We do not host short term placements (less than 10 weeks) or one day a week placements.
Colchester Zoo offers block placements only of:
10 weeks – only for students who require an industry placement for their course
This placement is only available to people who are enrolled on an animal related course and are required to complete an industry placement as part of their course.
You must be 17 years old or older to apply. Placements can take place at any time of the year (between January 2025 and December 2025), as long as you are able to complete the 10 weeks as a block.
Requirements:
• 17 years old or older
• Enrolled on, or have completed a QCA recognised animal/conservation based course
• Able to attend full-time, 5 days, on placement per week which may include weekends
How to Apply
Applications are now CLOSED. Applications for 2026 will open in Sept 2025.
A current CV must be submitted along with the application form to be considered
3 months (12 weeks) or 6 months (24 weeks)
These placements are available to people who are enrolled on or who have completed an animal related qualification. These placements offer opportunities to gain practical experience to build on theory and gain insight into working with animals in a zoological setting.
You must be 17 years old or older to apply. Placements can take place at any time of the year (between January 2025 and December 2025), as long as you are able to complete either a block of 3 months or 6 months.
Requirements:
• 17 years old or older
• Enrolled on, or have completed a QCA recognised animal/conservation based course
• Able to attend full-time, 5 days, on placement per week which may include weekends
How to Apply:
Applications are now CLOSED. Applications for 2026 will open in Sept 2025.
A current CV must be submitted along with the application form to be considered
12 months – student Keeper
Applications for the 2024-2025 Programme are CLOSED.
The Student Keeper Programme is a yearlong placement undertaken within our animal keeping sections. Alongside the hands on practical learning, there is a full formal learning programme allow you to expand your knowledge and gain an insight into the theory of zoo animal husbandry as well as developing professional skills.
Subject areas include Nutrition, Welfare, Ethics, Habitat Design, Business as well as many more.
The placement period runs from the start of August to the end of July the following year. Within the 12 months, an additional 4 weeks off placement is provided.
Applications will open in Mar 2025 to start in Aug 2025.
More Information
Requirements:
• 18 years old or older
• Enrolled on, or have completed an accredited animal/conservation based course
• Minimum QCA recognised level 2 diploma
• Some limited animal experience (farm, stable, rescue centre etc)
• Able to attend full-time, 5 days, on placement per week which may include weekends
How to Apply:
Applications are now CLOSED
Student Keeper Testimony
I had dreamed of being a zookeeper as a child, and enjoyed regular visits to Colchester Zoo. I was lucky enough to be offered a Student Keeper placement, working on the sea lion section, which involved caring for Patagonian sea lions and Humboldt penguins.
Before starting the programme, I was expecting to learn how to look after the species on my section, and the different skills that are needed to work in a zoological environment. However, by the time I finished at Colchester Zoo I had gained so much extra knowledge and learned new skills that I hadn’t expected. As well as gaining experience on section, I also expanded my knowledge of zoos during the workshops with the education team.
Working directly on section really made me feel like part of the team, and I became good friends with the keepers on my section and the other student keepers. Since finishing the programme, I have been working as a trainee keeper at a different zoo. The skills and experience I gained from the course were vital for securing the job, and I still use things I learnt at Colchester Zoo on a regular basis. I have decided to study for a master’s in conservation and biodiversity. The animal experience I gained from the programme helped with my application, and I am expecting to use the knowledge I acquired by working with animals in my studies.
Annette Coster
Please note:
All of our placements are unpaid voluntary roles and we are unable to provide accommodation.
Places available are limited and each place is offered subject to an application process.
If your application is accepted you will be contacted after the closing date with details of how to progress to the next stage of the selection assessment.
If you have not heard from us within two weeks after the closing date, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.
We do not host short term placements (less than 10 weeks) or one day a week placements.
