Cornwall Badger Project Field Technicians

ZSL is hiring Field Technicians for the Cornwall Badger Project in London, UK. This hands-on role involves badger vaccination and sampling in West Cornwall, focusing on conservation efforts. Responsibilities include liaising with landholders, conducting site surveys, and managing data. Candidates should have biological fieldwork experience and a clean driving license. The position is a 6-month fixed-term contract, requiring 35 hours of work per week.
Purpose of the role

We are seeking a dedicated Field Assistant to support the Cornwall Badger Project. This hands-on role offers a unique opportunity to assist in the field delivery of badger vaccination and sampling. Based out of our field office in Penzance, Cornwall, the position primarily involves working across West Cornwall, contributing directly to vital conservation efforts. This work plays a crucial role in driving habitat restoration and creating meaningful change as part of the ZSL strategy, directly contributing to the preservation of wildlife and the environment for future generations.

This position is offered as a 6-month fixed-term contract, working 35 hours per week.

Key responsibilities:
• Landholder Communication: Liaise with farmers and other landholders to arrange land access.
• Site Surveys: Conduct surveys to assess badger activity in designated areas.
• Trap Deployment & Fieldwork: Assist with deploying badger traps and support trapping, vaccination, and sampling efforts, ensuring all activities align with project goals, licenses, and best practice guidelines.
• Data Management: Assist with accurate and timely data entry to support project documentation.

About You
• Previous experience in biological fieldwork, preferably in agricultural environments.
• A full, clean driving licence, with experience in off-road driving being an advantage.
• A good tolerance for early starts and flexibility in working hours.
• Excellent people skills for liaising effectively with landholders, volunteers, and other stakeholders.

This role is subject to standard pre-employment checks, including the candidate’s right to work in the UK.

We strongly encourage applications from all backgrounds and celebrate the value of having a team of employees with diverse skills, experiences, and heritage. We are committed to ensuring our teams can bring their authentic selves to work without fear of discrimination. ZSL has active equality networks for our staff with lived experience and those who provide active allyship in Race and Culture, Team Pride, Disability Network, and Menopause Network, complemented by our strategic EDI Steering Group.

About Us

We’re ZSL, an international conservation charity. Through our unrivalled animal experts in our two zoos (London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo), the work of our pioneering scientists, our dedicated conservationists, our purpose is to inspire, inform and empower people to stop wild animals going extinct. Our vision is a world where wildlife thrives and we’re working every day to achieve this. From investigating the health threats facing animals, to helping people and wildlife live alongside each other, we are committed to bringing wildlife back from the brink of extinction.

What do we offer?

At ZSL, we are proud of our approach to employee benefits. Our benefits include:
• Our vision and purpose – you’ll work alongside colleagues who are passionate about science-led conservation, knowing that you will help us to inspire, inform and empower people to stop wildlife going extinct
• Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) – The contributions for the USS scheme are 8% employee contribution and 18% employer contribution.
• Flexible working – talk to us about your flexible working requirements and we will do everything we can to make sure you work in a way that suits you
• Holidays – 25 days annual leave allowance, plus UK bank holidays
• Wellbeing – access to a blended programme of wellbeing initiatives, including confidential access to our 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
• Life assurance – eligible employees will be enrolled in ZSL’s life assurance scheme from their first day
• Complimentary tickets – annual allocation of Whipsnade Zoo and London Zoo tickets, with a 30% discount in online and retail shops
• Cycle2Work – our cycle to work scheme enables you to lease a bicycle
• Season ticket loan – we offer an interest free loan for eligibly London-based employees to buy a season ticket for travel between home and work
• Family friendly policies – we offer enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption packages

NB: We reserve the right to close our advertisement early or extend the advertising date until a suitable candidate has been found.