Interested in a career working within a zoological collection?
Our careers hub provides you with more information about working within zoological education, animal husbandry and welfare and what it’s like to work at Knowsley Safari.
You’ll find information about our latest vacancies as well as answers to some of the frequently asked questions we receive, and we also provide some tips and advice on the recruitment process and what we look for in an applicant. For more information on our applicant privacy notice here.
We hope that you find the careers hub to be a useful portal of information for those of you wishing to work within a zoological collection, and here, at Knowsley Safari.
Available Positions
If you are looking for a career where you would be part of an organisation that actively tries to make a difference in the natural world by inspiring and connecting our communities to benefit all of those generations still to come, then Knowsley Safari could be the place you’ve been searching for.
This amazing feeling and call to action is something which our staff care so passionately about. We focus on making a positive impact on our guests, our animals, our community and our people.
We are Knowsley Safari, and we are the leading paid for visitor attraction in the city region with over 600,000 guests visiting us each year. Our enthusiastic and expert team do amazing work to inspire and connect our communities with the natural world for the benefit of future generations. Our aim is to be an exemplar in the zoological industry and to other large visitor attractions, we want to be the best!
To achieve that goal, we want to have the very best people working with us and as such our Animal Team is growing! If you share our passion for caring for animals, conservation, research, education, and providing our guests with the best day out ever, connecting them to the natural world, then please do get in touch, we’d love to hear from you.
As a Ungulate Keeper, you will join our animal team to help deliver the highest standards of animal husbandry and animal welfare. You’ll work collaboratively to maintain excellent facilities, communicate openly and accurately, and provide a welcoming, engaging experience for our guests.
The Role
The Recruitment Pack for this role which includes more information along with the job description can be downloaded here.
How to apply
Please send your CV to recruitment@knowsley.com by the closing date of midnight on Sunday 13 September 2026. Interviews will take place w/c 21 September.
As a Carnivore Keeper, you will join our animal team to help deliver the highest standards of animal husbandry and animal welfare. You’ll work collaboratively to maintain excellent facilities, communicate openly and accurately, and provide a welcoming, engaging experience for our guests.
The Role
The Recruitment Pack for this role which includes more information along with the job description can be downloaded here.
How to apply
Please send your CV to recruitment@knowsley.com by the closing date of midnight on Sunday 13 September 2026. Interviews will take place w/c 21 September.
If you’re interested in working in a fun, vibrant and totally different environment unlike any other then becoming part of our team may be for you. We’re looking for ‘people who love people’ as we hope that each and every guest who visits Knowsley Safari experiences “The Best Day Out Ever”. This centres on positive guest engagement, being respectful and welcoming, understanding and empathetic, and relies on you using your initiative to enhance their experience.
We want personalities who are fun and engaging with our guests and who are determined to deliver a wonderful experience to every guest, leaving them with memories that last forever.
If you think that you’d be an asset to our team, then ask yourself these questions:
Can you?
Smile and be friendly and welcoming;
Display enthusiasm and initiative;
Proactively engage with children and adults.
Are you?
Confident and hardworking;
Fun and engaging;
If you answered yes to all of the above, then you could be joining our team in the following areas:
Catering, Rides, Hosts, Stewards, Reception and Admission
If you are successful with your application, you must be willing to work on a flexible basis. Hours will vary depending on the needs of the business and time of the year. Working days will include weekdays, weekends, bank holidays, and school holidays. At certain points in the year, there will also be a requirement for some evening work.
How to Apply
If you think that you are the ideal Safari Team Member then submit your recent CV including full contact details (name, mobile number and email address) along with a short message detailing why you believe you are suited to the role to: knowsley@wearearc.co.uk. You will receive a pre-screening interview with Arc Hospitality Recruitment before being invited to our next interview day with us on site.
Student Placements and Work Experience
For students who are planning a career within the zoological community, Knowsley Safari’s work experience opportunities are a fantastic opportunity to learn from our experienced staff within an outstanding Safari Park environment.
At this time we only offer the advertised placements and are therefore unfortunately unable to accommodate any other requests that do not meet the criteria or commitment as outlined. Please read all information carefully before emailing or applying.
Placements are available for students aged 18 or over who are studying any veterinary course that require either a one- or two- week placement as part of their studies.
Placements are approximately 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday.
Availability is limited, and placements are offered during June, July, and August of each year.
At Knowsley Safari, our main Vet will be on site two days a week, during which time placement students will have the opportunity to shadow and observe their work. For the remainder of the placement, students will be based with our Carnivore and Ungulate teams supporting keepers with a range of daily husbandry tasks.
Typical duties include enclosure cleaning, animal behaviour monitoring, food preparation and enrichment provision. This placement provides valuable insight into both veterinary and animal keeper roles within a busy zoological collection.
How to Apply
Please send your completed application form (download here) to k.mcdonald@knowsley.com from October the year before you want a placement.
Please ensure that you add ‘Veterinary Placement Request’ in the subject line.
We do not accept speculative placement requests, and such requests sent to this email that do not meet the veterinary criteria will not be responded to.
At present, we do not have any work experience opportunities available for students under the age of 18.
When opportunities do become available, they are designed to provide an insight into the operation of a busy visitor attraction and conservation organisation.
Please note that these placements do not involve direct work with animals.
We encourage students, parents, and schools to keep an eye on this page for future updates and opportunities.
VOLUNTEERING
Volunteers play an important role in helping Knowsley Safari connect people with nature and inspire positive action for wildlife conservation.
Volunteering offers a rewarding opportunity to contribute to our mission while gaining valuable experience within a unique Safari Park environment.
Our volunteer opportunities are suitable for individuals who are enthusiastic, reliable, and passionate about wildlife and conservation.
Please review all volunteer role information carefully before applying, as requirements, availability, and commitments may vary throughout the year.
Become a volunteer with the Red Squirrel Recovery Network (RSRN), based at Knowsley Safari, and help support vital conservation work across the region. Volunteers play an important role in engaging with local communities, raising awareness, and monitoring squirrel populations.
A variety of roles are available to suit different interests, skills, and levels of experience.
How to Apply
Please send your completed application form (download here) to redsquirrel@knowsley.com
Please ensure that you add ‘RSRN Volunteer Request’ in the subject line of your email.
We do not accept speculative volunteer requests, and such requests sent to this email that do not meet the RSRN criteria will not be responded to.
