Dudley Zoo recruiting Santa Claus and elves for Christmas grotto
Fancy working as Santa Claus or one of his elves this Christmas period?
Dudley Zoo & Castle is currently on the search for a Santa Claus and elves to work in their Christmas grotto during December.
With the festive period right around the corner, the attraction is recruiting for their grotto which starts on December 1, and will run up to December 24, Christmas Eve.
Organisers said they are hoping to recruit around ten people as Santa's elves, and just one extra Santa to put on the big red suit.
A spokesperson said: "We’re hoping to recruit around ten people as Santa’s elves, who have plenty of festive cheer and love Christmas!
"Duties will include dressing up and interacting and improvising with families before and during their visit to see Father Christmas and helping spread some Christmas magic during the experience.
"We’re hunting for one extra Santa, as we already have a number recruited. But remember there’s only one Father Christmas!!!!"
It is the first time that the Christmas grotto is running inside the 11th century Dudley Castle following the Covid pandemic and it will be running with a theme called 'The Chronicles of Dudley Castle'.
The daily event will be running from Thursday, December 1 until Saturday, December 24, Christmas Eve.
Tickets for the event start from £15 for children aged one and above, and £15 for adults - admission includes a visit to Santa and a special gift, along with entry to the 40-acre zoo site, where visitors can spend the day seeing the animals, including Santa's reindeer.
DZC Retail Manager, Isobel Blackwell, said: “Our grotto has been a popular event in thousands of families’ Christmas countdown celebration for decades and we’re so pleased to be able to reinstate the experience in the magical surroundings of Dudley Castle again following a two-year absence due to covid restrictions.
“Tickets are already selling well and we can’t wait to welcome Santa and his elves back to DZC in a few weeks’ time.”
On the Dudley Zoo website, it states that it is looking for a Santa Claus to work in their popular and busy grotto during December.
Previous experience in a customer-service capacity or similar is an advantage according to the listing.
For the role of the elves, the duties will include meeting and greeting children and adults before and during their visit to Santa, and ensuring that the guests all have a positive experience.
Both jobs require candidates to be available to work weekends and weekdays, on a five out of seven day rota.
The full listing states: "Dudley Zoo & Castle is looking for Santa Claus to work in our very popular and busy grotto during December.
"Previous experience in a customer service capacity or similar will be an advantage.
"Successful candidates will have plenty of Christmas cheer and Ho! Ho! Ho!
"Duties will include meeting and greeting children and adults, ensuring they all have a positive experience.
"Relevant induction and training will be given where required.
"It is necessary that you are available to work weekends and weekdays on a rota basis, starting from 1st December through to 24th December.
"Applications via e-mail or in writing, including CV, should be made to :
"Dudley Zoo & Castle, Castle Hill, Dudley, West Midlands DY1 4QF
"Email: admin@dudleyzoo.org.uk
"Closing date for applications : 31st October 2022"
The full listing for the role of the elves says: "Dudley Zoo & Castle is looking for Santa’s Elves to work in our very popular and busy grotto during December.
"Previous experience in a customer service capacity or similar will be an advantage.
"Successful candidates will have plenty of Christmas cheer and Ho! Ho! Ho!
"Duties will include meeting and greeting children and adults before and during their visit to see Santa Claus, ensuring they all have a positive experience.
"Relevant induction and training will be given where required.
"It is necessary that you are available to work weekends and weekdays on a 5 out of 7 days rota basis, starting from 1st December through to 24th December.
"Applications via e-mail or in writing, including CV, should be made to :
Dudley Zoo & Castle, Castle Hill
Dudley
West Midlands DY1 4QF
Email: isobel.blackwell@dudleyzoo.org.uk
Closing date for applications : 31st October 2022
Interviews will be via Microsoft Teams week commencing 31st October 2022.
