Closing date: Monday 16 November 2026
Salary: Competitive, Dependant on Experience Plus Desirable Benefits
Full Time, Permanent Position
Primarily based at Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve
Are you wild about creating memorable experiences?
Do you want to work in a place where you can hear calls from troops of howler monkeys, or the roars from a pride of lions?
The Site Services Trade team at Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve and Howletts Wild Animal Park is looking for a Painter & Decorator to join our team. As a Painter & Decorator, you will be responsible for maintaining high presentation standards across our parks, including guest accommodation, public areas, operational buildings and estate facilities. This will involve carrying out a range of internal and external decorating works, including surface preparation, filling, sanding, painting and finishing, as well as supporting refurbishment and improvement projects.
While painting and decorating will be your primary focus, you will also be expected to support the wider Site Services team with general maintenance callouts and other maintenance tasks across the estate when required. You will work closely with colleagues and other departments to ensure all work is completed safely, professionally and to a high standard, with minimal disruption to our guests, colleagues and animal welfare. You will also be expected to follow the Site Services maintenance workflow, keeping track of assigned tasks, communicating any delays or additional requirements, and helping to maintain the overall appearance, condition and operation of our parks.
A full job description is available on request.
Who we are looking for:
We are looking for an experienced, practical and reliable Painter & Decorator with a strong background in painting and decorating within a maintenance, construction, estates or commercial environment. You will have experience carrying out internal and external decorating works, including surface preparation, repairs and finishing, with a good eye for detail and pride in delivering a high-quality finish. You will hold an NVQ Level 3 in Painting & Decorating (Decorative Finishing), or an NVQ Level 2 / City & Guilds Level 2 qualification alongside demonstrable experience of planning and scheduling work. A full UK manual driving licence and a good understanding of Health & Safety and safe working practices are also essential.
Experience within hospitality, accommodation or other public-facing environments, along with supporting refurbishment projects, would be advantageous. Additional qualifications such as PASMA, IPAF, Asbestos Awareness or First Aid at Work would also be beneficial. You will be organised, self-motivated and confident working independently, with a flexible approach to supporting the wider Site Services team with general maintenance tasks when required. You should take pride in your work, communicate well with others and be able to manage changing priorities while minimising disruption to our guests, colleagues and animal welfare.
Contract details:
The hours of work are 40 hours per week, worked five days out of seven on a rota basis. Normal shifts will be scheduled between 7:00am and 8:00pm. Flexibility is required to work early starts, evenings and weekends, with occasional out-of-hours support and shift cover as required by the needs of the business.
All applicants must have the right to work in the UK. A reliable mode of transport is recommended due to our remote location. The role will be predominantly based at Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve, with occasional work required at Howletts Wild Animal Park.
The location:
Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve is a world-renowned wild animal park set within 600 acres of Kentish savannah. The Reserve is home to some of the world’s most rare and endangered animals and offers luxury short breaks accommodation, free roaming animal safaris, once-in-a-lifetime animal encounters and exquisite dining experiences. Our sister park, Howletts Wild Animal Park is located near Canterbury and set within 90 acres of land. Howletts is home to over 300 rare and endangered species, including Kents only giant anteaters, the largest herd of African elephants in the UK, and more gorillas, leopards and monkeys than any zoo in the county! Most importantly, every one of our employees is part of real conservation in action and their efforts have contributed to animals such as black rhino and western lowland gorillas being returned to their natural habitats in collaboration with our partners at The Aspinall Foundation.
Why you should join us:
We’re on a mission to create memorable experiences that matter, and our Core Values ‘One Team’, Customer’ and ‘Pride’ are what drive us each day to become part of something extraordinary. As well as walking to work surrounded by the calls of Howler monkeys and the roars from our pride of Lions, you will join a supportive team who are passionate about their place of work. Be part of the Port Lympne and Howletts family and join our pride.
You can also expect a host of other benefits including:
- 28 days annual leave inclusive of bank holidays, rising with length of service. (Pro-rata to start date and working hours)
- Comprehensive training and development opportunities, including workshops and e-learning
- Enhanced Sickness, Maternity and Paternity Policies.
- Unlimited free entry for you and a person of your choice into both of our parks as well as friends and family tickets.
- Exceptional discounts on food, retail and accommodation at our parks.
- Numerous retail discounts and access to a 24-hour counselling line through our Healthy Extras Scheme.
- And many more length or service-related rewards and Benefits.
(Please note, this role may close early if we receive a high volume of applications.)
To apply: Please email your CV along with a covering letter to beng@howlettsandportlympne.com
Visit our website at www.aspinallfoundation.org to find out more about us.
Internal applicants will be given priority for interview before external applications are considered.
