Role:  Trainee Keeper - Casual - Taronga Western Plains Zoo

Casual Trainee Zookeeper, Taronga Western Plains Zoo

• Located at Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Wiradjuri Country, Dubbo
• Casual Trainee Zookeeper Positions available
• Taronga Conservation Society Australia Salaried Employees Award – Trainee Keeper Grade 1

 Looking to secure a shared future for wildlife and people? Want to pursue a career in Zoo Keeping?

Taronga is looking for experienced, driven and motivated Casual Trainee Zookeepers to join a leading organisation in conservation, education, animal management and transformational guest experiences.

There are casual positions within all divisions at Taronga Western Plains Zoo;

Division 1 – This includes hoof stock such as Addax, White Rhino, Giraffe and many other species of antelope.

Division 2 – This includes a diverse range of species from Australian natives, Primates and Lions and Tigers.

Division 3 – This includes the Black Rhino, Cheetah, African Wild Dog, Galapagos Tortoise & Otter breeding programs

Division 4 – This includes the Asian Elephant Herd.

Division 5 – This includes Bilby, Regent Honey eater, Plains Wanderer and Chuditch (Western Quoll), Platypus, Education animals (Ringtail Possum, Black footed tree rat, Snakes, Turtles, Lizards, Insects and frogs)

Our employees enjoy generous employment conditions including:

• Complimentary family and friends passes across both Mosman and Dubbo sites
• A wide range of discounts on our award winning accommodation
• Discounted food and beverage purchases across the sites
• Discounted fitness passport
• Full uniform and PPE supplied
• Free on-site zoo car parking

About the role…

The successful individuals will deliver high quality animal husbandry and management practices for the Taronga animal population and convey environmental and conservation messages to provide inspiring and educational messages to our visitors. The successful candidates will have experience working as part of a team to deliver leading care and husbandry to a variety of native and/or exotic species (depending on division placed on), to ensure positive health and welfare of Taronga’s Wildlife Population.

Key accountabilities…

• Work under the supervision of others to safely provide high quality animal husbandry and management techniques in line with Taronga policies and procedures to assist Taronga in meeting WHS and animal care and welfare targets and in complying with all relevant legislation.
• Comply with Taronga's Animal Welfare Charter to ensure industry leading standards of animal welfare are maintained and animals in our care are assured of Taronga's 5 Freedoms.
• Communicate Taronga's education and conservation messages both internally and externally, ensuring all communications align with Taronga's values to inspire behavioural change in accordance with Taronga's vision and strategic pillars.
• Deliver high quality customer services experiences in order to provide excellent guest experience and promote repeat visitation.
• Work effectively as a member of a high performing team including peers, volunteers and students to assist Taronga in its achievement of strategic outcomes.

Comply with sustainability practices in the workplace to help achieve Taronga's sustainability targets and reduce environmental impact.

We are looking for candidates that have:

• NSW C Class Driver’s License (or ability to transfer current unrestricted license), automatic and manual
• Vaccinations against Zoonotic disease (in accordance with Taronga's Zoonotic disease vaccination matrix) including pre-employment Q - Fever, TB Screening and Tetanus
• Up to 4 years of paid animal husbandry related experience
• Obtain and maintain a current paid NSW Working with Children Check at own expense.

Desirable qualifications:

• Demonstrated ability to work within a team, proven experience providing high quality care for animals, have effective communication and strong presentation skills.
• Certificate lll in Captive Animal Management or equivalent
• Work experience (this may include volunteer work) with animals in a commercial or not for profit operation, be available across weekdays and weekend shifts as well as public and school holiday periods and have worked in a role responsible for working with customers and/or members of the public.

To Apply:

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter of no more than one page. You are also required to complete the two target questions as part of your application;

1. Outline your relevant experience in Zoo Keeping and meeting best practice Husbandry.
    
2. Taronga has a commitment to achieving wildlife conservation outcomes. Provide us with some examples of how you have contributed to wildlife conservation in your previous roles.

Applications close: 11:59pm, Monday 24 February 2025