Role:  Veterinary Officer - Taronga Wildlife Hospital

Taronga Zoo Sydney is looking for an experienced Veterinary Officer to join our Wildlife Operations team!

• Located at Sydney’s Iconic Taronga Zoo – Cammeraigal Country
• Ongoing, full time position
• TCSA Salaried Employees Award, Clerk Grade 9/10, Annual Package salary range from $146,736 to $161,698 (includes base salary ranging from $129,464 to $142,665 + 12% superannuation)

About the Role…

The Veterinary Officer plays a key role in delivering veterinary care across Taronga’s animal population and admitted wildlife.

Working under the clinical direction of the Senior Veterinarian, this role contributes to preventative medicine programs, provides routine, emergency and complex clinical care, and supports conservation, research, education and external veterinary services.

This position operates within a dynamic, fast-paced clinical environment, requiring the ability to prioritise competing and often urgent cases while maintaining high standards of animal welfare and professional practice.

As part of a multidisciplinary veterinary team the Veterinary Officer supports the health and welfare of Taronga animal population and contributes to the treatment and rehabilitation of native wildlife, as well as providing professional advice and guidance to external organisations and agencies.

Key Aspects of the Role include...

• Providing veterinary triage, treatment and rehabilitation for sick, injured and orphaned native wildlife, as part of a service that treats over 1000 animals annually

• Delivering veterinary care within a purpose-built, public-facing Taronga Wildlife Hospital, where guest engagement and education are integrated into daily operations

• Working collaboratively with a network of internal subject matter experts, including pathologists, scientists and nutritionists, as well as external veterinary specialists to manage complex cases.

• Support the education and training of undergraduate and post graduate veterinarian students.

Key Accountabilities…

• Deliver veterinary care by providing routine, emergency and preventive clinical services to maintain the health and welfare of Taronga’s animal population and admitted wildlife.
• Implement and contribute to preventative medicine programs, ensuring effective application of protocols and supporting continuous improvement initiatives under the guidance of the Senior Veterinarian.
• Contribute to clinical decision-making by assessing animal health issues, applying subject matter expertise, and escalating complex or high‑risk cases to the Senior Veterinarian as required.
• Provide veterinary advice on reproductive management, biosecurity animal movements and transport, in alignment with established clinical protocols and organisational priorities.
• Maintain accurate and comprehensive medical records and contribute to research, monitoring, and evidence-based decision-making processes within the Taronga veterinary team.
• Support guest engagement and educational activities within the Wildlife Hospital, ensuring interactions reflect high standards of animal care, professionalism and accurate veterinary information.
• Participate in undergraduate and post graduate veterinary and zoological education, training and research.
• Provide expert advice on zoological and wildlife matters to outside organisations and individuals in the form of consultancies, lectures and written material as approved by management.

About You…
We are looking for candidates that have:

• A bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Veterinary Science and eligibility for full registration with the Veterinary Practitioners Board of NSW 
• Board certification and/or post-graduate qualifications in zoo and wildlife medicine or conservation medicine (preferred). 
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in zoo and wildlife veterinary medicine, including the implementation of preventive health programs. 
• Experience in the treatment and rehabilitation of native wildlife. 
• Demonstrated knowledge of zoo animal husbandry, biosecurity and management practices.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team and engage effectively with a broad range of stakeholder relationships. 
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to translate technical information to a broad range of audiences
• Demonstrated ability to set priorities, plan and co-ordinate daily activities in an animal health care setting. 
• Pre employment TB screening, Q Fever, Rabies and Tetanus vaccinations (required prior to commencement).  
• Current paid NSW Working with Children Check (WWCC) or ability to obtain 
• NSW Class C Driver’s License and ability to drive a vehicle
• Current NSW Tranquilliser Firearms Permit or ability to obtain 

Benefits…

Our employees enjoy generous employment conditions including some of the following:

• Complimentary family and friends’ passes across both Taronga’s Sydney & Dubbo Zoo’s
• Full Taronga Zoo uniform
• Free onsite car parking, outside of peak periods
• A wide range of discounts on our award winning accommodation across both sites
• Discounted food and beverage purchases across the sites
• Discounted Fitness Passport
• We’re a social team - there’s always lots going on around the zoo that we get involved with!
• + more!

We Value Diversity…

Taronga is an equal opportunity employer, where we recognise the diversity of our workforce and community – be it on the basis of gender, age, culture, religion, language or personal circumstances.

Taronga is also committed to building on the perspectives, experience, knowledge and skills that this diversity brings to our organisation.

About Applying…

Please submit your resume and a cover letter of one page. You are also required to complete the two target questions as part of your application.

Target Question 1) A wild, adult, male koala presents to the Taronga Wildlife Hospital for veterinary evaluation following being struck by a car. After stabilising the koala and conducting a complete physical examination under anaesthesia, you establish that the koala has a ruptured left ocular globe, a non-displaced diaphyseal fracture of the left tibia and is 10 years old. The rehabilitator who presented the koala believes it may be suitable for release following treatment.

Please describe your approach to considering options for managing this case including welfare considerations, communication with the rehabilitator, prognosis for release and other factors that would influence your recommendations.

Target Question 2) You have been asked to provide advice to a native amphibian recovery program following the diagnosis of disseminated mycobacteriosis in several individuals housed in a breed for release program at Taronga Zoo. The recovery program wishes to proceed with the time-sensitive release of captive bred individuals and transfer of several frogs to other institutions for breeding purposes.

Describe how you would reach a decision on what advice to give, what that advice would be and your approach to communicating this information to recovery team.

Applications Close: 11:59pm Tuesday 30 June 2026