Team Leader Birds -
Auckland Zoo
Rare opportunity to
work at one of the world's leading zoos
Contribute to the in
situ conservation of New Zealand wildlife
Unique chance to
work regularly in the field.
Auckland Zoo is
proud of its commitment to the World Zoo and Aquarium Strategy. Sign up to our
team and help "build a future for wildlife".
We are currently
seeking a Team Leader to manage the bird team and collection at the Zoo.
As a key member of
the Zoo's Life Sciences team, the Team Leader's role is to ensure that the
staff, facilities and animals associated with the this section are managed to
achieve excellence. Working under the Curator of Ectotherms and Birds, the
primary focus of the role is to oversee the Zoo's bird collection, providing
best practice husbandry, contributing to our understanding of the biology of
these species and delivering attractive animal exhibits and meaningful
encounters to our 700,000+ annual visitors. You will also be expected to help
identify, develop and deliver significant bird research and conservation
programmes in the field.
Auckland Zoo's $15
million New Zealand precinct - Te Wao Nui - opened in September 2011. Te Wao Nui is a journey through six
geographic zones and the flora and fauna of each. The focus on native species provided by Te
Wao Nui also catalyses many new opportunities for the zoo to contribute to the
conservation of New Zealand wildlife, both directly and indirectly. Around 25-30 New Zealand bird species are
managed by the bird team, at least three of which are actively involved in
breed-to-release programmes. The bird team is also responsible for the care of
a small collection of exotic birds, predominantly Australian psittacines, and
will take an active role in developing this aspect of the collection further in
line with the Zoo's masterplan.
This is a unique
opportunity to play a key role in the development and direction of the Zoo's
bird collection, to actively contribute to conservation both in the zoo and in
the field, and to work in the zoo and/or in the field with some of the world's
most threatened bird species, including brown teal and blue duck, fairy terns
and shore plover, kaka, takahe, kokako and even kakapo.
The successful
candidate will have:
Excellent
interpersonal skills and demonstrated leadership and team building strengths
Recognised
qualifications in captive animal management and/or zoology/biology
A minimum of 5 years
aviculture experience in a senior/supervisory position
A track record of
innovative husbandry and captive research
Strong management
skills with emphasis on working to time and budget constraints
Demonstrated ability
to deliver excellent customer service
Commitment to and
understanding of the World Zoo Conservation Strategy 2005
Experience of
project planning and management
Aptitude for and
interest in undertaking field work
If you have proven
relevant animal husbandry experience, can actively manage a team of
professional zoo staff through strong leadership skills and a desire to achieve
conservation outcomes through your zoo-based career, then this is the
opportunity you have been waiting for.
High priorities for this position include playing a key role in the
development and delivery of visitor experiences and contributing to the overall
strategic management of the zoo by actively participating as a member of the
Life Sciences team.
Please note: This
role is deemed a safety sensitive position and will require pre-employment drug
testing.
Applications for
this role close Sunday 31 January 2015 at 10.30pm
Click
HERE for
further details
Many Thanks
