Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Team Leader Birds - Auckland Zoo



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




Please mention ZooNews Digest should you apply for this post

Many Thanks


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