Zoo Jobs: Casual Zoo Keepers

Casual Zoo Keepers

Taronga Conservation Society Australia

Taronga Conservation Society Australia Salaried Employees Award - Trainee Keeper Level 1 ($23.61 per hour, inclusive of casual loading)

Taronga Conservation Society Australia is currently taking applications for driven and motivated individuals who are interested in joining our team of Casual Keepers.

At Taronga, we believe in a shared future for wildlife and people. We are committed to conservation – creating a direct and positive connection between wildlife and people.

Our Casual Keepers are integral to our work – providing the highest standards of animal welfare to the animals in our care, furthering Taronga’s work in conservation to protect species and habitats, and delivering transformational guest experiences and encounters.

About the role…

Our Casual Keepers are responsible for safely providing high quality animal husbandry to a diverse range of native and non-native species in our care.

They are responsible for cleaning and feeding and other general duties within our standard routines and play a vital role in ensuring the ongoing operations of our organisation, filling in for our ongoing or temporary Keepers when required.

They have a high level of interaction with our guests and deliver transformational experiences and encounters (including presentations, animal encounters, walk-throughs and tours), helping us connect wildlife and people by increasing our guests’ understanding and awareness of our conservation messages and activities.

Our Keepers work closely with other areas of the Zoo on conservation, research and education programs aligned to our 2016-2020 Strategic Plan.

Our Casual Keepers work in our Wildlife Conservation & Science Division in one or more of our precincts:

Exotic Fauna Precinct - Includes Carnivores (Sumatran Tigers, Sun Bears, Meerkats), Asian Elephants, Primates (Chimpanzee, Squirrel Monkey, Lemur, Leaf Monkeys) and Ungulates (Giraffe, Hippo, Bongo). The team delivers our Sumatran Tiger Trek, Squirrel Monkey Walkthrough, Lemur Walkthrough, Meerkat and Giraffe Encounters and various keeper talks.

Australian Fauna Precinct - Includes Birds, Reptiles, Amphibians and Australian Mammals (Monotremes, Marsupials, Rodents, Bats). This team delivers our Koala encounters and our Australian Fauna ‘behind the scenes’ tours. The team also delivers some of Australia’s most awarded breed for release conservation programs.

Animal Presentation Precinct - Includes Great Southern Ocean (Seals, Penguins), Free Flight Birds, Backyard to Bush (including Institute, Reptiles, Amphibians, Birds, Marsupials, Monotremes, Small Primates, Hoofstock and Rodents). This team delivers our daily Seal and Bird Show and are other experiences on a daily basis.

Taronga Wildlife Hospital (Taronga Zoo, Mosman) – Keepers assigned to our hospital work with the Zoo Veterinary Nurses, providing patient care and quarantine services for a variety of zoo animals, and the treatment and rehabilitation of wildlife brought to the hospital. We also deliver ‘behind the scenes tours’ of the hospital. The team also includes clinical veterinarians, pathologists, and laboratory technicians to deliver veterinary care, diagnostic services, and participation in projects and programs across the Zoo.

About you…

To be successful, candidates will have demonstrated ability to work successfully within a team, proven experience providing high quality care for animals, have effective communication and strong presentation skills.

Successful candidates will have 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.

While the availability of casual hours is subject to operational needs, our preference is for candidates that have a minimum availability of at least 3 full days per week, including at least one weekend day. Preference will be given to candidates with more availability, spread across weekdays, weekends and school holidays.

To apply and learn more please click HERE