Billabong Zoo is a family owned and operated zoo set on a picturesque ten acres on the outskirts of beautiful Port Macquarie.
We have grown rapidly over the past 20 years as our collection has diversified from primarily Australian natives to a variety of exotic species including primates and small and large carnivores.
With around 100 species and over 270 animals on site, the zoo employs around 35 staff across many departments.
The Zoo is currently undergoing some restructuring and has an exciting opportunity for experienced and passionate zookeepers to join our team on a permanent and full-time basis.
Working 38 hours per week including some weekend days and public holidays.We are a small and dedicated team committed to conservation through education and strive to form connections between our guests and ambassador animals during keeper presentations and up-close encounters.
This hands-on approach allows our guests to develop a strong appreciation for our native and exotic wildlife and provides the perfect opportunity for us to encourage our visitors to take action and support the work of our conservation partners and international conservation efforts.The zoo itself is overseen by our two managers who work hand in hand with the directors to push our vision and conservation messaging forward.
Our animals and grounds are cared for on average by around 11 zookeepers and two maintenance staff.
The zookeeping team is currently led by four team leaders that are each responsible for an allocation of the zoo's animals.
Billabong Zoo has been undertaking a period of restructuring over the past six months and is looking for as many as two new qualified zookeepers to join our team.
We encourage those with paid experience in the zookeeping industry to apply, particularly if you have experience in caring for birds, reptiles (native and/or exotic), amphibians, primates, and/or small exotic carnivores such as meerkats, fennec foxes, red pandas, and small-clawed otters.
Currently, the zoo is seeking new team members specifically for the care of these species.
However, in the spirit of restructuring, we welcome all those with paid zookeeping experience to apply, outlining their industry experience in their application.
It may be that by repositioning some of the current wonderfully skilled and talented zookeeping team members we already employ, we could accommodate your specific skill set and experience within our team.
We ask for a minimum of 12 months paid industry experience as a prerequisite.
However, if you have extensive industry experience, we still encourage you to apply as we are open to applications and potentially roles within our organization for those ranging from junior to senior levels.
See below criteria:Essential Criteria:Minimum 12 months+ paid experience in the zookeeping industry.Certificate 3 in Captive Animal Management (or higher/equivalent).Experience conducting personal animal encounters with patrons of a zoo or wildlife park inside and outside animal exhibits.Demonstrated ability to maintain thorough records in a zoological workplace, both digital and paper-based.Paid experience caring for any of the following in a zoological setting: reptiles, amphibians, birds, primates, or small exotic carnivores.Willing to work weekends and public holidays as required.C class driver's license.Ability to work in a highly physical role.Desirable Criteria:Working With Children's Certificate / Current First Aid certificate.Ability to drive manual vehicles.The ability to administer and monitor the administration of medications and treatments provided to captive animals.Experience delivering keeper talks to the general public.Experience leading and training staff in a zookeeping setting.Demonstrated ability to service, handle and restrain venomous snakes in a zookeeping setting.Experience with large crocodilians, including feeding, cleaning, and demonstrating for the general public.Please send a written application with the subject line "Zookeeping Position" to ****** to apply.Include your resume with two work-related phone contactable referees, a cover letter of no more than one page, and no more than one page addressing the "essential criteria." If this ad is still live on the ZAA careers page, the role is still open, so please apply as soon as you can.Due to the high quantity of applicants we receive, not all applicants will move on to the second round of the recruitment process to be interviewed.
However, we would like to thank all who have shown interest in the role.
If you progress, you will be asked to attend an interview via Zoom and will receive a link via email.
This can be done with most mobile phones, tablets, and laptops.
Information regarding wages and rostering will be provided during this interview, and any questions you may have about the role can be answered at this time.We are excited to receive your application!Billabong Zoo Management Team.
#J-18808-Ljbffr