Assistant Curator — Lead Animal Care & Life Sciences

The Royal Zoological Society of SA Inc; Adelaide; Hybrid; AUD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Zoos SA in Adelaide is seeking an experienced animal professional to join its Life Sciences team as an Assistant Curator at Adelaide Zoo. This permanent, full-time role focuses on leading a high-performing team, delivering best-practice husbandry, and supporting visitor experiences and conservation messaging.

Reporting to the Curator, you will mentor staff, assist with planning, rostering, documentation, and act as Duty Manager on weekends and public holidays, with work across sections as needed.

Qualifications

• Minimum Certificate III in Captive Animals or equivalent.
• Leadership or supervisory/coordination experience.
• Strong animal welfare and husbandry experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and operational support to a high-performing Life Sciences team.
• Assist with best-practice husbandry, animal welfare and safety standards.
• Mentor and develop staff through coaching, training and feedback.
• Contribute to planning, rostering, documentation and fostering a positive team culture.
• Support engaging visitor experiences and conservation messaging.
• Act as Duty Manager on a rostered basis, including weekends and public holidays.

Skills

Leadership

Team coordination

Animal husbandry

Communication

Safety & welfare

Documentation

Planning

Team culture

Education

Certificate III in Captive Animals

Job description

Zoos SA in Adelaide is seeking an experienced animal professional to join its Life Sciences team as an Assistant Curator at Adelaide Zoo. This permanent, full-time role focuses on leading a high-performing team, delivering best-practice husbandry, and supporting visitor experiences and conservation messaging.

Reporting to the Curator, you will mentor staff, assist with planning, rostering, documentation, and act as Duty Manager on weekends and public holidays, with work across sections as needed.