Conservation Internship - Zoos Victoria

Zoos Victoria; Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 61,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Zoos Victoria, based at Melbourne Zoo, invites you to join the Baillieu Myer Conservation Internship program as a field-focused Conservation Intern. Two full-time fixed-term positions for 12 months (mid‑January 2027 to mid‑January 2028) offer hands-on experience with our Fighting Extinction initiatives, alongside scientists across conservation planning and ex‑situ programs.

Applicants should have recently completed a bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline with a GPA of Credit or above and be

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline recently completed.
• GPA of Credit or above.

Responsibilities

• Assist with on‑the‑job conservation research and field work alongside Zoos Victoria scientists.
• Participate in conservation planning, ex-situ programs and recovery teams.
• Undertake research addressing knowledge gaps or key questions related to Fighting Extinction species.

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline

Job description

2 x Full-Time Fixed term positions for 12 months (mid-January 2027 to mid-January 2028)

Based at Melbourne Zoo with some work-from-home flexibility and field work as needed

Salary range: Band 2, Step 3 - $68,287 per annum + 12% superannuation

Kick start your conservation career now!

Zoos Victoria operates four landmark zoos - Healesville Sanctuary, Melbourne Zoo, Werribee Open Range Zoo and Kyabram Fauna Park. Zoos Victoria is made up of passionate, energetic and driven employees committed to fighting wildlife extinction. Every person, from the extensive range of disciplines, plays an important role in helping the organisation realise its vision to become a world leading zoo-based conservation organisation.

Through our Baillieu Myer Conservation Internship program, we have two positions within our Conservation and Science team. If you have recently completed your course of study in an environmental or biological discipline and are looking to get some on the job experience, we would be interested in hearing from you.

Over the course of the internship, the Intern will build on prior experience and gain new field-based research skills and techniques while working alongside Zoos Victoria scientists and assisting with our Fighting Extinction programs. As an Intern, you will participate in conservation planning and reviews, ex-situ zoo-based programs and recovery teams. You will also undertake research focusing on knowledge gaps or key research questions associated with Zoos Victoria's Fighting Extinction species.

Established in 2023 with a gift from the Sidney Myer Fund, Zoos Victoria would like to acknowledge and thank all philanthropic Conservation Partners involved in supporting this important program, empowering young scientists with the skills and experience needed to protect Victoria's most threatened species, to continue in 2027 and beyond.

You must have at least completed a bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline recently and have a good academic performance (GPA of Credit or above).

Job applicants are required to be Australian Citizens or Permanent Residents or hold a valid Australian working visa to be considered for this position.

Must meet fitness requirements of the role able to work in arduous conditions and for extended periods in the field.

For more information on this role, please refer to the position description available via our careers site.

If you have any questions about this role, please contact Chris Hartnett, Manager Fighting Extinction Projects and Planning at @zoo.org.au .

Applications close at 11.59pm on Friday 6th November 2026.

Zoos Victoria welcomes applications from people with diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds and people with disability. In addition, Zoos Victoria will provide reasonable adjustments for individuals with disability, illness or injury. If you require adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process,please advise via @zoo.org.au or visithttps://www.zoo.org.au/about-us/careers/inclusion-and-diversity/for more information.

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Our vision is to be the world’s leading zoo-based conservation organisation.

Mission

Our mission is to galvanise communities to commit to the conservation of wildlife and wild places. We will achieve this by connecting people and wildlife in the following ways:

Opening the door by providing exceptional wildlife encounters that reach beyond the boundaries of our campuses

Leading the way by communicating and demonstrating the role of conservation and research in all we do

Catalysing action through inspiring experiences that motivate participation, leading to conservation and sustainability outcomes

Source: This is an extract from the company's own website.

Vision

Our vision is to be the world’s leading zoo-based conservation organisation.

Mission

Our mission is to galvanise communities to commit to the conservation of wildlife and wild places. We will achieve this by connecting people and wildlife in the following ways:

Opening the door by providing exceptional wildlife encounters that reach beyond the boundaries of our campuses

Leading the way by communicating and demonstrating the role of conservation and research in all we do

Catalysing action through inspiring experiences that motivate participation, leading to conservation and sustainability outcomes

Source: This is an extract from the company's own website.