General Keeper (Africa) – Australia Zoo

Australia Zoo; Beerwah; On-site; AUD 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

Australia Zoo is seeking an experienced Zoo Keeper to join the Africa team in a full-time capacity. The role focuses on care and well-being of animals, maintenance of exhibits, and delivering daily demonstrations when applicable.

The successful applicant will work in a high-performance environment with strong teamwork, a clear work ethic, and initiative, including weekend and holiday availability. A manual driver's license and vaccination proof are required.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years captive husbandry experience.
• 7 days a week availability (including weekends and holidays).
• Fit for physical work, enthusiastic, mature, confident and proactive.
• Current Manual Driver’s License.
• Proof of Q-fever vaccination (unless exempt).

Responsibilities

• Care for animals in your section and maintain exhibits.
• Assist in daily husbandry and habitat cleaning.
• Deliver keeper talks and demonstrations when applicable.
• Liaise with HOD/POC on daily instructions and concerns.
• Ensure animal welfare, enrichment, diets and environment meet standards.

Skills

Teamwork

Communication

Work ethic

Physical fitness

Tools

Driver's License

Job description

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Zoo Keeper to join the Africa team in a Full time Capacity!

Australia Zoo is an equal opportunity employer, where we recognise the diversity of our workforce and community – be it on the basis of gender, age, race, sexual orientation, or religious belief. We provide specific workplace programs to support diversity and equal employment opportunities for women, people with disabilities and all cultural backgrounds.

As a General Keeper, you have primary responsibility for ensuring the care and well-being of the animals in your section. You must also be understanding and sensitive to the needs of the animals in your care.

You are also responsible for the animals’ exhibits, maintenance, landscaping and presenting at daily demonstrations where applicable. At Australia Zoo, keepers continually work towards providing improved facilities and care for their animals. They do this with enthusiasm and motivation toward their individual learning and training.

A successful applicant will have a demonstrated ability to work in a high performance environment, with a capacity to deliver all requirements of the role, great work ethic and the ability to work to a high standard within a team.

Duties Include:

• Assist in meeting the operational requirements of the department by ensuring appropriate direction of the POC/HOD is followed.
• Complete food preparation for the animals assigned to your care, and understand the dynamic of the species dietary requirements.
• Complete daily husbandry requirements of the department by ensuring appropriate direction of the POC/HOD is followed and ensure cleaning and maintenance of animal habitats are completed daily.
• Liaise with your HOD/POC regarding any daily instructions and concerns that may occur.
• Ensure the highest quality of animal welfare is provided to all animals in your care (including enrichment, diets, conditioning and environment).
• Deliver daily public demonstrations and keeper talks when applicable.
• Demonstrate strong written and verbal communication skills, and ensure appropriate record keeping expectations are met for the animals in your care (including diaries, verbal communication and ZIMS).
• Assisting veterinarians and medical staff with relevant procedures when directed by the HOD.
• Ensure husbandry requirements of the species are met.
• Maintain a high standard of service by ensuring great customer service and cleanliness.
• Ensure an understanding of the 5 domains and accreditation process to ensure the positive welfare of the animals.
• Understand the components of operant and classical conditioning and training; including why these techniques are utilised.
• Understand the natural history of species in your care and ensure appropriate care is provided at all times.
• Understand the individual history of species in your care and ensure appropriate care is provided at all times.
• Demonstrated understanding of the importance of hygiene and biosecurity requirements.
• Demonstrate continual self-development/motivation/enhancement by ensuring all department induction manuals and training documents are completed appropriately.
• Actively collaborate with team members, communicate effectively and offer assistance whenever possible.
• Ensure all workplace health and safety guidelines relevant to the role are followed appropriately.
• Promote a positive team culture through the promotion of the Australia Zoo vision and mission.
• Minimum 2 years captive husbandry experience.
• 7 day a week availability, including weekends, public holidays and school holidays.
• Applicants must be fit for physical work, enthusiastic, mature minded, confident, well-presented and able to demonstrate a high level of work-ethic and initiative.
• Current Manual Driver’s License.
• Proof of Q-fever vaccination (unless otherwise exempt).

Here is a checklist of information you will need to have ready before you start to complete the employment application form:

• Education history
• Employment history
• References
• Any qualifications you may have eg First Aid
• Any achievements you may like to tell us about
• your availability (what hours can you work)
• A resume in .pdf format
• Any other info that may support your application