Keeper - Ungulates TWPZ

Taronga Zoo; Dubbo; On-site; AUD 55,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible hybrid work model

Complimentary passes for TarongaSydney

Complimentary passes for Taronga Dubbo

Free onsite parking

Discounts on accommodation

Discounted food & beverage

Fitness Passport

Social team environment

Job summary

Taronga Western Plains Zoo (Dubbo) is seeking an Ungulate Keeper to join our team and care for large mammals with a focus on welfare, enrichment, and safety. You’ll help ensure daily husbandry, implement training plans, and contribute to conservation messaging for visitors.

You’ll work within a collaborative team, delivering high-quality guest experiences and supporting welfare monitoring, habitat upkeep, and enrichment initiatives across ungulate species.

Qualifications

• NSW C Class Drivers Licence (or ability to transfer current unrestricted license)
• TB Screening
• Obtain and maintain a current paid NSW Working with Children Check at own expense.

Responsibilities

• Work under the supervision of others to safely provide high quality animal husbandry and management techniques in line with Taronga policies and procedures to assist Taronga in meeting WHS and animal care and welfare targets and in complying with all relevant legislation.
• Comply with Taronga's Animal Welfare Charter to ensure industry leading standards of animal welfare are maintained and animals in our care are assured of Taronga's 5 Freedoms.
• Communicate Taronga's education and conservation messages both internally and externally, ensuring all communications align with Taronga's values to inspire behavioural change in accordance with Taronga's vision and strategic pillars.
• Deliver high quality customer services experiences in order to provide excellent guest experience and promote repeat visitation.
• Work effectively as a member of a high performing team including peers, volunteers and students to assist Taronga in its achievement of strategic outcomes.
• Comply with sustainability practices in the workplace to help achieve Taronga's sustainability targets and reduce environmental impact.

Job description

At Taronga Zoo in Sydney and Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo, we lead conservation efforts in the field and participate in regional and global conservation breeding programs to establish insurance populations for species threatened in the wild. We also operate two wildlife hospitals that treat and rehabilitate injured native wildlife, as well as providing best practice health care for the animals at our Zoos.

Taronga has a deep commitment to conservation science. In Australia and internationally, we work with universities, governments and conservation partners to respond to challenges impacting wildlife and people. We also have a proud tradition of delivering conservation education programs that increase knowledge and awareness and inspire students to become global leaders in conservation. Taronga receives support from the NSW Government and the Taronga Foundation. Established in 2000, the Taronga Foundation raises funds for conservation, education programs and wildlife in our care.

• Located at Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo, New South Wales
• Ongoing Full-time position
• TCSA Salaried Employees Award, annual package ranging from Trainee Keeper to Senior Keeper - depending on experience
  Annual base salary starting from $54,669 (Trainee keeper) to $94,755 (Senior Keeper) + 12% Superannuation and leave loading where applicable

Taronga Western Plains Zoo is on the lookout for a passionate and dedicated Keeper to join our world-class team! If you're motivated, eager to learn, and ready to make a real impact in conservation and wildlife care, this is your chance to be part of something extraordinary.

About the Role…

We're looking for someone who's not only passionate about wildlife but also committed to delivering the highest standards of animal care and inspiring our guests through meaningful conservation storytelling.

As an Ungulate Keeper, you'll be responsible for the daily care and welfare of some of the zoo's most iconic and socially complex species. Working as part of a close-knit team, you'll support the physical, behavioural, and psychological wellbeing of our ungulates through best‑practice husbandry and positive reinforcement training.

You'll bring hands-on experience working with large mammals, a strong understanding of animal behaviour and safety protocols, and the ability to contribute to enrichment planning, habitat maintenance, and ongoing welfare monitoring. Just as importantly, you'll be a confident and engaging communicator — helping connect our guests to the vital conservation work supporting ungulates in the wild.

This is a rare opportunity to play a meaningful role in Taronga's commitment to securing a shared future for wildlife and people.

• Work under the supervision of others to safely provide high quality animal husbandry and management techniques in line with Taronga policies and procedures to assist Taronga in meeting WHS and animal care and welfare targets and in complying with all relevant legislation.
• Comply with Taronga's Animal Welfare Charter to ensure industry leading standards of animal welfare are maintained and animals in our care are assured of Taronga's 5 Freedoms.
• Communicate Taronga's education and conservation messages both internally and externally, ensuring all communications align with Taronga's values to inspire behavioural change in accordance with Taronga's vision and strategic pillars.
• Deliver high quality customer services experiences in order to provide excellent guest experience and promote repeat visitation.
• Work effectively as a member of a high performing team including peers, volunteers and students to assist Taronga in its achievement of strategic outcomes.
• Comply with sustainability practices in the workplace to help achieve Taronga's sustainability targets and reduce environmental impact.

About You…

We are looking for candidates that have:

• NSW C Class Drivers License (or ability to transfer current unrestricted license)
• TB Screening
• Obtain and maintain a current paid NSW Working with Children Check at own expense.

Our employees enjoy generous employment conditions including some of the following:

• Flexible Hybrid work model - Taronga supports a blend of in-office, remote, and on-the-go workers!
• Complimentary family and friends passes across both Taronga's Sydney & Dubbo Zoo's
• Free onsite car parking,
• A wide range of discounts on our award winning accommodation across both sites
• Discounted food and beverage purchases across the sites
• Fitness Passport
• We're a social team - there's always lots going on around the zoo that we get involved with!
• + more!

Taronga is an equal opportunity employer, where we recognise the diversity of our workforce and community - be it on the basis of gender, age, culture, religion, language or personal circumstances.

Taronga is also committed to building on the perspectives, experience, knowledge and skills that this diversity brings to our organisation.

We offer:

Together, we take on meaningful projects and work towards our shared vision of a better and wilder future. It's all about the mini moments that contribute to our mighty mission and shape our collective success.