Nutrition Assistant

Sydney Zoo; Sydney; On-site; AUD 52,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

Sydney Zoo in Western Sydney is seeking a Nutrition Assistant to support daily nutrition for the animal collection, preparing balanced diets and ensuring safety and hygiene. You’ll work with the Nutrition team to follow approved diet sheets, maintain high cleanliness standards, and contribute to animal welfare.

Weekend and public holiday shifts are required as the zoo operates daily. We value a proactive, detail-oriented approach and strong communication with students, volunteers, and work

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years paid zoo or equivalent industry experience.
• Sound knowledge of animal science: husbandry, nutrition, digestion, and hygiene.
• Minimum of three years in the zoo profession in a related field.
• Understanding of the role nutrition plays in animal welfare and the Five Domains.
• Understanding of Zoo’s strategy and future direction.
• Current driver’s licence.
• Experience in safe food prep, handling, storage and distribution per food safety standards.
• Ability to follow approved diet sheets and feeding protocols with attention to detail.
• Well-developed organisational and time-management skills.
• Strong verbal communication and interpersonal skills with students, volunteers and work experience participants.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and provide nutritionally balanced approved diets for the animal collection.
• Assist in efficient day-to-day operation of the nutrition department.
• Ensure diets are prepared accurately, safely and to established standards.
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness, hygiene and food safety in all nutrition areas.
• Work weekends and public holidays as Sydney Zoo is open daily.

Skills

Animal nutrition knowledge

Attention to detail

Time management

Verbal communication

Hygiene and food safety

Follow diet sheets

Driver's license

Job description

Nutrition Assistant at Sydney Zoo

Located in the heart of Western Sydney, Sydney Zoo strives to showcase a broad range of native and exotic animals using technology and advanced exhibit design, with a strong focus on animal welfare, conservation, and educating our visitors about animals and their habitats. Environmental and social awareness play a vital role in our message that highlights the indigenous culture and human influence on the environment.

The Position

The Nutrition Assistant plays a key role in supporting animal health and welfare by preparing and providing nutritionally balanced approved diets for the animal collection. Working as part of the Nutrition team, the position assists in the efficient day to day operation of the nutrition department, ensuring diets are prepared accurately, safely, and to established standards. The role also maintains
high standards of cleanliness, hygiene, and food safety within all nutrition preparation and storage areas.

Sydney Zoo is open every day of the year and this position will require the successful candidate to work some weekends and public holidays.

Skills, Knowledge, and Relevant Experience

Essential

• Minimum of 2 years paid experience in a zoo or relevant/equivalent industry.
• A sound knowledge of animal science in terms of husbandry, nutrition, digestive system and hygiene.
• A minimum of three years working in the zoo profession in a related field
• Demonstrated understanding of the role nutrition plays in ensuring a positive animal welfare state linked to the Five Domains
• Demonstrated understanding of the role of Zoo’s consistent with the strategy and future direction of SZ
• Holds a current driver’s licence.
• Demonstrated experience in the safe preparation, handling, storage, and distribution of food in accordance with food safety and hygiene standards.
• Ability to accurately follow approved diet sheets, feeding protocols, and established procedures with a high level of attention to detail.
• Well-developed organisational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritise tasks and meet daily operational requirements.
• Effective verbal communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to provide guidance and support to students, volunteers, and work experience participants.

Why should you join the Zoo Crew?

By joining the exciting Sydney Zoo Crew, you will not only be in close proximity to some of the most incredible animals native to Australia and across the world, but you will also join an amazing team of dedicated people! Our team are passionate, devoted, and heavily inspired by Sydney Zoo’s values and mission to deliver a world-class visitor experience that encourages the community to make a difference, and all with a smile!

We are very proud of our diverse team of staff that represent all the different backgrounds and cultures that call Western Sydney ‘home.’ We love the individuality across our team of people as much as we love the collection of animals we so proudly care for. Whether you are looking for your first job, wanting to jump back into the workforce, or simply need a stimulating change to shake up your career, we encourage you to take the next step and join in our vision to make a difference.

Sydney Zoo is committed to providing a positive workplace and fostering employee engagement and wellbeing. We know how important it is to recognise and thank our staff for making Sydney Zoo great and we do this by providing our team with free annual flu vaccinations, workplace massages, quarterly staff Town Hall's, training opportunities, access to Fitness Passport and fulfilling fundraising events, just to name a few! If you would like to become part of an amazing team that does all of this and so much more, then look no further... Sydney Zoo is for you!

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people with disability are encouraged to apply for all Sydney Zoo positions.

Sydney Zoo is a fully COVID-19 vaccinated workplace. We will require proof of your double vaccination status prior to commencement. Please contact us for general enquiries, including if you have any queries regarding our policy or to obtain a copy of the Sydney Zoo Vaccination policy.

Sydney Zoo is a Child Safe Organisation which means we require a valid NSW Working with Children Check (Paid Employment), or proof of application.

You can contact us by email [e-mail] or by phone to 7202 2560

Sydney Zoo is committed to the principles and practices of Equal Employment Opportunity and Cultural Diversity.