Savannah Team Leader - Zoo Operations & Welfare

Environmental Jobs; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Zoos Victoria is seeking a Savannah Coordinator for the Werribee Open Range Zoo. This hands-on leadership role coordinates daily activities, ensures high standards of animal husbandry and welfare, and guides the team in enrichment and safety.

Working with the Curator, you’ll translate priorities into practical actions. You will lead by example, manage risks, and foster a collaborative, inclusive culture where staff feel supported to raise concerns and continuously improve.

Qualifications

• A minimum qualification of Certificate III or equivalent.
• At least five years' trade-level experience, demonstrating best-practice animal husbandry, welfare, behavioural training and enrichment.
• Demonstrated experience coordinating daily operations, allocating work and responding effectively to changing operational priorities.
• Demonstrated experience leading large teams, building a culture of compassion, trust, open communication and problem-solving.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain high standards of animal care and welfare while identifying, managing and escalating animal health, welfare and operational risks.
• Demonstrated interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build positive, participative relationships at team and individual levels and address concerns calmly and respectfully.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate daily team activities and ensure high standards of animal husbandry, welfare, training and enrichment.
• Provide proactive operational leadership, coaching keepers and leading by example.
• Collaborate with the Curator to develop and review strategic priorities and operational plans.
• Translate team priorities into consistent practice and take action to improve safety and welfare.
• Foster a respectful, inclusive, psychologically safe team culture and address concerns promptly.

Skills

Leadership

Team coordination

Communication

Education

Certificate III or equivalent

Job description

Zoos Victoria is seeking a Savannah Coordinator for the Werribee Open Range Zoo. This hands-on leadership role coordinates daily activities, ensures high standards of animal husbandry and welfare, and guides the team in enrichment and safety.

Working with the Curator, you’ll translate priorities into practical actions. You will lead by example, manage risks, and foster a collaborative, inclusive culture where staff feel supported to raise concerns and continuously improve.