Wildlife Keeper

The Isaac Construction Group; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 48,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The Isaac Construction Group – Christchurch, South Island is seeking a Seasonal Wildlife Keeper on a fixed-term basis from October 2026 to March 2027 to cover the breeding season and bird release. You will assist with daily avian care, enclosure maintenance and grounds presentation at the Isaac Wildlife & Conservation Trust in Christchurch.

The role involves outdoor work, practical maintenance, and adherence to welfare procedures.

Qualifications

• Experience in conservation, farming, horticulture or grounds maintenance is advantageous.
• Genuine interest in wildlife, conservation and avian welfare.
• Practical maintenance and handy person skills for basic repairs and construction.
• Ability to safely use hand and power tools and maintenance machinery.
• Good physical fitness to work outdoors in varied weather and perform active duties.
• Strong observation and attention to detail when monitoring birds and facilities.
• Reliable, safety-conscious, and able to work well in a team.
• NZ driver license is essential (manual driving advantageous).
• Legal right to work in New Zealand.

Responsibilities

• Maintain wildlife enclosures, shelters, aviaries, habitats and facilities.
• Carry out general maintenance: repairs, painting, fencing, carpentry and grounds work.
• Use hand tools, power tools, machinery safely and appropriately.
• Support weed control, gardening, landscaping and grounds presentation.
• Maintain cleanliness, hygiene, biosecurity and presentation of avian facilities.
• Provide daily care for wildlife following welfare and conservation procedures.
• Prepare food, feed birds, clean enclosures and monitor behavior and wellbeing.
• Follow all health, safety, security, and environmental procedures.

Skills

Wildlife conservation

Maintenance skills

Hand tools

Power tools

Observation skills

Teamwork

Driver license NZ

Health & safety

Outdoor work

Tools

Hand tools

Power tools

Mowing equipment

Job description

The Isaac Construction Group – Christchurch, South Island

Contract

1d ago , from The Isaac Construction Group

About the Vacancy – Fixed Term - Seasonal Wildlife Keeper

We have an exciting opportunity for a practical and enthusiastic Seasonal Wildlife Keeper to join the Isaac Wildlife & Conservation Trust here in Christchurch on a Fixed Term basis starting in October 2026 until March 2027 covering the breeding season & release of our birds. This role will support the daily care and welfare of our endangered and critically endangered birds over our busy breeding season, as well as the maintenance and presentation of enclosures, grounds and facilities across the Trust.

Working closely with the wider team, you will carry out habitat and enclosure maintenance, cleaning and assist with avian husbandry. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys working outdoors, is committed to avian welfare and takes pride in maintaining safe, clean and well-presented environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintaining wildlife enclosures, shelters, aviaries, habitats, and associated facilities.
• Completing general maintenance and handy person duties, including repairs, painting, fencing, basic carpentry and grounds work.
• Using hand tools, power tools, machinery and equipment safely and appropriately.
• Supporting weed control, gardening, landscaping, mowing, vegetation management and general grounds presentation.
• Maintaining high standards of cleanliness, hygiene, biosecurity and presentation throughout the avian facilities.
• Providing daily care for wildlife in accordance with established avian welfare, husbandry and conservation procedures.
• Preparing food, feeding birds, cleaning enclosures and monitoring behavior and wellbeing.
• Following all health, safety, security, avian welfare and environmental procedures.

Skills & Experience

• Previous experience in conservation, farming, horticulture, grounds maintenance, building maintenance or a related practical role would be advantageous.
• Genuine interest in wildlife, conservation and avian welfare.
• Practical maintenance and handy person skills, with the ability to complete basic repairs and construction tasks.
• Ability to safely use hand tools, power tools, mowing equipment and other maintenance machinery.
• Good physical fitness and the ability to work outdoors in varied weather conditions and undertake active, manual duties.
• Strong observation skills and attention to detail when monitoring birds and facilities.
• Reliable, responsible and safety-conscious approach to work.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work positively as part of a team.
• Current full New Zealand driver license is essential/experience driving a manual is a definite advantage.
• Legal right to work in New Zealand.

Pre-employment and Eligibility

The successful candidate will be required to complete pre-employment checks, a medical assessment, (including drug and alcohol screening) and reference checks.

Working Hours:

8.00 am - 4.30 pm Monday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday, however some flexibility is required working other days during training & covering over staff rosters. (Includes Christmas & New Year Holidays)

Please contact Sara Swailes on 027 4398724.