Overview

Taronga continues to build its expertise in wildlife conservation, education, community engagement and animal care and welfare, to tackle some of the most pressing issues that humanity and our planet face.  Taronga has an important role and responsibility in the protection and restoration of nature through targeted action and our unique opportunity in being able to inspire and engage two million guests to our two Zoos each year.

Our employees enjoy generous employment conditions including:

  • Complimentary family and friends passes
  • A wide range of discounts on our award winning accommodation
  • Discounted food and beverage purchases across the site
  • Reduced rates for other services including animal encounters
  • To discover more about the benefits of working at Taronga, please visit our website here.

About the role…

This position sits within the Welfare, Conservation and Science Division and reports to the Divisional Director. The position is responsible for leading and managing Taronga strategy and operations in wildlife health including Taronga’s preventative healthcare programs, pathology, nutrition, wildlife rescue and rehabilitation, as well as some of the operations that support the delivery of guest experience. This role is responsible for the Vet and Vet Nurse teams (across both Taronga Zoo and Taronga Western Plains Zoo), Nutrition Department and Pathology, including the Australian Registry of Wildlife Health. The position also leads the safety, maintenance, policy and regulatory requirements in relation to these functions (including those related to biosecurity) across both Taronga Zoo and Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo. It is also responsible for strategy and continuous improvement with regard to these areas and Taronga’s growing remit in Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation.

Key accountabilities…

  • Manage a multi-disciplined team, building a strong, skilled team, capable of delivering on Taronga’s strategic vision and objectives.
  • Manage the relationships between Taronga Wildlife Health departments and the other divisions within the organization, including liaising with relevant stakeholders and overseeing the implementation of Taronga’s conservation, animal welfare, guest experience strategies and capital plan in relation to wildlife health, rescue and rehabilitation.
  • Set divisional, team and individual goals that are aligned with Taronga’s vision, strategic plan objectives and leadership team opportunities to optimise staff commitment and performance.
  • Oversee departmental recurrent budgets and implement appropriate initiatives and structures for the delivery of world’s best practice in wildlife health, nutrition, rescue and rehabilitation.
  • Ensure the divisions compliance with relevant legislative regulations and standards concerning wildlife health and biosecurity.
  • Lead the safety culture within the team and organisation. Is responsible for ensuring all safety policies, procedures and practices are conscientiously current, followed and developed to ensure a safe work place for all.
  • Complies with and suggests 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:

  • Tertiary qualifications in health, animal or conservation biology, animal management or other related discipline or an equivalent combination of knowledge, skills and experience
  • Demonstrated capacity to coordinate, lead and motivate staff of a multi-disciplined team.
  • Demonstrated capacity to manage budgets and generate business opportunities.
  • NSW Drivers licence or equivalent
  • Ability to have or obtain a relevant firearms licence
  • Obtain and maintain a current paid NSW Working with Children Check at own expense.

About applying…

We value your safety, and the privacy of your information. Please only apply for this position via http://www.iworkfor.nsw.gov.au/. This is the only legitimate website to apply via, and the only website whereby applications will be accepted.

Please submit your resume and a cover letter of one page.  You are also required to complete the two target questions as part of your application.

  1. In this role you will have to be able to manage complex communications that involve understanding technical information and responding to multiple and divergent viewpoints. How have you approached this in previous roles? How have been able to navigate through issues to influence win-win outcomes?
  2. Please provide an understanding of the background that you bring to the role that will allow you to translate strategic direction into operational goals. How will you lead a large team of subject matter experts through prioritisation to maximise outcomes for Taronga and wildlife?

Applications must be completed via http://www.iworkfor.nsw.gov.au/ using the reference number 000089U8 or searching the word Taronga. For more information in relation to the vacant position please contact Danni Alty via recruitment@zoo.nsw.gov.au

To review a copy of the role description, please visit the careers page of the Taronga website http://www.taronga.org.au