Overview
Wildlife Welfare Programs Lead – Wildlife Conservation & Science Jobs in Parkville, Victoria, Australia at Zoos Victoria
Title: Wildlife Welfare Programs Lead – Wildlife Conservation & Science
Company: Zoos Victoria
Location: Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Fixed term part-time (3 days a week) up to 30 June 2027
- Salary from $103,517 p.a. full-time equivalent + 12% superannuation
- Based at Zoos Victoria Corporate offices in Melbourne Zoo
- Regular travel, including overnight and multi-day trips required
Zoos Victoria operates four landmark zoos, Healesville Sanctuary, Kyabram Fauna Park, Melbourne Zoo and Werribee Open Range Zoo. Victoria's zoos are made up of passionate, energetic and driven employees committed to fighting wildlife extinction. Every person, from the extensive range of disciplines, plays an important role in helping the organisation realise its vision to become a world leading zoo-based conservation organisation.
As part of Zoos Victoria's Wildlife Conservation and Science team, Wildlife Welfare Programs draws on the organisation's expertise in wildlife health and welfare to support free‑ranging native wildlife impacted by day‑to‑day emergencies, disasters and emergency animal diseases.
The Wildlife Welfare Programs Lead plays a key role in leading and delivering these initiatives, including the Wildlife Outreach Program, disaster and emergency animal disease preparedness, support for DEECA's Wildlife Emergency Response Network, and Zoos Victoria's partnership with the Conservation Regulator.
Key accountabilities of the role:
- Lead and contribute to the delivery of Zoos Victoria's Wildlife Welfare Programs and expanded outreach initiatives.
- Strengthen preparedness and response to wildlife disasters and emergency animal diseases.
- Provide technical expertise and support to internal teams, partners and Wildlife Liaison Keepers.
- Build and maintain strong partnerships with government, sector organisations and First Nations peoples.
- Support the delivery of projects on time and within budget, evaluating outcomes to ensure sustainable programs.
The ideal candidate will have:
- Relevant qualification in wildlife care or veterinary nursing (Certificate III Wildlife – Exhibited Care or Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing), or equivalent (tertiary qualification desirable).
- Strong project management, communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Ability to work flexibly, manage changing priorities and meet deadlines in a dynamic environment.
- Knowledge of animal welfare, biosecurity, and relevant wildlife and animal disease legislation.
- Practical experience in animal husbandry, wildlife response, fieldwork or disaster response.
- Experience working collaboratively across teams and with diverse stakeholders (experience with Traditional Owners or community engagement desirable).
- Current driver's licence, Working With Children Check, and willingness to undertake multi‑day field trips
For more information on this role, please refer to the position description available via our careers site.
Please submit a maximum two page cover letter, and resume by clicking on the 'Apply' link below.
If you have any questions about this role, please contact Fiona Ryan, Senior Manager Wildlife Welfare Programs – [email protected]
Applications close COB 13 May 2026.
At Zoos Victoria we value diversity, celebrate difference and work to be inclusive in everything we do. We welcome applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, people with disability and people from the LGBTIQA+ community. In addition, Zoos Victoria will provide reasonable adjustments for individuals with disability, illness or injury. If you require adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, please advise via [email protected] or visit https://www.zoo.org.au/about-us/careers/inclusion-and-diversity/ for more information.
