Tātaki Auckland Unlimited

Date: 2 Mar 2025
Location: Central Auckland, NZ, 1010
Description:
He angitūtanga: The opportunity
Senior or Lead Keeper (Birds) | Permanent Full-time Position | 40 hours per week
Auckland is a global city with stunning scenery, wonderful beaches, and sub-tropical islands. It is also a city with one of the most progressive zoos in the world. Auckland Zoo’s mission is to ‘Bring people together to build a future for wildlife’.

Through science, learning & training, and strengthening our relationship with Te Ao Māori, we strive for excellence in animal care & welfare, conserve wildlife in the wild and nurture a lifelong connection with nature to enhance the well-being of our communities.

We are looking for a Senior or Lead Bird Keeper to join our Animal Care & Conservation team. This is an exciting opportunity for a dedicated professional with 5 + years of zoo-keeping experience to take on a leadership role, ensuring the highest standards of animal care and welfare while mentoring and guiding keepers across our animal sections.

The successful candidate will:
✅ Be responsible for the daily husbandry, care, and welfare of the animals in your section
✅ Support the Team Leader in operational and strategic leadership.
✅ Provide training, supervision, and mentorship to keepers
✅ Assist in exhibit planning and species action plans to enhance conservation outcomes.
✅ Engage with the public through talks, tours, and conservation advocacy.
✅ Ensure health and safety standards are upheld across all aspects of zoo operations.
✅ Participate in field conservation projects in New Zealand and abroad.

You will report to the Team Leader of your section.
Note: this position will be required to work some weekends and public holidays.
To review the full position descriptions, please click here: Senior Keeper and Lead Keeper

He kōrero mōu: About you
We are looking for looking for applicants with:
✅Proven leadership experience within a zoo-keeping or wildlife environment.
✅A minimum of 5 years’ experience in bird husbandry and zoo operations.
✅Relevant qualifications in biological/conservation sciences or zoo-keeping.
✅A passion for conservation and bird welfare, with in-depth knowledge of best practices.
✅In depth knowledge of avicultural skills
✅Strong communication and teamwork skills, with the ability to train and mentor others.
✅A high level of physical fitness, as the role involves working outdoors in all weather conditions.
✅Ability to obtain a Full New Zealand Driver’s License (manual preferred).

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou: What we offer.
Salary range: $75,352.16 (Senior) - $78,530.40 (Lead) per annum based on skillset and experience.

There is also an ever-growing range of discounts and partnership benefits, for a snapshot of these please click here: Benefits

We are a fun and enthusiastic team, who thrive in this challenging and rewarding area and who work in innovative areas on an international level.

Tono mo te mahi/To Apply
Please provide a bespoke cover letter (1 page max) and a concise CV (max. 3 pages)
You do not need to add your roles in the non-mandatory fields if your CV is up to date.
You must have, or be able to obtain, the right to work in NZ. If you will be applying for a visa we strongly encourage you to check your eligibility and further information via the NZ Immigration website as we are not able to provide you with immigration or visa advice. We are an accredited employer.
Applications close at 11.59pm on Wed 2 April 2025 NZST

If you have specific questions after reading the advert and PD, please contact: gina.seward@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.

Tātaki Auckland Unlimited is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) and we are committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of application to assist you through the recruitment process.

Employees in receipt of salary protection and/or on the predecessor Tātaki Auckland Unlimited terms and conditions of employment, please note that the salary protection and/or predecessor Auckland Unlimited terms and conditions, including relocation, apply to your current position. Should you change to a new position (other than any secondment) you will be issued with a new employment letter of offer with current Auckland Unlimited terms and conditions.

He kōrero mō Tātaki: About Tātaki
Tātaki Auckland Unlimited is part of the Auckland Council whānau, responsible for Auckland Live, Auckland Zoo, Auckland Conventions, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, New Zealand Maritime Museum, Auckland Stadiums, and many of the festivals and events that make Auckland a great place to live and visit.

Our people are driven by passion and a sense of service to Aucklanders. What we share is our love of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland and our passion about the work we each do to make it a dynamic and exciting place. 

Each part of Tātaki is important, but when we come together, we bind into something more powerful than the sum of our parts. We all work in partnership with each other and our delivery partners, to make Tāmaki Makaurau a vibrant place where everyone can thrive.