Potoroo Palace Australian Wildlife Sanctuary is a well respected, not-for-profit wildlife park located on the beautiful Far South Coast of New South Wales, near Merimbula, Tathra, Eden, and Pambula. Founded by wildlife carer and conservationist Alexandra Seddon, Potoroo Palace is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and care of native Australian wildlife, as well as community education and habitat conservation.

As a registered charity, we rely on the support of our visitors, volunteers, and donors to sustain and grow our operations. Our team is passionate about providing the highest standards of animal welfare, environmental stewardship, and public engagement. We are seeking a dedicated Zoo Keeper to join us in our mission to care for Australia’s unique wildlife and inspire a love for nature in all who visit.

Our values

We believe in:

• Being a place for people to be with native animals and the natural world. Our conservation work means individual animals and endangered species get another chance. The animals we fare comes first at all times.
• Sharing knowledge and supporting learning. Our sanctuaries are places where people can appreciate, and expand their knowledge of, the natural environment, culture, and conservation.
• Being a place of connection for everyone who is passionate about a healthy world. We are a positive and committed partner with our local and wider community in protecting native animals and the planet.

Position Summary

The Senior Wildlife Keeper is a leadership position responsible for overseeing the care, welfare, and management of animals at Potoroo Palace. This role ensures the sanctuary operates to the highest standards of ethical care, regulatory compliance and environmental stewardship. Key areas of responsibility include animal health, nutrition, enrichment, ZAA standards, DPI compliance, ZIMS record keeping, pest management, euthanasia of food animals and park maintenance. This role is also responsible for providing operational leadership and guidance to a team of staff and volunteers.

Key Responsibilities:

• Promote and monitor best practices across all areas of the sanctuary’s animal management operations. Conduct daily health checks and behavioural observations for all animals.
• Coordinate veterinary care and assist with treatment plans and follow-ups.
• Manage animal diets, food preparation, and stock control. Monitor and adapt feeding regimes.
• Supervise and perform humane euthanasia of food animals following approved practices.
• Oversee and develop, implement and evaluate enrichment programs to support natural behaviours and animal wellbeing.
• Maintain high welfare standards across all animal care practices and environments.
• Oversee and maintain accurate and up to date animal records using ZIMS in accordance with sanctuary and regulatory requirements.
• Oversee pest animal control throughout the sanctuary.
• Supervise enclosure and habitat maintenance, as well as the beautification of visitor and shared spaces.
• Oversee, monitor and report on compliance. Ensure all practices align with ZAA accreditation standards and contribute to the sanctuary's accreditation status. Ensure ongoing compliance with DPI (Department of Primary Industries) regulations and reporting obligations.
• Contribute to conservation breeding and rehabilitation programs.
• Ensure training, support and mentorship to junior keepers, students, and volunteers. Coordinate and direct volunteer engagement as outlined below, and in collaboration with other key staff.
• Liaise with administration to facilitate regular promotion (e.g. on social media) of volunteer roles.
• Respond to volunteering enquiries.
• Recruitment and onboarding.
• Orientation (sign off on key policies & code of conduct).
• Ensure volunteer training is completed.
• Maintain/update & share volunteer information pack.
• Volunteer acknowledgement.
• Provide regular feedback to support positive engagement and successful volunteering.
• Job planning, delegation, and maintaining role boundaries.
• Support volunteers to develop programs for animal enrichment and conditioning as appropriate.
• Ensure compliance and record keeping, meeting specific program requirements (Department of Justice, TAFE, Workability).

Key Skills & Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience in wildlife husbandry, particularly with native Australian animals.
• Proficiency in using ZIMS for animal record keeping and reporting.
• Strong knowledge of animal welfare, nutrition, behavioural enrichment, and veterinary collaboration.
• Familiarity with ZAA and DPI compliance standards and regulatory frameworks.
• Competence in food animal management, including humane euthanasia practices.
• Experience in pest control, enclosure upkeep and habitat presentation.
• Demonstrated effective positive leadership, communication and organisational skills.
• Qualifications in zoology, wildlife management or a related field.
• Satisfactory criminal record check and Working with Children Check.

Click "Apply now" to submit your application.