Senior Keeper

Thank you for the interest in employment opportunities at Orana Wildlife Park. The zoo industry in which we operate is very dynamic and we seek passionate people to work as part of our team.
Interested in volunteering at Orana Wildlife Park? we are always on the look out for passionate people to join our volunteer programme, for more information visit our Volunteer page.
Available positions
Animal Keeper - Exotic Mammal Section
Senior Keeper - Exotic Mammal Section
Senior Keeper
Exotic Mammal Section
**ABOUT THE ROLE**:
The position is for a Senior Animal Keeper on our Exotic Mammal team, working a 5 day per week roster, covering one or more of our Carnivore, Ungulates and Primates sections. The working roster is yet to be determined, but this position will involve working at least one weekend day per week.
The key duties of the role are outlined below to provide insight to the day-to-day nature of work:
Leading a high standard of daily care and welfare to a variety of animals, including feeding, behavioural observations, health checks, record keeping and administering medications.
Daily cleaning of enclosures and storage areas.
Training and supervising animal keepers and work experience students.
Implementing behavioural enrichment and training programmes.
Conducting fun, informative presentations to educate and engage our visitors.
General maintenance of enclosures including basic fence repairs, trimming of vegetation, etc.
Maintaining safe practices through following established protocols, safe work practices and animal well-being and security.
**ABOUT YOU**:
We are looking for a suitably skilled, passionate and committed person to join our dedicated team. If you have the following attributes we would love to hear from you:
A minimum of 7+ years’ of animal husbandry experience in a zoo setting with an understanding of modern training/conditioning techniques.
A qualification in zoo keeping (or similar) would be considered an advantage.
Proven ability to provide leadership and training to other keeping staff.
Passionate about animal care and welfare and a contributor to a positive work culture.
Experience in nutritional planning, breeding plan implementation, animal introductions and/or exhibit design would be advantageous.
A responsible, mature attitude with a positive outlook and an ability to build quality internal relationships across all staff teams.
Superb communication skills that extends to all areas of our organisation.
A high level of physical fitness (due to the nature of the role and our large enclosure sizes).
Strong practical and problem solving skills (e.g. fence repairs, working with tools, creative thinking).
Flexibility when working within and around other teams.
A full driver license is required.
**WHAT WE OFFER**:
Orana is full of people who are passionate and dedicated to animal welfare, sustainability initiatives, community engagement and achieving conservation outcomes. As a member of our valued team we can offer you:
Ample free parking on site.
Orana is situated behind Christchurch Airport and only 30 minutes from the city centre.
A set rostered working pattern (enabling work-life balance).
An additional 12 days of holidays per annum in lieu of working statutory holidays.
A full uniform is supplied plus a non-taxable allowance is paid weekly to cover footwear and a basic tool kit.
Free visits to the Park for your family and friends and generous discounts on all purchases made in our gift shop.
**HOW TO APPLY**:
Complete our Orana Application Form. This can be downloaded here.
Applications must be completed in full and must include a letter of introduction. CV’s are welcome.
**EXTRA INFORMATION**:
You must be a NZ/Australian citizen or hold/be eligible for, a NZ work visa to apply. We are willing to work with the right applicant to obtain a work visa if necessary.
Animal Keepers are required to be vaccinated against Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B and have a current Tetanus booster.
Reliable transport is required to get you to the Park.
If you are excited about this opportunity but don’t necessarily have the required skills/experience, feel free to contact our team anyway. We would be happy to advise you.
ANIMAL KEEPER
Exotic Mammal Section
**ABOUT THE ROLE**:
The position is for an Animal Keeper on our Exotic Mammal team, working a 5 day per week roster, covering one or more of our Carnivore, Ungulates and Primates sections. The working roster is yet to be determined, but this position will involve working at least one weekend day per week.
The key duties of the role are outlined below to provide insight to the day-to-day nature of work:
Providing a high standard of daily care and welfare to a variety of animals, including feeding, behavioural observations, health checks, record keeping and administering medications.
Daily cleaning of enclosures and storage areas.
Implementing behavioural enrichment and training programmes.
Conducting fun, informative and presentations to educate and