Join us in our mission to promote biodiversity, conserve our valuable ecosystems, and provide engaging attractions that connect people with nature.
THIS IS A PERMANENT, FULL-TIME POSITION
APPLICATIONS FOR THIS POSITION CLOSE AT
MIDDAY ON FRIDAY, 18 APRIL 2025
Leading the Perth Zoo Veterinarians team, in consultation with the Veterinary Manager, this role provides comprehensive veterinary care, including diagnostic, medical, surgical and emergency procedures, to a diverse range of zoo animals and native wildlife in line with the zoo’s established priorities and objectives. As clinical lead, you will consider the welfare of animals in all veterinary decisions and foster a collaborative culture with Life Sciences staff to evaluate animal welfare, contribute to species management, facility design and participate in research and conservation programs. Responsibilities will include animal disease outbreak investigations, and the implementation of quarantine and biosecurity practices. Additionally, this role will play a key role in veterinary teaching programs including training zoo staff in preventative health care. This role demands strong leadership, clinical expertise, and a commitment to promoting a positive and collaborative team culture, including the fostering of relations with local, national and international stakeholders.
At Perth Zoo, we have adopted Leadership Expectations which provides a common understanding of the mindsets and expected behaviours required of all our employees and the public sector. In this role, you will be Leading Others to help drive positive change.
Selection Criteria
Applicants should address the following five (5) criteria. These should be addressed in no more than three (3) pages in total.
- Licensed, or eligibility, to practice Veterinary medicine and surgery in Western Australia including a Tertiary degree in Veterinary Science and/or medicine.
- Extensive demonstrated veterinary knowledge and experience with a wide range of Australian and exotic species, including medicine, surgery, disease investigation and chemical restraint.
- Extensive knowledge of animal husbandry practice as it relates to non-domestic animal care in a captive environment.
- High level interpersonal skills together with excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- High-level ability to play a leading role in the veterinary team’s provision of animal health services to zoo animals and wildlife, including undertaking management activities as required, and significant experience coordinating and collaborating with a veterinary team, staff and external stakeholders to produce a team culture where staff are respected and valued, and work is consistently performed to a high standard.
About Us
We are a statutory authority of the Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions (DBCA), one of Western Australia's largest state government agencies, providing exciting and challenging career opportunities in biodiversity conservation and park and natural resource management. We employ people with world-class scientific, policy, land and marine management, visitor services, research and educational skills.
For more information on what we do, our recruitment process, and why working at the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions is an attractive proposition, please visit our website.
Benefits of working with us
In addition to the attractive salary and opportunities to contribute to biodiversity and environmental conservation initiatives, the department offers incentives including:
- Flexible working arrangements.
- 11.5% superannuation, full employer contribution and salary packaging options.
- 4 weeks annual leave with 17.5% loading paid as additional pay every December.
- 3 days additional public sector holidays each year.
- Cultural leave for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff.
- Access to study, bereavement, foster caring and parental leave.
- A confidential employee assistant program (EAP) for you and your family, including psychology and counselling services.
- Well-established learning and development programs.
How to apply:
All applications are to be submitted online. Select 'Apply for job', located at either the top or the bottom of the screen, and follow the instructions; you will need to provide a:
- a covering letter.
- a statement addressing the above requested criteria (in no more than three (3) pages).
- current CV, including the details of two referees.
For further job-related information: contact Rebecca Vaughan-Higgins on (08) 9474 0404 or for further information about Perth Zoo, visit https://perthzoo.wa.gov.au/.
We have a detailed Job Application Kit to provide information about us, the values of the department and practical guidance on the process for you. Please ensure you have saved your documents in MS Word (.docx files only) or PDF format and have allowed plenty of time to submit your application, as late, emailed and proforma applications will not be accepted.
Prior to commencement, the successful applicant will need to possess or obtain:
- A current (issue date not older than 6 months) and satisfactory National Police Check.
- A pre-employment medical and Zoonosis vaccination program.
For the full role description, detailed responsibilities and a full list of selection criteria, please refer to the Job Description link below. The documents linked to this advertisement are available in alternative formats upon request.
Eligibility: To be eligible for permanent appointment, it is essential to have Australian citizenship, New Zealand citizenship or Australian permanent residency status. To be eligible for contract employment, it is essential to have a visa with entitlement to live and work in Australia for the term of the contract.
A search for additional applicants may be conducted for this position where necessary in order to provide a more diverse and/or competitive field.
Substantive Equality Statement
Perth Zoo is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages Indigenous Australians, young people, people with disabilities, people from culturally diverse backgrounds and women to apply for positions within our agency. The Department also promotes flexible working arrangements. People with disability will be provided with reasonable adjustments in our recruitment processes and in the workplace.
Applicants with a disability who require adjustments in the recruitment process can contact the Senior Recruitment Officer on (08) 9219 9879 or recruitment@dbca.wa.gov.au. Do not send applications to this email; they will not be accepted.
Similar appointments may be made from this process within a 12-month period to positions that may be permanent or contract, including contract appointments with the possibility of subsequent permanency.
