Join Perth Zoo, a global leader in wildlife conservation, and be part of one of the world’s best inner-city zoos.
Our purpose is clear: empowering a future where wildlife and humanity thrive together.
With significant changes and developments underway, there has never been a better time to join our dynamic and passionate team.
At Perth Zoo, we have adopted Leadership Expectations which provides a common understanding of the mindsets and expected behaviours required of all our employees. In this role, you will be working in a Leading Leaders context to help drive positive change in the public sector.
THIS IS A PERMANENT, FULL-TIME POSITION
APPLICATIONS FOR THIS POSITION CLOSE AT
MIDDAY ON TUESDAY, 25 NOVEMBER 2025
About you
We are seeking a highly skilled and qualified veterinary professional with a passion for animal welfare and conservation. You will provide expert advice and oversight on animal welfare practices, ensuring compliance with statutory obligations, accreditation standards, and Perth Zoo’s strategic objectives.
About the Role:
- Animal Welfare Leadership: Provide specialist advice on animal welfare, ethics, and compliance, ensuring adherence to the Animal Welfare Act 2002, the Australian Code for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes, and ZAA accreditation standards.
- Veterinary Expertise: Apply veterinary knowledge to assess and enhance animal welfare outcomes, including participation in ethical review processes and welfare audits.
- Policy and Standards Development: Lead the development and implementation of animal welfare policies, SOPs, and monitoring frameworks to maintain best practice standards.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with internal teams, regulatory bodies, and external partners to promote animal welfare excellence and continuous improvement.
- Training and Education: Support staff capability by delivering training and guidance on welfare compliance and ethical practices.
Selection Criteria
- Degree in Veterinary Science and registration (or eligibility for registration) with the Veterinary Practice Board of Western Australia.
- Veterinary specialist status in a relevant field (e.g., Zoological Medicine, Wildlife Population Health, Animal Welfare, Animal Welfare Science, Ethics and Law) or post-graduate qualification in the above fields.
- Demonstrated clinical expertise in zoo or wildlife veterinary medicine, including diagnostics, emergency care and preventative health management.
- Comprehensive knowledge of legislative and regulatory governance relating to animal welfare and animal ethics including the Australian Code for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes.
- Proven ability to provide strategic advice and lead initiatives related to animal welfare, ethics, and veterinary governance with the ability to build collaborative relationships across internal and external stakeholders.
- Experience supervising research students and contributing to academic programs.
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.
Why Work at Perth Zoo
DBCA offers a broad range of benefits with just some listed here:
- 12% superannuation, full employer contribution
- Salary packaging options
- Discounted health insurance
- Free entry to the Zoo for you and 4 other people
- Free Behind the Scenes offering to Perth Zoo staff
- Access to flexible working arrangements
- 3 days additional public sector holidays each year
- Leave for study, bereavement, foster caring and parenting
- Free access to a confidential employee assistance program (EAP) for you and your family, which includes psychology and counselling services.
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 covering letter.
- A statement addressing the above requested six (6) criteria (in no more than three (3) pages).
- A current CV, including the details of two referees with one being a recent or current manager/supervisor.
Note: Interviews will not commence until early - mid December 2025.
For further job-related information: contact John Lemon on (08) 9474 0304 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.
- A current Western Australian Drivers Licence.
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 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, including an alternative to applying online, 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.
If you are an Aboriginal person who would like assistance with your application, please contact Jobs and Skills WA on 13 64 64.
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.
