Join Our Team

Willowbank Wildlife Reserve is a great place to work. We are a team of passionate people working across a diverse portfolio of roles. Please keep an eye out for job vacancies listed below, ranging from zookeeping, administration, customer service, hospitality, maintenance and much more.

Current Vacancies:

Animal Keeper

Position type: Full-time, 40 hours per week including weekends.

We are seeking a passionate and experienced Animal Keeper to join our dedicated team caring for a diverse collection of exotic and domestic species. This is an exciting opportunity for someone looking to further their career in animal husbandry within a well-established and respected facility.

About the Role: As an Animal Keeper, you will be responsible for the daily care and wellbeing of a variety of New Zealand native species. You will carry out all aspects of husbandry including feeding, cleaning, enrichment, behavioural observation, and health monitoring. The role also involves enclosure maintenance, detailed record keeping, and interacting with the public through educational talks and animal encounters.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide high standards of animal care and welfare
• Prepare and deliver species-appropriate diets
• Implement enrichment and behavioural training plans
• Maintain clean, safe and enriching enclosures
• Keep accurate and up-to-date animal records
• Participate in public engagement including keeper talks, guided tours and animal encounters
• Work collaboratively with the wider team to support daily operations

Essential Criteria:

• Minimum of 2 years of experience working in a zoo, wildlife park, or similar facility
• Proven experience caring for a wide range of exotic species
• Physically fit and able to undertake manual and outdoor work in all weather conditions
• Strong communication skills and confidence in public speaking
• Able to work independently and as part of a team