Career Opportunities At Cairns Tropical Zoo

Cairns Tropical Zoo has native Australian animals, exotic animals and endangered species.

With so few keeper positions available, competition for vacancies is especially keen. To be considered for appointment, you can submit a resume which will be held for 6 months, or you can apply when Cairns Tropical Zoo invites applications.

To become a candidate for a wildlife keeping role, selection is done through a review process at which time those selected will be short-listed and contacted for an interview.

Interested applicants should visit our website regularly to view the vacancies once they arise or through the employment section of The Cairns Post.

What do I need to do to be considered for a zoo keeping role?

• We look for a special person with the ability to join & work within our small yet busy team.
• Friendly, outgoing with the confidence to speak publicly.
• We look for willingness to work rostered days including weekends and public holidays. (We operate 7 days a week)
• Knowledge of health & safety issues in a zoo environment.
• Having a tertiary qualification in captive animal husbandry would be an advantage.

How do I get animal husbandry experience?

There are several wildlife parks and sanctuaries that provide opportunities for gaining animal husbandry experience through volunteering. We offer a small number of volunteering opportunities to people who have applied and whose job prospects would be enhanced by practical animal husbandry experience.

Volunteers generally work a 7-8 hour day under the supervision of a senior zoo keeper.

What qualifications do I need?

We look for qualifications in zoology, animal biology, animal husbandry, veterinary nursing or other animal-related disciplines and/or husbandry experience with wildlife.

Please refer to the relevant courses to the zoo industry in your State or Territory (see your careers department) for courses being offered at the various universities and TAFE colleges in Cairns & region and throughout Australia.

Positions Vacant

• There are currently no vacancies available.

A number of schools/colleges/tertiary courses require students to complete a certain amount of hours in practical work placements. We have worked with many institutions to provide work experience to their students.

Students enrolled in relevant courses may be offered placements which are limited.

Students interested in applying for placements should do so through their institution and their Work Placement or Course Coordinator. They will have an application form for you to fill out and return back to them, which will then be submitted to us.

Note that all work experience is unpaid.

Volunteers are an important part of the team, and we welcome their involvement and enthusiasm.

People volunteer for many different reasons: work experience for school or uni, to learn what it’s like to be a zoo keeper, to gain experience to further their careers, or just for the personal satisfaction of their efforts.

There are many benefits to volunteer work. It’s a great way to show potential employers that you are hard-working, dedicated to giving back to the community, and to make a contribution. You will also learn more about the animals themselves. On top of all these reasons, it’s a fun and a rewarding way to spend your free time.

If you are enthusiastic, dependable, friendly, out-going, interested in animals, and you enjoy working outdoors, you may be just what we are looking for.

Please note that all volunteer work is unpaid.

Volunteer Application

Your Name:
Address:	Street City State Postcode
Phone:
Mobile:
Email Address:	Confirm Email
Age Group:	15-17   18-21   22-30   31-45   45+
Other Information:	Preferred day/days for working
	Preferred area: Reptiles/Mammals/Birds/Maintenance
	Have you any training or experience working with animals?
	List any special skills which you think might be useful
	Are you physically fit?
	Detail your ability to carry out manual labour.
	Have you done any volunteer work before? If so, where?
	Please provide the name and contact details of a Referee
Comments:
Click here to submit your application --->

Please allow up to 10 days for an email reply.

Volunteer appointments are made on a trial basis. Continuance is entirely at the discretion of Cairns Tropical Zoo. Volunteers offered a continuance beyond 3 days are required to purchase and wear a volunteer uniform shirt (cost $20.00).