Are you driven by a passion for aquatic bird husbandry? Do you want to work in an exciting and ‘very cool’ environment in one of Melbourne’s most loved attractions ensuring the highest level of animal care and guest experience? If you have experience with bird’s husbandry, are committed to conservation, and enjoy sharing your enthusiasm with others, then we have the perfect job for you.

We currently have an opportunity for a Bird Keeper to join our team at SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium!

About the Role

In this role, you'll work within the Curatorial team, primarily ensuring top-notch animal husbandry practices of our Antarctic bird species, King and Gentoo Penguins while providing an exceptional experience for our visitors. Key duties will include assisting to ensure a high level of animal welfare, feeding, cleaning, assisting with routine veterinary procedures, record keeping, and monitoring of life support systems. But Sea Life Melbourne is more than just penguins, with a whole host of amazing animals there and you will soon expand your skills and experience working in different areas of the aquarium.

Responsibilities include:

• Perform various tasks across the penguin enclosure – adhere to daily cleaning standards for the habitat, husbandry and welfare of the bird colony
• Ability to handle birds and assisting with routine veterinary procedures
• Food preparation and feeding of birds and other animals
• Participate in daily training sessions with our birds
• Provide enrichment for our birds
• Develop and maintain excellent and innovative animal exhibits that deliver an exceptional visitor experience
• Implement continually high levels of biosecurity and cleanliness of the enclosure/displays, back of house, quarantine and food preparation areas, plus associated plant and workshops
• Maintain and develop displays lighting, signage and interactives
• Experience in operating a variety of Life Support Systems
• Share ideas and suggestions for improving safety within the work areas with the appropriate line manager
• Diving in our enclosures/displays (if you meet the required qualifications)

About You

You will possess either a relevant science qualification or demonstrated equivalent experience within an aquarium/zoo environment. In addition, you will be passionate about marine animals and will display commitment, loyalty and a strong work ethic.

You will be an exceptional communicator, are solution focused with strong problem-solving skills and are able to use your vast experience to work well in a successful, fast paced team. You are committed to ensuring clean, amazing exhibits and exercise best practice animal husbandry while delivering an amazing guest experience.

Your ability to multi-task and have a flexible and adaptable approach along with high attention to detail, the ability to meet deadlines and have demonstrated planning, organisational and time management skills are highly desired.

You will be flexible and eager to work in different areas of the aquarium and with a variety of animal taxa.

You will be an enthusiast individual with a positive and professional attitude that aligns with our company values.

This role requires the ability to perform a range of intense physical tasks in a fast-paced environment, such as shovelling snow in a cold environment, lifting, carrying, or standing for extended periods. Candidates should be able to perform these duties effectively and safely as part of the essential responsibilities of the position.

The following experience is required:

• Minimum 1 year experience working in a zoo or aquarium

The following qualifications would be an advantage:

• Previous experience with penguins / birds in a zoo or aquarium setting
• Knowledge of other taxa such as fish, reptiles or amphibians
• Ability to dive regularly and hold a current ADAS scuba diving certification (or the ability to obtain one)
• A current First aid, CPR, Oxygen therapy provider or advance resuscitation
• A current AS2299 commercial dive medical
• A bachelor’s degree in Zoology or Biology or an equivalent Animal Care Diploma

Benefits

• Corporate benefits including free access to all our attractions worldwide
• Domestic and global opportunities to develop and progress your skills and career in tourism and attractions
• Opportunity to be involved with our Diversity & Inclusion initiatives, including our Reconciliation Action Plan
• Being part of a business built on fun

About Us

Merlin Entertainments is the company behind iconic brands like SEA LIFE, Madame Tussauds, LEGOLAND, and Peppa Pig World of Play. We operate in over 140 attractions across 25 countries, delivering memorable experiences to 54 million+ visitors a year.

We’re the leading operator of visitor attractions in Australia and New Zealand, with 10 attractions, including SEA LIFE, Wild Life, Madame Tussauds, and the Fly Treetop Adventures, amongst others. Merlin Entertainments is driven by a strong social responsibility with the vision to create a world where the global community respects, conserves, and sustainably manages our precious aquatic habitats, wildlife, and natural resources. We strive to achieve this goal through our 3 charities: Merlins Magic Wand, the SEA LIFE Trust, and the WILD LIFE Conservation Fund.

So, if you are vibrant and passionate about delivering an amazing service within a great company and in a team who loves what we do – then we want to hear from you!

Merlin Entertainments strongly encourages application from all background, including people of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander decent.

Please let us know at anzrecruitment@merlinentertainments.biz if you require any adjustments to the recruitment process to support your application.