Job description

About the Role

The Senior Manager – Wildlife Rescue Centre is responsible for the daily operational leadership of the Wildlife Rescue Centre, ensuring the safe, efficient, and professional delivery of wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, temporary care, quarantine, release, and transfer operations.

The role places a strong emphasis on safe zoological operations, animal welfare, team leadership, operational discipline, and staff development. The Senior Manager is responsible for creating a culture where animal welfare and human safety are the highest priorities, while ensuring staff are trained, competent, and accountable in delivering professional wildlife care and rescue services.

The position serves as the operational leader of the Centre and is expected to maintain high standards of husbandry, rehabilitation, safety, biosecurity, housekeeping, documentation, and team performance across all areas of the facility.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

• Manages and practically participates in the day-to-day operations of the Wildlife Rescue Centre.
• Ensure operational readiness of all animal holding areas, quarantine facilities, rehabilitation spaces, equipment, vehicles, and support infrastructure.
• Coordinate wildlife intake, rescue responses, transfers, releases, and rehabilitation activities.
• Ensure staffing schedules provide appropriate coverage for all operational requirements.
• Monitor operational effectiveness and implement improvements where required.
• Ensure compliance with established operational procedures and standards.

Zoological Safety Leadership

• Serve as the operational lead for safe animal management practices throughout the Centre.
• Ensure staff consistently follow approved safe operating procedures.
• Conduct routine safety inspections of animal facilities, equipment, work practices, and operational areas.
• Verify appropriate use of containment systems, lockout procedures, keys, barriers, restraint systems, and other safety controls.
• Ensure risk assessments are completed and reviewed for animal handling, restraint, transport, capture, release, and rehabilitation activities.
• Lead operational reviews following incidents, near misses, or safety concerns.
• Promote a proactive safety culture that encourages reporting, learning, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure staff understand and comply with emergency response procedures and dangerous animal protocols.

Animal Welfare and Rehabilitation

• Ensure the highest standards of animal welfare are maintained throughout all stages of care.
• Oversee husbandry, enrichment, rehabilitation, behavioral monitoring, and welfare assessments.
• Ensure animals receive appropriate nutrition, housing, environmental conditions, and veterinary support.
• Monitor rehabilitation progress and support decision-making regarding release, transfer, or long-term placement.
• Ensure welfare concerns are identified promptly and addressed appropriately.
• Support the development and implementation of species-specific husbandry and rehabilitation plans.

Team Leadership and Development

• Provide direct leadership, supervision, coaching, and mentorship to operational staff.
• Develop a positive, professional, and accountable team culture.
• Conduct regular team meetings, operational briefings, and safety discussions.
• Ensure new staff receive structured onboarding and competency-based training.
• Monitor staff performance and provide constructive feedback and support.
• Identify training needs and coordinate professional development opportunities.
• Maintain high standards of professionalism, attendance, conduct, and operational discipline.

Rescue and Emergency Response

• Coordinate and support wildlife rescue responses as required.
• Ensure rescue personnel, vehicles, equipment, and resources remain operationally ready.
• Oversee emergency animal capture, containment, transport, and temporary housing operations.
• Coordinate with veterinary teams and external stakeholders during emergency situations.
• Assist in managing wildlife incidents, confiscations, animal welfare interventions, and disaster response activities.

Facility, Asset and Resource Management

• Ensure animal areas, support facilities, equipment, vehicles, and infrastructure are maintained in good operational condition.
• Monitor inventory levels and operational supplies.
• Support procurement planning and resource allocation.
• Ensure equipment inspections and maintenance schedules are completed.
• Promote high standards of cleanliness, organization, and workplace presentation.

Biosecurity and Disease Prevention

• Ensure compliance with quarantine, sanitation, and biosecurity procedures.
• Monitor implementation of disease prevention and infection control measures.
• Ensure staff understand zoonotic disease risks and appropriate mitigation measures.
• Coordinate responses to biosecurity concerns or disease outbreaks in consultation with veterinary personnel.
• Maintain appropriate records and documentation relating to animal health and quarantine programs.

Regulatory Compliance and Documentation

• Ensure accurate operational records and animal documentation are maintained.
• Support animal inventory management and reporting requirements.
• Ensure chain-of-custody procedures are followed for confiscated, surrendered, rescued, or transferred animals.
• Support inspections, audits, and regulatory reviews.
• Ensure organizational policies and legal requirements are consistently applied.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Support relationships with government agencies, enforcement authorities, veterinary partners, conservation organizations, and rescue stakeholders.
• Assist with public awareness, community engagement, and educational activities where required.
• Represent the Wildlife Rescue Centre in a professional manner at all times.

Qualifications & Experience

Essential

• Bachelor’s Degree in Zoology, Wildlife Management, Animal Science, Conservation Biology, Veterinary Technology, Environmental Science, or a related field.
• Minimum 7 years of zoological, wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, animal management, or conservation experience.
• Minimum 3 years in a supervisory or management position.
• Experience managing animal care teams and operational staff.
• Experience working with potentially dangerous, protected, or exotic wildlife.
• Demonstrated experience implementing safe zoological operating practices.

Desirable

• Advanced qualifications in wildlife management, zoological operations, conservation, or leadership.
• Professional training in dangerous animal management, wildlife rescue, animal welfare, incident management, or occupational safety.
• Experience within accredited zoos, aquariums, wildlife parks, rescue centres, or conservation institutions.
• Experience managing rescue operations and emergency animal incidents.
• Experience developing SOPs, training programs, and operational safety systems.
• Experience implementing modern animal welfare assessment programs.