A Once in a Lifetime Opportunity
Full-Time Wildlife Keeper & Live-In Caretaker

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A rare opportunity is now available for an experienced, passionate and driven wildlife professional to join the team at the Hills Wildlife Sanctuary as a Full-Time Wildlife Keeper and Live-In Caretaker.

Located on a pristine 35-acre conservation bushland property in Dural, just 45 minutes from the Sydney CBD in North West Sydney, the Hills Wildlife Sanctuary is a truly unique conservation facility. With an almost 50- year legacy and a bold vision for the future, the Sanctuary is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and recovery of native Australian wildlife, while also delivering high-quality education and conservation experiences to the public.

 

About the Role

This is a hands-on, leadership-focused role suited to a highly capable, enthusiastic, detail oriented keeper looking to take the next step in their career. The successful applicant will oversee the daily operations of the sanctuary, working across animal care, team leadership, visitor engagement and site management.

Key responsibilities include:
 

• Delivering and maintaining exceptional standards of animal husbandry, welfare and care across a wide range of Australian native species

• Leading and supporting a team of staff and volunteers, fostering a positive and professional workplace culture

• Conducting visitor experiences, including behind-the-scenes tours, corporate days and off-site educational presentations

• Supporting administrative tasks, record keeping and compliance requirements

• Contributing to the future planning, development and growth of the sanctuary

• Assisting with general grounds maintenance and presentation, ensuring the site reflects the sanctuary’s high animal welfare standards

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Essential Requirements

Applicants must demonstrate:
 

• Minimum 3 years’ full-time paid experience working in a zoo, wildlife park, or similar conservation facility

• Certificate III in Wildlife and Exhibited Animal Care (or equivalent)

• Extensive experience working hands on with Australian native wildlife, including mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians

• Proven ability to maintain high standards of animal husbandry, welfare, and health care, including sound knowledge of the Five Domains of Animal Welfare

• A current driver’s licence and access to a personal vehicle

• Legal right to live and work in Australia (visa sponsorship not available)

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with a positive and adaptable team-focused approach

• Proven experience delivering confident, engaging and educational wildlife presentations

• Experience in animal training and conditioning

• Rabies immunity (if not already rabies vaccinated, vaccination will be an essential requirement of the role within a reasonable timeframe)

• Current Working With Children Check and Police Check (or ability to obtain)

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Desirable (but not essential): 
 

• Experience in the rescue and rehabilitation of injured and orphaned native wildlife

• Experience working with flying foxes

• Experience working within captive breeding programs across multiple native taxa

• Experience using ZIMS as a management and record-keeping tool

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Live-In Accommodation and Salary
 

​This position includes all-expenses-paid accommodation in the comfortable two-bedroom Caretaker’s Cottage, located on site at the Sanctuary. The cottage includes:

•  Air-conditioned living spaces

•  Kitchen, laundry, bathroom and living area

•  Private spacious yard including covered patio and fire pit

•  High speed Starlink internet

•  Water and power bills included
   

The value of this live-in arrangement is built into the salary package, with salary negotiable based on experience.

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Additional Information​
 

This opportunity would be ideal for a couple or two friends working in the wildlife industry. The second person may also reside on site as a live-in caretaker while holding paid employment elsewhere. Strictly no domestic pets are permitted on site at the sanctuary or in the Caretaker’s Cottage.

 

How to Apply

Please submit:

• A detailed Cover Letter telling us about yourself, your relevant experience, and why you would like this opportunity

• A current resume

Please email applications to: ben@hillswildlifesanctuary.org

Please Note: Due to the high volume of applications, we are unfortunately unable to respond to every
applicant. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted via email. Applications close Sunday 15th February. 

If you are seeking a once in a lifetime opportunity to live and work within a dedicated conservation sanctuary, whilst playing a meaningful role in shaping its future, we look forward to hearing from you. ​​​​​

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