Senior Manager - Wildlife Rescue Centre

Job Description:

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Ensure…