WIRES Wildlife Centre Manager – Position Description

WIRES is recruiting a full-time, live-in Centre Manager to lead day-to-day operations of our Raptor Rehabilitation & Release Centre in the Southern Highlands, NSW (residential custodianship required). Working in a seven-day operational environment (including weekend/after-hours participation), you’ll combine hands-on husbandry for birds of prey and other avian species with practical facility management, volunteer coordination, and stakeholder engagement.

The role oversees best-practice care, rehabilitation and release preparation, alongside the safe, compliant management of rural bush property (aviaries, utilities, biosecurity, assets and grounds). We’re seeking a proactive operator who is as comfortable leading people and programs as they are rolling up their sleeves to keep the Centre running smoothly WIRES Wildlife Centre - Mullyang

Key Responsibilities

The WIRES Centre Manager delivers daily husbandry, feeding, behavioural monitoring, and pre-release care and conditioning in line with the NSW Code of Practice for Injured, Sick and Orphaned Fauna and WIRES standards, and implements clinical direction and protocols issued by the WIRES Facilities Manager and the Veterinary Working Group. The Manager must be competent across all stages of avian rehabilitation—intensive care, intermediate care and pre-release—and able to transition animals safely between stages.

While the Centre’s core focus is raptors, the role may also support rehabilitation of other species, subject to approvals, biosecurity requirements and operational capacity. The Centre Manager also coordinates timely veterinary assessments and treatment plans, administers prescribed therapies under veterinary supervision, and meets all reporting timelines while maintaining accurate, comprehensive records (including, but not limited to, weights, intake notes, diagnostics, treatments and outcomes).

The manager will be responsible for preparing monthly site activity and impact reports, along with ad-hoc updates for key stakeholders.

Further, The Manager maintains the site infrastructure such as aviaries, netting, perches, isolation areas, feed-preparation rooms, utilities, bush tracks and perimeters to a high standard. They schedule and conduct routine inspections, triage issues and deliver timely repairs or contractor works, while managing cold-chain ordering and stores for diets, PPE and consumables. All site management and maintenance needs to be addressed promptly and within approved budgets, including liaising with external contractors to obtain quotes, coordinate access and oversee delivery of works.

This role will support in the development and implementation of site hygiene and biosecurity protocols and oversees safe cleaning, waste handling and pest management. They will work with the facilities Manager and Head of facilities to conduct risk assessments and implement controls for manual handling, working at heights, tools and plant, biosecurity, avian influenza outbreaks, severe weather, and rural work. The Centre Manager ensures incident reporting, correct PPE use and emergency procedures such as fire and severe-weather plans are in place, and supports the Facilities Manager to develop, implement and review standard operating procedures for all on-site activities.

This position is responsible for building and maintaining effective working relationships with veterinarians, NPWS, and partner agencies, and coordinates audits and site visits as required. It also supports the Facilities Manager to design and deliver a volunteer and mentor support program including inductions, on-the-job training, and competency refreshers that upholds a respectful, safety-first culture. In addition, this position contributes to public education and outreach and supports approved research and monitoring projects aligned with WIRES’ objectives.

As this is a residential role, there is an expectation of after-hours responsiveness to urgent admissions and site emergencies. During incident responses, triage and short-term surge capacity are coordinated in line with WIRES direction to maintain continuity of care and safe site operations.

We welcome applicants with transferable skills and experience from related roles, including Avian Manager, Avian Keeper, Raptor Keeper, Bird Keeper, Aviculturist, Wildlife Rehabilitator, Raptor Rehabilitator, Wildlife Operations Manager, Senior Zookeeper, Animal Care Supervisor, Veterinarian (Wildlife/Avian) and Vet Nurse (Wildlife). Backgrounds that combine avian/raptor husbandry and rehabilitation, clinical coordination with veterinarians, facility/aviary operations and maintenance, biosecurity and hygiene, WHS practice, and volunteer supervision are highly regarded. If your experience aligns with these capabilities even under a different title, we encourage you to apply.

Essential Selection Criteria

• Avian rehabilitation expertise: Minimum 5 years’ recent experience (including raptors), competent in safe handling, rehabilitation and welfare, with a strong grasp of best-practice husbandry.
• Relevant background: Recent experience in zookeeping, wildlife veterinary nursing, or raptor care.
• Enclosure & husbandry infrastructure: Demonstrated experience in enclosure refurbishment (perches, substrates, netting), feed procurement and cold-chain management.
• Authorisation & training: Authorised (or eligible) under WIRES to care for raptors; completion of WIRES Raptor Rescue and Raptor Care training with 3-year refreshers.
• Standards & records: Comprehensive knowledge of the NSW Bird of Prey Rehabilitation Training Standards and exemplary record-keeping/compliance.
• SOP development & implementation: Proven ability to draft, implement, and maintain standard operating procedures, including training staff/volunteers, monitoring compliance, and driving continuous improvement.
• Practical maintenance capability: Proficient with basic carpentry, safe hand/power-tool use and minor repairs; able to scope and coordinate contractors when required.
• WHS leadership: Proven ability to work safely in rural outdoor settings; conduct risk assessments, implement controls, and manage incident reporting.
• Stakeholder engagement & teamwork: Strong collaboration with rehabilitators, coordinators, veterinarians, regulators and volunteers; positive, solutions-focused approach.
• Communication & organisation: Excellent written and verbal communication; highly organised, self-motivated, reliable, efficient and detail oriented.
• Animal welfare & volunteer leadership: Demonstrated ability to improve welfare outcomes and to lead/mentor volunteers.
• Problem-solving: Strong conceptual, analytical and multi-tasking skills; able to prioritise competing demands.
• Media & public communications: Proven ability to work with internal teams on media stories and public communications.
• Data integrity: Clear awareness and practice of data accuracy and integrity.
• Confidentiality: Ability to maintain strict confidentiality of animal case details and staff/volunteer records in line with policy and privacy law.
• Adaptability: Capacity to work effectively amid shifting requirements, maintaining quality and meeting objectives.
• Licensing & availability: Current driver’s licence; capacity to live on-site; flexibility to work weekends/after-hours as rostered.
• Inherent requirements: Ability to safely perform the physical demands of the role (e.g. frequent manual handling, ladder work, use of hand/power tools, and outdoor work in variable weather).
• Collaboration: Willingness to work cooperatively and collaboratively across the organisation and similar organisations.
• Clinical governance: Proven ability to work closely with the WIRES Veterinary Working Group and other stakeholders, follow clinical direction and protocols, provide timely case updates, and implement agreed treatment, quarantine and release plans.
• Willingness and capacity to perform other tasks and special projects as needed to support Centre operations and WIRES’ objectives.

Desirable Selection Criteria

• Current Working at Heights competency (or willingness to obtain).
• Current First Aid certification (HLTAID011 or equivalent).
• 4WD / off-road driving competency (formal training or demonstrated experience).
• Familiarity with privacy-aware CCTV and rural monitoring systems and appropriate data handling.
• Relevant tertiary qualification (e.g. wildlife science, zoology, ecology, animal/vet nursing, or similar).
• Veterinary training or experience supporting veterinary care in wildlife/avian settings.

Role Reports to:

WIRES Rehabilitation Facilities Manager

Working Arrangements :

This is a residential role in a rural location at rural bush property. The Manager must be prepared for variable hours, including weekends/after‑hours, and for hands‑on property tasks. Accommodation is provided on site. The role requires professional conduct, compassion and resilience when faced with challenging situations.

Next steps

Click Apply Now to submit your application.

For any role-related enquiries, please email: [email protected] using the subject line: Wildlife Centre Manager enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Search Words:

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Wildlife Rehabilitator; Raptor Rehabilitator; Wildlife Operations Manager

Senior Zookeeper; Animal Care Supervisor; Veterinarian (Wildlife/Avian); Vet Nurse (Wildlife)