Conservation Education Team Leader - Healesville Sanctuary - Zoos Victoria

• Ongoing full-time role
• Based at Healesville Sanctuary
• Band 5 salary from $110,000 p.a. + 12% superannuation

Zoos Victoria operates four landmark zoos, Healesville Sanctuary, Kyabram Fauna Park, Melbourne Zoo and Werribee Open Range Zoo. Victoria's zoos are made up of passionate, energetic and driven employees committed to fighting wildlife extinction. Every person, from the extensive range of disciplines, plays an important role in helping the organisation realise its vision to become a world leading zoo-based conservation organisation.

The Conservation Education Team Leader provides operational leadership for the delivery of Zoos Victoria's Fighting Extinction Schools program, leading a team of educators to deliver high-quality, engaging and consistent conservation education experiences at Healesville Sanctuary. As part of a centralised Conservation Education team within the Conservation and Science function, the role champions a One Zoos Victoria approach, ensuring programs, standards and visitor experiences are aligned across the organisation.

Working closely with the Manager Conservation Education, the Team Leader oversees the day-to-day coordination, delivery and continuous improvement of programs for students and teachers from early years to tertiary level, ensuring activities are safe, curriculum-aligned and connected to Zoos Victoria's conservation mission. Through collaborative leadership, coaching and cross-property coordination, the role supports the consistent implementation of education frameworks and quality standards, identifies opportunities to enhance program effectiveness and engagement, and helps deliver impactful conservation learning experiences that inspire and empower young people to take action for wildlife.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support the Conservation Education Manager in strategic planning and decision making
• Advise the Conservation Education Manager with recommendations on education priorities and investment options that best deliver Zoos Victoria's strategic goals and growth targets
• Work to support education investment that strengthens the broader visitor experience and supports the Connect-Understand-Act pathway to conservation action
• Lead the effective delivery of innovative education programs that align learning and conservation outcomes with best practice learning theory, curriculum developments and Zoos Victoria standards for education
• Lead the operationalisation of programs at a local level and ensure programs are delivered consistently and to agreed education standards across assigned teams and locations

The ideal candidate will have:  

• Teaching or Education Degree
• Leadership experience in an educational function, including school or community education settings
• Experience in developing, managing and mentoring staff, both individually and in teams, especially through times of change and fostering a positive culture
• Experience in developing implementing and evaluating innovative education initiatives that achieve learning and conservation outcomes, and visitation growth
• Highly effective communication skills, able to communicate with wide ranging audiences
• Proven ability to develop networks and be a persuasive advocate in promoting an Organisation's vision and objectives
• Employee status Working with Children check Card or VIT
• Police Check
• Current Drivers License

For more information on this role, please refer to the position description available below.

Please submit a maximum two page cover letter, and resume by clicking on the 'Apply' link below.

If you have any questions about this role, please contact Naias Mountfort-Davies - NMountfortDavies@zoo.org.au

Applications close COB 26 October 2026

At Zoos Victoria we value diversity, celebrate difference and work to be inclusive in everything we do. We welcome applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, people with disability and people from the LGBTIQA+ community. In addition, Zoos Victoria will provide reasonable adjustments for individuals with disability, illness or injury. If you require adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, please advise via hrhelpdesk@zoo.org.au or visit https://www.zoo.org.au/about-us/careers/inclusion-and-diversity/ for more information.