Department for Environment and Water
Job reference: 863591
Location: 5152 - CLELAND
Job status: Ongoing
Eligibility: Open to Everyone

About the Role:

Lead one of South Australia's most iconic wildlife tourism destinations.

The Department for Environment and Water is seeking an exceptional leader to drive the future success of Cleland Wildlife Park, a unique destination where conservation, tourism, education and community engagement come together. This is a rare opportunity to lead a high-profile wildlife attraction, shape its strategic direction, and deliver outstanding outcomes for visitors, wildlife and the South Australian community.

As General Manager, you will provide strategic and operational leadership for Cleland Wildlife Park, ensuring it remains a leading nature-based tourism destination while upholding the highest standards of animal welfare, visitor experience, conservation, safety and financial performance.

Reporting to the Director, Public Lands and Business Partnerships, you will lead a multidisciplinary team and oversee the park's day-to-day operations, commercial performance, strategic planning, major projects and stakeholder relationships. You'll work closely with government, industry, community and conservation partners to enhance the park's reputation and support its long-term sustainability and growth.

What can we offer you!

- Working in an organisation that is contributing to significant environmental outcomes in the outstanding state of South Australia!
- Be part of a fun, collaborative and supportive team.
- Free entry into DEW managed Parks in South Australia.
- Salary Sacrifice Benefits.
- Access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
- Access to our Fitness Passport Program.
- Meaningful and rewarding career.

Contract: Ongoing

Key Role Outcomes:

- The complex and significant daily operations of Cleland Wildlife Park are planned and managed, ensuring the Park continues as one of South Australia’s iconic tourism destinations, providing excellence in guest experiences.
- Leadership is provided to the team to ensure staff are empowered to deliver exceptional results,



leveraging collective strengths and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
- Ensure the effective management of human, financial and physical assets with the unit/team through appropriate planning and allocation of resources to achieve agreed business and strategic plans.
- Lead, develop and foster a positive work culture which is based on SA Public Sector Code of Ethics values and promote customer service, learning and development, safety, and welfare of employees, acknowledge differences and encourage creativity and innovation, which is highly responsive to the needs of the business, our partners and external clients.
- Provide timely and constructive feedback to subordinate staff to contribute to their effective performance and motivation and plan for their continued professional and technical development.
- Funding plans and budgets meet the site’s Strategic Plan and objectives, and KPI’s relating to site visitation, income and expenses are met.
- Best practice in engagement and strong integrated life sciences and education programs are delivered.
- Cleland Wildlife Park is recognised as a valued partner through fostered engagement and strong relationships with key stakeholders, including those in the broad Mt Lofty precinct.
- Workplace Safety & Wellbeing is actively managed with systems and procedures implemented and monitored to enable a safe environment for employees, visitors, contractors, volunteers, assets and wildlife in accordance with relevant legislation, policies and procedures.

Special Conditions:

- Will be required to participate in emergency preparedness, response and recovery activities required by government agencies.
- You must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident,



or provide evidence that you hold a valid working visa that allows you to work in Australia without restrictions.
- The Department for Environment and Water is committed to providing a safe environment to all children and young people who access our services and visit our sites. This role requires candidates to provide a valid Working with Children Check which must be renewed every five years before expiry. DEW will cover the cost of renewal.
- This role requires candidates to provide a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check which must be renewed every three years before expiry. DEW will cover the cost of renewal.
- Wearing a company uniform during working hours and/or when representing the department is mandatory.
- Inter and intrastate and remote area travel is required, including travel in light aircraft.
- May be required to undertake intra or interstate travel, occasional overnight absences, and work outside of the normal hours of work.

A successful applicant who is not currently employed by the Department for Environment and Water will be required to have an original photo identification document sighted and provide a valid Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check (NCCHC) issued within the last 12 months. This information must be supplied by all applicants who are shortlisted for interview.

Remuneration:
SS/SM2 $153,887 max p.a.

Enquiries to:
Laura Stansfield, Acting/Director Public Land and Business Partnerships
[email protected]
Mobile: 0417 006 295

Application Instructions:
Applications are to be submitted online through I WORK FOR SA.

Applicants are to submit a pre-employment declaration, current CV and letter of application (max. 3 pages) addressing the key role outcomes as outlined in the Role Description.

The Department for Environment and Water is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We encourage applications from people with diverse backgrounds including all ages and gender identities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, people with disability, culturally and linguistically diverse and LGBTIQA+.

Applications close: 22/11/2026 11:00 PM

📌 General Manager, Cleland Wildlife Park
🏢 Government Of South Australia
📍 Cleland