1. Position Details

Title: Senior Reporter – Werribee Open Range Zoo Reports to: Senior Manager Digital Newsroom, Zoos Victoria Location: Werribee Open Range Zoo Tenure: Ongoing Salary Range: Band 5 Employment Type: Full-time

2. Context

Zoos Victoria operates world-class zoos on three sites: Melbourne Zoo, Healesville Sanctuary and Werribee Open Range Zoo. Our vision is to be the world’s leading zoo-based conservation organization focusing on the following key action areas:

 Conservation: Through our primary conservation program, ‘Fighting Extinction’, we are pledging that the 27 Victorian terrestrial species which are currently threatened, will not suffer extinction under our watch.

 Animals: Establishing our organisation as a leader for creating net gains in conservation, by ensuring that every species in our collection has conservation relevance, and has world’s best practice in its animal care and wellbeing

 Visitors Providing innovative wildlife-based recreation and learning experiences that inspire and facilitate visitors to take conservation actions that make a measurable and positive difference.

 People Supporting the development of our staff to ensure they, and the organisation as a whole, realise our vision to be the world’s leading zoo-based conservation organisation.

 Financial Sustainability - Ensuring the long-term financial sustainability of all our operations are able to maintain and improve the value of assets and to make meaningful and measurable investment in conservation.

3. Purpose Statement

The Senior Reporter is responsible for developing and delivering appealing digital content, which engages our targeted audiences and promotes Zoos Victoria messaging around fighting extinction and encourages visitation to Werribee Open Range Zoo.

Last updated October 2019 4. Reporting Lines

GM Communications

Senior Manager Digital Newsroom

Senior Reporter Senior Reporter Senior Reporter MZ WORZ HS

Content Coordinator Content Coordinator MZ WORZ (0.6)

5. Accountabilities

Content  Produce appealing digital content about our animals, campaigns, activities, events and people which promote Zoos Victoria’s fighting extinction message and encourage visitation  In accordance with the Digital Publicity Strategy, seek out facts, data and information and package these to create engaging narratives that will captivate Zoos Victoria/WORZ audiences  As guided by the Senior Manager Digital Newsroom, create fully packaged content for publishing in traditional and new media outlets  Identify new avenues for digital storytelling via web and social channels  Continually propose new and innovative ways to promote WORZ Stories  Seek out and uncover stories, which would appeal to Zoos Victoria audiences  Follow up anecdotes and reports to find the interesting angle of a story which can be presented in an engaging fashion  Engage with relevant staff or Zoos Victoria partners to help them tell their stories  Prioritise stories which are aligned with Zoos Victoria core objectives  Liaise with other Senior Reporters to share and improve stories Production  Liaise and co-ordinate with technical staff and other technical resources to produce highly engaging video, audio and other digital content  Guide and coach staff to present in engaging and entertaining fashion  Schedule production of content to ensure efficient delivery with minimal impact on standard operations

Last updated October 2019 Distribution  Research and recommend opportunities for content distribution: including traditional media and digital channels  Keep abreast of new potential digital channels for content distribution  Following consultation with the Senior Manager Digital Newsroom, distribute material directly on key digital channels

Communications  Proactively identify public relations opportunities  On occasion, write and submit press releases and editorial copy for a range of publications  Issues management and development of public responses (in consultation with the General Manager Communications) on matters that have the potential to affect Zoos Victoria’s reputation.

Stakeholder Relations  Schedule the creation of video and other digital content in line with the staff operational requirements  Involve stakeholders in activities and events  Maintain positive relations with media representatives in order to maximise positive coverage of WORZ and Zoos Victoria and promote visitation.  Regularly liaise with Senior Reporters based at the other two zoos to ensure a co- ordinated approach

Administration & Reporting  Participate in the Communications team meetings to ensure communication integration is maximised and to provide expert communication suggestions.  Dissemination of Zoos Victoria key communications messages as defined in consultation with the General Manager Communications.

Zoo People

 Demonstrate expertise and professionalism in all interactions  Behave in accordance with the vision and values of Zoos Victoria  Communicate openly and honestly whilst respecting others  Actively contribute to team, department, property & wider ZV performance through effective cross functional engagement  Utilises effective problem solving strategies

Safety

 Work within the Safety Circle  Ensure that staff are coached to work within the Safety Circle  Encourage a speak up culture  Report incidents within 24 hours of occurrence  Actively monitor workplace to identify hazards and take appropriate action to rectify if hazards found

Last updated October 2019 6. Selection Criteria

1. Qualifications  Tertiary level qualifications in Journalism or professional equivalent preferred  Current Australian Drivers Licence  Current Working With Children check

2. Skills & Knowledge  Superb writing skills and a keen eye for newsworthy content  Highly developed skills and knowledge in social media  A proven ability to build effective relationships with a diverse range of groups and individuals.  Current driver’s license is essential.  Strong organisation and cross functional team skills.  Innovative and creative approach to opportunities and solving potential problems.  Excellent working knowledge of digital marketing and communications tools, with the capability of quickly assimilating and applying changing technologies.

3. Experience  Extensive journalism experience  Experience overseeing the creation of packaged content, including video, for distribution in digital channels  Creativity and ability to leverage opportunities to enhance brand and drive visitation.  Experience and current knowledge of the Entertainment, Cultural, Tourism and / or Leisure Industries

Last updated October 2019