Animal Management Officer

About the role

This position acts as an Authorised Officer for Council, working as part of the Community Safety & Regulation Team. You will be responsible for assisting with the implementation and administration of Council policies, Domestic Animal Management Plan and state legislation relating to domestic animals and livestock, including the investigation and preparation of legal briefs in relation to breaches of legislation.

Our municipality covers 1256 square km's, over 250km of beaches, trails and paths and 40,000 registered domestic animals, and you will be part of a team responsible for delivering one of the largest Animal Management Programs in Victoria. The combination of dense residential and significant rural holdings adds a certain level of complexity to the role.

You will be assigned a designated area of the Geelong region and respond to customer service requests on a range of issues related to domestic animals and livestock. You will build relationships with members of the community by providing guidance, support, education and advice regarding responsible pet ownership.

Work type: Permanent Full Time Classification: Band 5 $83,436 pa plus super

Key responsibilities include:

• Promptly attend to and monitor customer requests/complaints providing feedback to complainants in accordance with Council's Service Commitments.

• Conduct complex investigations related to breaches of legislation, including serious dog attacks, complex nuisance complaints, animals found at large, wandering livestock and others.

• Seize and impound domestic animals and livestock.

• Work collaboratively with state agencies in emergency response situations; including executing warrants, safely securing scenes for state agencies to proceed with their duties and ensuring animal safety in emergencies.

• Proactively patrol the municipality for breaches of state legislation and local dog control orders. Follow up with enforcement action including preparation of legal directive Notices and the issuance of infringements.

• Participate in the emergency after hours on-call roster providing for a 24hour, 7day service to the community

About you

To be successful in this role, you will be a resilient, customer service focused team player, who is equally able to work autonomously. You have an understanding of evidence gathering processes, research and the preparation of legal briefs. You have the ability to identify and safely handle domestic animals and livestock and understand their needs and condition.

You must be able to communicate and engage with a diverse range of people, problem solve, and be agile in your decision making. You have a continuous improvement mindset and enjoy a challenge.

You will require (or willingness to undertake) the Certificate IV Government - Statutory Compliance and/or Certificate IV Animal Control and Regulation or other tertiary qualifications recognised by Council as consistent with the requirements of the position: or relevant experience in a similar role.

Preferred candidates will require a Working with Children's Check.

If this sounds like the role for you, then click apply now!