Animal Management Officer

The Role:

A permanent, full-time position exists in our Animal Management team as Animal Management Officer. This position is required to undertake a range of activities to meet Council’s Animal Management Service responsibilities and to provide efficient and effective customer service by responding to enquiries, including attendance on site to resolve Animal Management situations to ensure community safety and wellbeing and the protection and conservation of our natural and manmade environment.

Reporting to the Team Leader Animal Management you will provide assistance to the Community to achieve and implement corrective actions relating to animal confinement and care by:

• Assist the Animal Management Services team and its management in respect to Animal Management and associated local laws.
• Ensuring all briefs of evidence meet the statutory and evidential requirements and that appropriate action has been taken to facilitate court action.
• Issue Animal Infringement Notices (when required) pursuant to the Domestic Animals Act 1994 and Councils Local Laws, in accordance with the Infringements Act 2006 and Council’s policies and procedures.
• Attend to on-site situations that require resolution to protect community safety and wellbeing. Typical examples include dog attacks, dog barking, animal nuisance complaints, securing roaming dogs, other animal-related issues that are causing an immediate threat to public safety (excluding wildlife issues).
• Participate in an After Hours roster once a month for a seven-day period by responding to telephone enquiries and providing effective Animal Management emergency services through on site attendance. 
• Manage Animal Management enforcement cases from start to finish in accordance with Council’s standard operating procedures.
• Provide advice and education to external customers on Animal Management issues and associated Local Laws.

About You:

To be successful in this role you will be willing to undertake a range of activities to meet specific animal control duties for the City of Ballarat whilst providing effective customer service by responding to animals at large and dog and cat collections by applying the relevant sections of the Domestic Animals Act 1994, Impounding Livestock Act 1994 and Council’s Local Laws.

The successful candidate will represent the City of Ballarat Animal Management Unit by displaying Councils’ values and behaviours at all times and preferably be suitably qualified with the following experience:

• Completion of training course(s) in Municipal Law Enforcement with a focus on Animal Management is preferred; or
• Knowledge and experience in handling a variety of animals, with particular experience in handling dogs and livestock.
• Proficient in the use of computer software such as word processing and database packages.
• Experience in dealing with difficult customers and situations.

Key Selection Criteria:

• Knowledge of application of the Domestic Animals Act 1994, Impounding of Livestock Act 1994, Local Government Act 1989 and Council's Local Laws.
• Experience in Animal Management with experience in handling dogs and livestock. Proficiency in the use of computer software such as word processing and database packages.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to prepare letters, memoranda’s, investigation reports and brief preparation.
• Time management skills with the ability to prioritise tasks.
• Experience in dealing with difficult customers and dispute resolution.
• Knowledge and understanding of health and safety issues relevant to work activities and work area.
• Current Victorian Drivers Licence.

To Apply:   

To apply for this position please click on the Apply button and submit your application.

The closing date for this position is Sunday 12th May 2024. Please ensure that you provide a cover letter, current resume and answer screening questions based on the key selection criteria. The successful applicant will be required to undergo a full employment medical and police check.

Contact:

For any additional questions, please contact Clare Douglas-Haynes, Coordinator Animal Services on 0419 346 ***.

The City of Ballarat is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing a safe and inclusive working environment that embraces and values diversity, flexibility and child safety. We welcome applications from all walks of life and celebrate the diversity and richness this brings to our workplace and reasonable adjustments will be made to the process to ensure equitable access.  We undertake an employment screening process to ensure this commitment is upheld, this includes ensuring the successful candidate holds a valid working with children check and satisfactory criminal history record check.