Animal Attendant

RSPCA Queensland Ltd.; Cairns Regional; On-site; AUD 34,000 - 48,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Free on-site parking

Exclusive discounts

Learning and development programs

Job summary

RSPCA Queensland Cairns is seeking a dedicated Animal Attendant for a casual role approximately 25 hours per week. You will help provide compassionate care, enrichment, and welfare support for animals in our care, working with veterinary and behaviour teams.

This hands-on role offers variety—from daily care and training to volunteer coordination and adoption assistance—across multiple areas while upholding high welfare standards.

Qualifications

• Certificate II and/or Certificate III in Animal Studies is highly regarded.
• Minimum 12 months' experience in an animal-related field.
• Ability to identify animal body language and signs of illness or injury.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with staff, volunteers, and the public.
• Ability to work independently and in a team.

Responsibilities

• Provide daily care, welfare, enrichment, and behavioural support for animals in care.
• Maintain clean, safe, and hygienic animal housing environments.
• Assist with animal health examinations and routine treatments.
• Monitor animal health and welfare and escalate concerns as needed.
• Deliver training and behaviour modification programs for animals in care.
• Coordinate, support, and train volunteers within your section.
• Assist with admissions, transfers, and record-keeping.
• Support adoption activities, including meet-and-greets.
• Contribute to internal and external training programs and continuous improvement.

Skills

Animal handling

Communication

Teamwork

Education

Certificate II in Animal Studies

Certificate III in Animal Studies

Job description

For more than 140 years, RSPCA Queensland has been a leading animal welfare charity, dedicated to improving the lives of animals - whether domestic, farmed, or native. We care for over 42,000 animals annually, relying on the generosity of animal lovers like you to fund 91% of our life-changing services.

Our Purpose: We exist for animals to live better lives.

About the Role

Do you have a passion for animal welfare and the confidence to take a lead role in providing exceptional care to animals in need? This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact every day while supporting animals on their journey towards a better future at RSPCA Cairns.

This is a casual opportunity offering approximately 25 hours per week. As our Animal Attendant, you'll play an important role in ensuring animals in our care receive compassionate, high-quality husbandry, enrichment, training, and behavioural support. Working closely with Animal Attendants, Veterinary and Behaviour teams, and our dedicated volunteers, you'll help maintain a safe, clean, and enriching environment that supports positive welfare outcomes.

This role offers a varied and hands-on work environment where no two days are the same. From animal care and behavioural support through to volunteer coordination, staff training, and adoption assistance, you'll have the opportunity to contribute across multiple areas while helping drive positive outcomes for both animals and people.

If you enjoy working in a fast-paced animal care environment and want to make a genuine difference to animal welfare, this could be the perfect opportunity for you in Cairns.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for an experienced animal care professional who combines strong practical animal handling skills with a genuine passion for animal welfare. You'll be someone who leads by example, takes initiative, and enjoys supporting others to succeed.

You'll be a confident communicator with the ability to build positive relationships with colleagues, volunteers, and members of the public. You can adapt to changing priorities, remain calm under pressure, and approach challenges with a solutions-focused mindset. Your attention to detail and commitment to maintaining high standards of animal care will set you apart.

You'll enjoy working collaboratively as part of a team while also being capable of working autonomously when required. Above all, you'll be motivated by improving the lives of animals and embodying the values that guide RSPCA Queensland's work every day.

What You'll Do

In this role, you will:

• Provide exceptional daily care, husbandry, enrichment, and welfare support for animals in care.
• Maintain clean, safe, and hygienic animal housing environments.
• Assist with animal health examinations and administer routine preventative treatments and medications.
• Monitor animal health and welfare, identifying sick or injured animals and escalating concerns appropriately.
• Apply animal handling techniques and behavioural knowledge to support positive welfare outcomes.
• Deliver training and behaviour modification programs for animals in care.
• Coordinate, support, and train volunteers within your allocated section.
• Assist with animal admissions, transfers, and associated record keeping through shelter management systems.
• Support adoption activities, including meet-and-greets and providing guidance to prospective adopters.
• Assist with the onboarding, coaching, and practical training of new Animal Attendants.
• Contribute to internal and external training programs for staff, volunteers, and stakeholder groups.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives that enhance animal welfare and operational effectiveness.

What You'll Bring to the Role

• Certificate II and/or Certificate III in Animal Studies is highly regarded.
• Minimum 12 months' experience working in an animal-related field.
• Demonstrated animal handling skills and confidence working with a variety of animals.
• Ability to identify animal body language, behavioural indicators, and signs of illness or injury.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to engage positively with staff, volunteers, and members of the public.
• Experience training, coaching, or supporting others in a workplace or volunteer environment.
• Excellent time management, organisational, and prioritisation skills.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team environment.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to maintaining high animal welfare standards.
• Confidence using computer systems and maintaining accurate records.
• Ability to undertake physically demanding duties, including manual handling and lifting a minimum of 10 kilograms.
• A genuine commitment to animal welfare and alignment with RSPCA Queensland's purpose and values.

Why Join Us?

• Employee Perks: From free on-site parking to exclusive discounts!
• Professional Growth: Access expansive learning and development programs to help you elevate your career and skill set.
• Purpose-Driven Impact: Be part of a mission-driven organisation where every task makes a tangible difference to animal welfare.

At RSPCA Queensland, every role contributes to a better future for animals.

Interested?

If this sounds like the perfect opportunity for you, apply today!

Successful candidates will be required to undergo a Police Check for the safety and well-being of the community, staff, and animals. A pre-employment medical assessment may also be required.

RSPCA Queensland acknowledges the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land. We are an equal opportunity employer committed to a fair and inclusive hiring process, welcoming applicants of all backgrounds, regardless of faith, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

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