Behaviour Trainer

RSPCA Queensland Ltd.; City of Brisbane; On-site; AUD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

8 weeks paid parental leave

Flexible working arrangements

Study leave

Leave for furry companions

Counselling and mental health services

Free on-site parking

Exclusive discounts

Novated leases

50% off Royal Canin pet food

Free adoption options

Job summary

RSPCA Queensland is seeking a Behaviour Trainer to deliver hands-on behavioural care, rehabilitation and training across our welfare programs. You will mentor staff, support foster carers and collaborate with Adoption teams to improve outcomes for animals and people.

You will work directly with animals, travel to regional shelters across Queensland, and lead with positive, evidence-based training while engaging with diverse audiences to share knowledge and build capability.

Qualifications

• Experience training animals using force-free methods.
• Strong understanding of canine and feline behaviour.
• Experience coaching, mentoring or educating others.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Confidence working independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Current driver’s licence and willingness to travel across Queensland.

Responsibilities

• Deliver hands-on behavioural training and rehabilitation for animals in care.
• Conduct behavioural assessments and develop individual behaviour plans.
• Implement positive, fear-free and choice-based training techniques.
• Monitor behavioural progress and maintain accurate records.
• Coach and mentor Animal Attendants, Behaviour teams, Foster teams and Adoption staff.
• Deliver practical behavioural training across RSPCA Queensland, including regional shelters.
• Support foster carers and adopters with behavioural advice and education.
• Contribute to behaviour assessments, rehabilitation, foster and adoption pathways.
• Assist with developing training resources and behaviour programs.
• Work collaboratively with Veterinary Services, Animal Care, Foster and Adoption teams to achieve the best possible outcomes for every animal.

Skills

Force-free training

Canine behaviour

Feline behaviour

Coaching & mentoring

Communication skills

Organisational skills

Independent & collaborative work

Workshop delivery

Animal behaviour qualifications

Education

Animal behaviour qualification

Tools

Driver's licence

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

As a Behaviour Trainer, you'll play a pivotal role in improving the lives of animals across RSPCA Queensland by delivering hands-on behavioural care, rehabilitation and training that helps more animals find and stay in loving homes.

Collaborating with Animal Care, Veterinary Services, Foster and Adoption teams, you'll combine practical animal training with coaching and education to build capability across the organisation. From working directly with animals and supporting behavioural rehabilitation to mentoring staff, guiding foster carers and travelling to regional shelters, this is a varied, rewarding role where your expertise will create lasting impact for both animals and people.

If you're passionate about positive, evidence-based training and believe every animal deserves the opportunity to succeed, we'd love to hear from you.

What We’re Looking For

We're looking for an experienced animal behaviour professional who is passionate about positive, force-free training and enjoys sharing their knowledge with others. You're equally comfortable working hands-on with animals as you are coaching colleagues, supporting foster carers and educating adopters, adapting your communication style to suit a wide range of audiences.

You'll bring excellent observational skills, sound judgement and the ability to remain calm and solutions-focused when working with complex behavioural cases. Organised, adaptable and collaborative, you enjoy working across multidisciplinary teams and are motivated by continually improving behavioural outcomes through education, consistency and evidence-based practice.

Most importantly, you're someone who leads with patience, empathy and professionalism, building confidence in both animals and the people who care for them.

What You’ll Do

In this role, you will:

• Deliver hands-on behavioural training and rehabilitation for animals in care.
• Conduct behavioural assessments and develop individual behaviour plans.
• Implement positive, fear-free and choice-based training techniques.
• Monitor behavioural progress and maintain accurate records.
• Coach and mentor Animal Attendants, Behaviour teams, Foster teams and Adoption staff.
• Deliver practical behavioural training across RSPCA Queensland, including regional shelters.
• Support foster carers and adopters with behavioural advice and education.
• Contribute to behaviour assessments, rehabilitation, foster and adoption pathways.
• Assist with developing training resources and behaviour programs.
• Work collaboratively with Veterinary Services, Animal Care, Foster and Adoption teams to achieve the best possible outcomes for every animal.

What You’ll Bring to the Role

• Demonstrated experience training animals using evidence-based, force-free methods.
• Strong understanding of canine and feline behaviour.
• Experience coaching, mentoring or educating others.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Confidence working independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Qualifications in animal behaviour or training will be highly regarded.
• Experience delivering practical workshops or training sessions is desirable.
• Current driver's licence and willingness to travel across Queensland.

Why Join Us?

• Comprehensive Support: Enjoy 8 weeks of paid parental leave, flexible working arrangements, study leave, and even leave for your furry companions. We also provide access to counselling and mental health services.
• Employee Perks: From free on-site parking to exclusive discounts, novated leases, and 50% off Royal Canin pet food, we’ve got you covered! You can also adopt a new furry friend with free adoption options.
• 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.

Join a passionate and collaborative team where your expertise will help improve animal welfare, support successful adoptions and influence behaviour practices across Queensland.

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.