Ranger

Muswellbrook Shire Council; Muswellbrook Shire Council; On-site; AUD 74,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary and benefits

Permanent full-time (35 hours/week)

Training & Professional Development

Flexi time

Staff discount on local facilities

Employee assistance program

Job summary

Muswellbrook Shire Council is seeking a Ranger to monitor regulatory areas, enforce animal control and parking regulations, and prepare documentation for enforcement actions. The role includes fieldwork, data recording, and occasional court appearances.

Ideal candidates will hold a Certificate IV in Local Government (Regulatory Services) or equivalent, with experience in regulatory compliance, animal handling, and driver’s licensing. The position offers full-time hours and a benefits package.

Qualifications

• Certificate IV in Local Government (Regulatory Services) or equivalent experience.
• Experience in regulatory compliance management preferable in local government.

Responsibilities

• Monitor animal control and regulatory duties under Council’s jurisdiction.
• Respond to customer service requests and record investigations.
• Prepare evidence and draft notices and court documents as required.
• Attend Court hearings on behalf of Council in relation to compliance matters.
• Impanel companion animals, livestock and investigate dog attacks.
• Patrol parking areas and issue infringement notices where laws are violated.
• Assist with health checks and assessments of impounded animals.

Skills

Regulatory compliance

Legislation interpretation

Animal handling

NSW Drivers license

Education

Certificate IV in Local Government (Regulatory Services)

Tools

NSW Companion Animals Register

DRIVES

RID Online

Business Partners

SEINS

Job description

The Ranger will monitor legislative areas under Council’s jurisdiction to enforce legislation relating to but notlimited to; animal control, public realm parking, illegal dumping, abandoned articles and other regulatorymatters, ensuring documentation is appropriately stored and recorded.

Key Responsibilities

• Required to undertake a range of animal management duties, including field capture and safe restraint, animal care and handling, transportation, microchipping, returning animals to their owners, rehoming, and humane euthanasia where required.
• Respond to and action customer service requests
• Ensure community concerns or service requests are recorded and investigated. Such investigations may include illegal dumping, dog attacks, neighbourhood noise and abandoned articles.
• Prepare supporting evidence and draft legal documents including Notices of Intention, Orders and PenaltyInfringement Notices
• Attend Court hearings on behalf of Council in relation to compliance matters
• Explain legislative requirements to companion animal owners
• Impound companion animals, livestock and investigate dog attacks in accordance with relevant legislationand Council policies and examine impounded animals for injury immediately after capture.
• Assist with the effective delivery of the Community Animal Education Program
• On a regular basis, patrol designated parking areas, school zones and Council owned car parks to check thatvehicles are legally parked and have not exceeded maximum parking times. Issue penalty infringementnotices where legislative laws have been violated.
• Assist Animal Shelter Co-ordinator and Senior Ranger with health checks, behaviour assessments ofimpounded animals and animal shelter duties.

About you

• Certificate IV in Local Government (Regulatory Services) or equivalent experience.
• Experience related to regulatory compliance management preferably but not essential in a localgovernment environment.
• Ability to interpret and implement complex legislation such as Protection of the EnvironmentOperations Act and association regulations as well as complimentary legislation such as the ListeningDevices Act and the Evidence Act.
• Competent in the use of government databases such as NSW Companion Animals Register, DRIVES,RID Online and Business Partners (desirable).
• Competent in the use of the NSW Self-Enforcing Infringement Notice Scheme (SEINS) (desirable).
• Competent animal handling skills, including (but not limited to) companion animals, livestock, poultry, including attention to animal behaviour, health and welfare, including difficult animals.
• Authorised Identifier who has successfully completed an approved microchipping training course
• Current NSW Drivers license.

What we offer

• Permanent, full time, 35 hours per week
• Salaryfrom $74,303 to $80,179per year(depending on qualifications, skills and experience)plus 12% superannuation
• Training Courses + Professional Development
• Flexible work arrangements with access to Indoor Accrued Time (Flexi)
• 40% discount on yearly Aquatic and Fitness Centre membership for staff and families at local facility (conditions apply)
• Access to EAP program for employees and their immediate family

About Muswellbrook

Muswellbrook Shire Council is a progressive local government area, located under two hours from Newcastle and Tamworth and three hours from Sydney, in the beautiful Upper Hunter Valley.

The Shire has a long history in energy generation and is one of the largest coal mining areas in Australia. As we move towards a Net Zero economy, we are at the centre of renewable energy transition and innovation.

Working at Muswellbrook Shire Council, you will be part of driving change to create a bright and prosperous future for our community, in a location which has plentiful opportunities and an enviable lifestyle.

It is a great place to grow your career and be part of something bigger – we have space for you.

Please note that as part of Muswellbrook shire Council's recruitment process, prior to an offer of employment being made, recommended candidates may be subject to a medical assessment which may include alcohol and other drugs testing.

Applications close on 13 October 2026 at 11:59pm.