Regulatory Compliance Officer

Walgett Shire Council; Walgett; On-site; AUD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Walgett Shire Council seeks an experienced Regulatory Compliance Officer (or Senior) to join a developing team. You will work on companion animal management, welfare, impounding and enforcement, and contribute to shaping service delivery with strong judgment and collaboration across agencies.

The role emphasizes practical problem solving, education over enforcement when possible, and cross‑team coordination in a remote, multi-location setting within the Walgett Shire.

Qualifications

• Experience in regulatory compliance and investigations.
• Ability to interpret legislation such as local government acts and environmental laws.
• Strong communication and field decision-making skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support regulatory activities including companion animal management, impounding and enforcement.
• Investigate complaints, gather evidence, prepare matters, and liaise with other agencies.
• Deliver education and outreach, and contribute to policy development and process improvements across the service.

Skills

Regulatory Compliance

Law Enforcement

Ranger Services

Investigations

Communication Skills

Education

Certificate IV in Local Government (Regulatory Services)

Job description

Join a new, quality-driven regulatory team where your experience, judgement and ideas will be genuinely valued. Walgett Shire Council is looking for an experienced Regulatory Compliance Officer or Senior Regulatory Compliance Officer to become part of a new and developing regulatory compliance team. We want to build a team that is known for the quality of its work, good judgement, professionalism and the way its people support one another. This is not a role where we expect you to simply follow the way things have always been done. Your experience matters. If you have spent time working as a ranger, law enforcement or regulatory compliance officer, you will have developed views about what works, what does not work and how regulatory services can be delivered better. We want you to bring that experience with you. You will work alongside or supervise another Regulatory Compliance Officer and a broader team that values different perspectives, shares knowledge and expects its people to contribute ideas. The officers doing the work are often the first to see where a process could be improved, and we want you involved in shaping how the service develops.

The role provides plenty of variety, including companion animal management, animal welfare, impounding, pound operations and rehoming; investigating illegal dumping, unauthorised camping, abandoned vehicles, littering, noise and environmental nuisance; undertaking regulatory investigations, gathering evidence and preparing matters that can withstand scrutiny; issuing notices, orders and infringements where necessary; using education, negotiation and practical problem solving to achieve compliance before moving to formal enforcement where appropriate. You will work with NSW Police, NSW Health, animal welfare organisations, rescue groups and other government agencies, deliver community education and build better relationships between Council and the communities we serve, and contribute your experience and ideas to operational planning, policies, programs and improvements across the regulatory service.

The position can be based at Walgett, Lightning Ridge or Collarenebri, giving you the opportunity to live and work in the part of the Shire that best suits you.

About you

We are looking for someone who knows that good regulatory work is about more than issuing fines. You will be comfortable making decisions in the field, talking to people from all walks of life and deciding when education, negotiation or enforcement is the right approach. You will ideally bring:

• Experience in regulatory compliance, law enforcement, ranger services, companion animal management or a similar field
• Sound knowledge or ability to interpret relevant legislation, including the Companion Animals Act 1998, Impounding Act 1993, Local Government Act 1993 and Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997
• Experience conducting investigations, gathering evidence and making sound and defensible decisions
• Confidence handling companion animals safely and professionally
• Strong communication skills and the ability to deal respectfully with people, including when situations become difficult
• The confidence to put forward your ideas and professional views, while also being prepared to listen to and learn from your colleagues
• A willingness to share what you know, help others develop and contribute to building a strong team
• The ability to work independently in the field while recognising that the best regulatory services are delivered by people who communicate and back each other as a team

A Certificate IV in Local Government (Regulatory Services), similar qualification or equivalent demonstrated experience is required, together with a current Class C driver's licence.