Senior Animal Licensing Officer — Flexible, Hybrid

Dacorum Borough Council; Hemel Hempstead; Hybrid; GBP 31,000 - 33,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous holiday entitlement

Pension scheme with 17.1% employer

Flexible working patterns

Car salary sacrifice scheme

Job summary

Dacorum Borough Council is recruiting a Senior Animal Activity Licensing Officer on a 2 year fixed term contract. You will assess licence applications, conduct inspections, provide guidance to operators, and take enforcement action where required to ensure animal welfare standards are met.

The role involves working with animal businesses, veterinary professionals and partner agencies, with flexible and hybrid working patterns and a focus on regulatory excellence and public protection.

Qualifications

• Substantial knowledge and practical experience of the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018, guidance, and relevant animal welfare legislation.
• Experience carrying out inspections, assessing compliance, producing detailed reports, and making licensing or enforcement decisions.
• Ability to assess premises, facilities, management practices and the care provided to animals.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and report-writing skills, with the ability to explain complex requirements clearly.
• Capability to work independently, manage competing priorities and make sound judgments.
• Willingness to drive and use a car for inspections.

Responsibilities

• Assess applications for animal activity licences and determine compliance with statutory requirements.
• Undertake inspections of licensed premises and activities, evaluating accommodation, management, records, staffing and compliance.
• Prepare detailed inspection reports, licence recommendations, and associated documentation.
• Provide clear guidance to licence holders and applicants to support compliance with legislation and welfare standards.
• Monitor licensed establishments and respond to complaints related to welfare or unlicensed activities.
• Take proportionate enforcement action as needed and collaborate with other agencies.
• Maintain accurate records and ensure licensing decisions are properly documented.
• Stay up to date with changes in legislation, guidance, case law and best practices.

Skills

Licence assessments

Inspections

Advice & guidance

Enforcement action

Report writing

Stakeholder engagement

Independent working

Job description

Dacorum Borough Council is recruiting a Senior Animal Activity Licensing Officer on a 2 year fixed term contract. You will assess licence applications, conduct inspections, provide guidance to operators, and take enforcement action where required to ensure animal welfare standards are met.

The role involves working with animal businesses, veterinary professionals and partner agencies, with flexible and hybrid working patterns and a focus on regulatory excellence and public protection.