Animal Services Officer

Wellington City Council; Wellington; Sur place; NZD 85 000 - 100 000; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

5 weeks annual leave

Flexible working options

Health & wellbeing support

Staff discounts

Learning and development programmes

Résumé du poste

Wellington City Council is seeking an Animal Services Officer to join our Regulatory Services team. You will educate the public, investigate incidents, and help enforce dog control bylaws to keep our communities safe and well cared for.

You’ll be based in Wellington, responding to a wide range of animal-related requests, patrolling the city, gathering evidence, and promoting responsible ownership through education and enforcement. Weekend rosters apply.

Qualifications

• Experience handling dogs and understanding dog behaviour in diverse situations.
• Experience in animal management, compliance, enforcement, regulatory services, customer service, or related field.
• Strong communication skills and ability to engage with a diverse range of people.
• Sound judgement and ability to de-escalate difficult situations.
• Full, current New Zealand driver’s licence and roaster availability including weekends.

Responsabilités

• Educate dog owners on Dog Control Act requirements and bylaws.
• Respond to a wide range of animal-related enquiries and incidents in Wellington.
• Investigate complaints and incidents involving dogs and other animals.
• Enforce relevant legislation, bylaws, and Council policies.
• Conduct patrols, inspections, compliance checks, and education programmes.
• Gather evidence, prepare case files, and support regulatory decision-making.
• Promote responsible animal ownership through education, engagement, and enforcement.
• Participate in roster including weekend work and after-hours response when required.

Connaissances

Dog handling

Communication

Investigation

De-escalation

Driver's licence

Formation

Animal science or related discipline

Description du poste

Do you enjoy working outdoors, engaging with the community, and making a real difference every day? Are you confident handling challenging situations, educating the public, and ensuring legislation is applied fairly and consistently?

The Regulatory Services team plays a vital role in protecting public health and safety while delivering responsive, customer-focused services to our communities.

Wellington City Council is looking for an Animal Services Officer to join our Regulatory Services team. This is a varied and rewarding role where no two days are the same. One day you might be investigating a dog related incident, the next responding to a complaint about bees conducting community education, or helping resolve concerns involving domestic animals

This is an opportunity to combine community engagement, investigation work, and regulatory enforcement in a role that has a direct impact on Wellington's safety and wellbeing.

Āu ake mahi | What you'll do

As an Animal Services Officer, you'll help provide a safe and enjoyable environment for Wellingtonians through education, enforcement, and community engagement. You'll work across the city responding to a wide range of animal-related requests, investigating incidents, supporting compliance with legislation and bylaws, and promoting responsible animal ownership.

Key responsibilities include:

• Being visible to the Wellington community through educating dog owners on the requirements of the Dog Control Act and associated bylaws and policies
• Responding to a wide range of animal-related enquiries and incidents across Wellington.
• Investigating complaints and incidents involving dogs and other animals.
• Managing public safety, and nuisance-related matters.
• Enforcing relevant legislation, bylaws, and Council policies.
• Conducting patrols, inspections, compliance checks, and education programmes.
• Gathering evidence, preparing case files, and supporting regulatory decision-making.
• Promoting responsible animal ownership through education, engagement, and enforcement.
• Participating in a roster that includes weekend work and after-hours response when required.

Ngā tohu me ngā wheako | Qualifications and experience

We're looking for someone who is confident, resilient, and passionate about working with both people and animals. You'll be comfortable making decisions in dynamic situations while remaining calm, professional, and customer focused.

You will bring:

• Experience in handling dogs , and a good understanding of dog behaviour in a range of situations
• Animal management, compliance, enforcement, regulatory services, customer service, or a related field.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to engage effectively with a diverse range of people.
• Sound judgement and the ability to de-escalate difficult situations.
• Strong investigation, problem-solving, and information-gathering skills.
• Experience interpreting and applying legislation, policies, or regulations.
• A genuine interest in responsible animal ownership.
• The ability to work independently and as part of a close-knit team.
• A full, current New Zealand driver's licence.
• The flexibility to work a roster that includes weekends.

Qualifications in animal science, animal management, canine behaviour, animal care, compliance, or a related discipline would be advantageous.

We are looking to appoint between $84,977 and $99,972 per annum, for this role, depending on relevant skills and experience.

Nōu te rourou | What's in it for you

At Wellington City Council, you'll be part of a team that genuinely cares about Wellington, its people, and its animals. You'll enjoy meaningful work, supportive colleagues, and the opportunity to make a visible difference in our city every day.

Working for the Council offers you a range of benefits including 5 weeks annual leave, flexible working options, health and wellbeing support, Council staff discounts and a range of learning and development programmes and opportunities.

We want your application to enable you to portray the real you. Skills are gained across many areas of our life, not just formal employment. If you can demonstrate the skills listed in the advert through whānau life, community or mahi aroha (volunteering) we encourage you to apply and share your story with us in your cover letter.

We welcome applications from all people and like our workforce to reflect the diverse communities we serve.

Accessibility Support:

We want to make sure any accessibility requirements you may have, are well supported so the selection process is equitable for everyone. Please let us know if there are any adjustments or support, we can offer to make our process more accessible to you by emailing: [e-mail]

Applications close 23 October 2026. Please note that we may engage with applicants prior to the vacancy closing and/or close applications ahead of this date so we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.

All applications must be submitted online

and must have the right to work in New Zealand – we will not accept emailed applications.

Pre-employment Checks:

All employees must undergo a Criminal Conviction Check, the results of which will be held on your employee file if employed.