Animal Welfare Inspector / Palmerston North

SPCA; Palmerston North; On-site; NZD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Make a difference

Learning opportunities

Fresh ideas

Like-minded teammates

Job summary

SPCA in Palmerston North seeks an Animal Welfare Inspector for a 12-month fixed term role. The position involves frontline welfare work, driving, and community education, with shifts between 7:00 am and 7:00 pm, Monday to Sunday.

You will train toward becoming a warranted Inspector, with long-term opportunities upon qualification. The role requires compassion for animals, strong communication, and the ability to handle challenging situations while maintaining meticulous records and compliance

Qualifications

• Must have a full, clean, current driver's license and the ability to drive both automatic and manual vehicles.
• Experience with animal handling and knowledge is required.
• Strong influencing and conflict management abilities are essential.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills are needed.
• Ability to think quickly and adapt to changing situations.
• Strong documentation and compliance skills are required.

Responsibilities

• Respond to welfare concerns and provide guidance and education in the community.
• Complete routine welfare checks and conduct investigations into animal welfare issues.
• Split time between driving, engaging with people, and maintaining accurate records.

Skills

Full clean driver's license

Animal handling experience

Influencing and conflict management

Strong communication and customer care

Think on your feet

Documentation and compliance

Job description

Animal Welfare Inspector / Palmerston North

Posted: 11/11/2026

Closing Date: 18/11/2026

Job Type: Fixed Term - Full Time

Location: Palmerston North

Job Category: Animal Welfare

ABOUT THE ROLE

We have an exciting opportunity for an Animal Welfare Inspectorto join our Animal Services team based in Palmerston North . This is initially a 12 month fixed term role, where we will train you to become a fully qualified and warranted Inspector. Once you have achieved this qualification, we then offer you a permanent role. This is a rostered role where your shifts will fall between7:00 am and 7:00 pm, Monday to Sunday.

In this role you get to see the best and the worst. It is a rewarding, fulfilling, and essential role, as well as demanding, heartbreaking and physical. It takes a special kind of person to do this role but what you get back can really fill your cup.

Our Inspectorate Teams work on the frontline everyday, being the first port of call, helping animals who are abused or neglected, are injured or vulnerable. Our Inspectorate Teams are the humans who intervene on their behalf.

You will provide a response to welfare concerns, provide guidance and education in the community, complete routine welfare checks and conduct investigations into animal welfare offending.

You will split your time between driving, engaging with people and maintaining accurate notes and records. It requires a lot of compliance due to the nature of the role with the power to protect all animals including prosecuting people under the Animal Welfare Act 1999.

ABOUT YOU

You’re an animal advocate, you are passionate about animal welfare, care and education. Our vision, purpose and values resonate with you and you have a love for working with both humans and animals.

You will also have –

• A full, clean and current drivers license and the ability to drive both automatic and manual vehicles
• Animal handling experience and knowledge
• Influencing and conflict management skills
• Strong communication and customer service skills
• The ability to think on your feet
• Strong with documentation and compliance

OUR PURRKS

Our team is full of passionate, purpose-driven people who love animals and want to make the world a kinder and more compassionate place. Some other purrks include –

• To be a part of the greater good – to have the privilege of making a difference to the welfare of animals across New Zealand
• Consistent support and an opportunity to continue to learn
• Opportunity to bring fresh thinking and new ideas to get involved in projects that can build on the solid foundation that we have
• To work with like minded people

ABOUT THE TEAM

Our Centres are a hive of activity where every day is dedicated to animal welfare, community connection and making a real difference. We have Centre Managers, Vets, Vet Nurses, Animal Attendants, Foster Coordinators, Customer Services Officers and everything in between. Our people are kind, resilient, customer centric and calm under pressure.

Sound like your team?

ABOUT US

The SPCA helps protect over 30,000 animals every year. By rescuing, rehabilitating, sheltering and advocating for animals, we are directly improving their lives. Our Animal Services teams run our 28 Centres, from Kerikeri to Invercargill and they are essential in us being able to do the work we do.

Applications for this role may be reviewed as they are received so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible!

We have a diverse, inclusive and values driven culture at SPCA. We value a diverse work environment because teams are stronger with different perspectives and experiences, so we welcome people from all walks of life to apply.

All applicants must possess the legal right to work in New Zealand, either as a New Zealand or Australian Citizen or by holding a valid working visa.

Simply click Apply and complete our simple online application process*.