Kennels Team Lead: Animal Welfare & Community Impact

Hamilton City Council; Hamilton; On-site; NZD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Wellbeing days

Fully funded health insurance

Annual eye care

Job summary

Hamilton City Council is seeking a Kennels Team Leader to manage animal health and welfare, promote responsible dog ownership, and lead a dedicated kennels team in Hamilton. You will drive best-practice animal care, support adoptions, manage complex handling situations, and develop a high-performing team aligned with council goals.

Ideal candidates will have veterinary nursing or related experience, leadership ability, and a strong commitment to community wellbeing.

Qualifications

• Confident people leader with sound judgement, resilience and compassion for animals.
• Experience with dogs and other animals, including handling dogs of all temperaments.
• Previous leadership experience, with the ability to motivate, coach, and develop others.
• Experience interpreting and applying legislation, policies, or regulatory requirements.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Strong customer service skills and the ability to manage challenging conversations and difficult situations with confidence and professionalism.
• Emotional resilience and the ability to support both customers and team members through sensitive and sometimes difficult circumstances.
• Strong administration and record-keeping skills, with excellent attention to detail.
• A full New Zealand drivers licence.

Responsibilities

• Leading, coaching, and developing the kennels team to deliver outstanding service and operational excellence.
• Managing the day-to-day operation of the kennel and reception functions, ensuring customers receive a professional, responsive, and positive experience.
• Overseeing kennel administration processes, records, compliance requirements, and operational procedures to support efficient service delivery.
• Ensuring the health, welfare, and care of all animals in our custody meets best-practice standards.
• Maintaining compliance with animal welfare regulations, kennel hygiene requirements, and Council procedures.
• Supporting and growing our successful dog adoption programme, helping dogs find their forever homes.
• Managing the weekly vet visits, veterinary-related processes and assisting with animal management procedures, including euthanasia.
• Building strong relationships with customers, veterinarians, contractors, community, organisations, and other stakeholders.
• Supporting your team to effectively manage difficult, emotional, and sometimes confrontational customer interactions with professionalism and empathy.
• Ensuring kennel operations are well-resourced, efficient, and aligned with organisational goals.
• Promoting a strong health, safety, and wellbeing culture across the team.

Skills

Leadership

Dog handling

Communication

Customer service

Emotional resilience

Education

Veterinary nursing

Animal behaviour

Animal management

Tools

Record-keeping software

Computer skills

Job description

Hamilton City Council is seeking a Kennels Team Leader to manage animal health and welfare, promote responsible dog ownership, and lead a dedicated kennels team in Hamilton. You will drive best-practice animal care, support adoptions, manage complex handling situations, and develop a high-performing team aligned with council goals.

Ideal candidates will have veterinary nursing or related experience, leadership ability, and a strong commitment to community wellbeing.