Proactive Animal Management Officer

Auckland Council Group; Auckland; On-site; NZD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Auckland Council is seeking a Proactive Animal Management Officer to reduce dog-related harm and nuisance across Auckland. The role focuses on community engagement, education, and intelligence-led enforcement to improve compliance with the Dog Control Act 1996.

Based in the Manukau office, the role operates on a rolling 5-week roster with some weekend work. You will join a supportive team and contribute to safer communities by managing high-risk cases with empathy and cultural awareness.

Qualifications

• Experience in public-facing, compliance, enforcement, or community engagement roles.
• Strong relationship-building and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Confidence in public speaking and group engagement.
• Excellent customer service and conflict management skills.
• Calm, empathetic approach to resolving challenging situations.
• Cultural awareness and understanding of local communities.

Responsibilities

• Reduce dog-related harm and nuisance across Auckland.
• Engage with communities to educate and promote responsible dog ownership.
• Deliver proactive, intelligence-led compliance work in high-risk areas.
• Deliver targeted initiatives across Tamaki Makaurau, focusing on high-risk suburbs.
• Handle aggressive dogs when needed; participate in community engagement events.
• Operate in a rolling 5-week roster including some weekend work.

Skills

Public-facing roles

Relationship-building

Public speaking

Customer service

Conflict management

Cultural awareness

Job description

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert:

• Reduce dog‑related harm and nuisance across Auckland
• Engage with communities to educate and promote responsible dog ownership
• Deliver proactive, intelligence‑led compliance work in high‑risk areas

In this highly rewarding role, you will be making a real difference in local communities by helping to reduce dog‑related harm and nuisance and supporting our goal of making dogs a positive part of Aucklanders’ lives.

You will join the Proactive Animal Management team, which has a strong focus on community engagement and education, alongside intelligence‑led enforcement activities to enhance compliance with the Dog Control Act 1996.

With support from a large and experienced team, you will deliver targeted, proactive initiatives across Tāmaki Makaurau, with a particular focus on high‑risk suburbs.

This role may involve aggressive dog handling, de‑escalation techniques, public speaking, and participation in community engagement events.

The role is permanent full time based in our Manukau office and operates on a rolling 5‑week roster, which includes some weekend work.

We are seeking a conscientious and community‑minded professional who is passionate about public safety and positive outcomes for whānau and communities.

You will bring:

• Experience in public‑facing, compliance, enforcement, or community engagement roles
• Strong relationship‑building and stakeholder engagement skills
• Confidence in public speaking and group engagement
• Excellent customer service and conflict management skills
• A calm, empathetic approach to resolving challenging situations
• Cultural awareness and an understanding of local communities

Confidence dealing with aggressive dogs is important; training will be provided.

A current, full clean NewZealand driver’s licence is required.

At Auckland Council, you will join a dynamic, supportive environment where your mahi (work) will directly impact the lives of over 1.7 million Aucklanders. We offer flexible working conditions, a focus on well‑being, and a culture of continuous improvement.

We are proud to be recognised for our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. We are accredited by GenderTick, a signatory of the Pride Pledge. These commitments reflect our ongoing efforts to create a workplace where all staff feel valued, respected, and empowered to thrive.

Together, we can create a Tāmaki Makaurau we can all be proud of.

As part of our organisation, please view a range of our: benefits

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Watch how Animal Compliance Officers contribute to our Auckland community here

Find a copy of the position description here

Notes:

• The official title for this role is Proactive Animal Management Officer and the duties will vary from what is shown in the video.
• We appreciate your interest in this role. If you have applied within the past three months, we will not require you to apply again

This role is deemed safety-sensitive and in line with Auckland Council policy, you will be required to complete pre-employment drug and alcohol testing.

Auckland Council is committed to protecting your privacy in accordance with the Privacy Act 2020. We collect personal information directly from you and, where relevant for the purpose of assessing you for employment, and employing you as part of the transport reform process, from third parties such as referees, previous employers (including Auckland Transport) recruitment agencies, and background checking providers.

By applying for this role, you consent to Council obtaining a reference from your current employer, including information about any active conduct investigations and current performance management processes, if you are the preferred candidate. Reference checks will only be undertaken at the preferred candidate stage. Any non-active performance or conduct matters may also be discussed with referees as part of the reference checking process.

If you do not consent to this information being provided, Council may be unable to properly assess your application and your application will not progress further. If you wish to withhold your consent, or to access or correct your personal information, please contact the Privacy Officer at [e-mail] .

Auckland Council is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) and we are committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of application to assist you through the recruitment process.

Employees in receipt of salary protection and/or on the predecessor Council terms and conditions of employment, please note that the salary protection and/or predecessor Council terms and conditions, including relocation, apply to your current position. Should you change to a new position (other than any secondment) you will be issued with a new employment letter of offer with current Auckland Council terms and conditions.