About the role
Our municipality covers over 1256 square km’s, over 250km of beaches, trails and paths and 40,000 registered domestic animals, and you will be part of a team responsible for delivering one of the largest Animal Management Programs in Victoria

Join our Community Safety & Regulation Team as an Authorised Officer, where you will play a key role in promoting responsible pet ownership, supporting community wellbeing, and helping maintain a safe and compliant municipality.

In this role, you will take a proactive approach to animal patrols, community engagement, and routine compliance activities, working closely with residents to provide education, guidance, and support.

You will help deliver Council’s policies, Domestic Animal Management Plan, and relevant legislation by responding to service requests, conducting compliance patrols, addressing routine offences, and referring complex matters for further investigation and enforcement action when required.

Work type: Permanent Full Time
Classification: Band 4 $76,010 plus super (from 1 July 2026)

Key responsibilities include:

• Deliver proactive patrols and community engagement activities to promote responsible pet ownership and compliance with relevant legislation and local laws.
• Provide general advice and guidance to community members and animal business operators, referring complex or non-standard matters to a Senior Officer or Team Leader.
• Assist with routine customer service requests, including animals at large, lost and found animals, and minor nuisance matters.
• Follow up non-compliance with enforcement action including preparation of legal directive notices and the issuance of infringements.

About you
We are looking for a confident and approachable professional who is comfortable working with domestic animals and passionate about supporting the community. You will bring strong interpersonal skills, a calm and practical approach to resolving complex situations, and the ability to make sound decisions in the field. A proactive, safety-first mindset and a commitment to delivering positive outcomes are essential for success in this role.

Essential Experience:

• Ability to communicate effectively with the public and provide information or guidance to promote compliance with legislation and local laws, escalating complex matters as required.
• High level of resilience, dispute resolution/negotiations skills and the ability to solve problems and offer solutions to resolve issues.
• Ability to maintain thorough notes of activities undertaken, including maintaining appropriate administrative and information recording systems.
• Ability to identify domestic animals, understand their behaviors and needs, assess their condition and safely capture, transport and impound animals following established procedures.
• Experience in a similar role, or knowledge of and ability to interpret and explain legislation and policies specific to animal management, will be highly regarded.
• Hold a Current Working with Children’s Check (Employee) and Drivers Licence.

Preferred candidates will be required to undergo a National Police Check and a Pre Employment Medical Assessment as part of the recruitment process (funded by the City).

If this sounds like the role for you, then click apply now!

Child Safety Responsibilities 
We are committed to being a child-safe organisation and have zero-tolerance for child abuse. We have specific policies, procedures, and mandatory training in place to support employees, volunteers, and contractors to achieve and adhere to these commitments. Please read our Child Safe Standards Management Policy.  

Diversity and Inclusion 
At the City we want a workforce that reflects the community we live in. We welcome and embrace everyone, all people with their own unique experiences, and support and encourage all our employees to do their best work, have equal access to opportunities and a just working environment. For this reason, we particularly welcome and encourage applications from First Nations people, people with diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, from the LGBTQIA+ community, people with disability and people of all genders, ages and diverse experience.

We are the City
From parks to offices, childcare centres to works depots, leisure facilities to the Wool Museum and waterfront, our team plays a vital role in shaping our vibrant and growing community. Our community counts on us to get the essentials right while looking for ways to go beyond. By listening, collaborating, and focusing on sustainability, we strive to do the basics brilliantly and create a lasting impact. If you’re ready to be part of something bigger, join us in shaping the future of Geelong.

We support accessibility and encourage discussions about any adjustments or support you may need during the recruitment process.

Applications and Enquiries
Click the Position Description link to view more information about this position.

Enquiries: Dave Neighbour – Team Leader Animal Management Services | 0427 222633 | DNeighbour@geelongcity.vic.gov.au

Click the Apply button to submit your application or find out more about this opportunity. If we can assist you with any reasonable adjustments in order to submit your application for this role, please contact the Talent Acquisition team via email at careers@geelongcity.vic.gov.au  noting your preferred method of communication and contact details and a member of the team will be in touch.

We collect demographic data to help us learn who our advertisements are reaching and how we can reach an even more diverse audience. We are committed to building a more diverse team. Your responses to our demographic questions are strictly confidential and will not be individually shared.

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