Leading Pound Officer

Reference Number: 13678
Salary Range: $73,192.58 - $78,176.92 per annum
Location: Cairns Regional Council Pound - McCoombe Street, Cairns - Qld
Applications Close: Friday, 1 October 2021  

We are now seeking a highly motivated and experienced professional who is passionate about caring for animals to join our Animal Management Team. Our Leading Pound Officer is primarily responsible for the welfare of the more than 1600 pets that are impounded each year, this includes ensuring they are well looked after when in our care and working with pet owners to return their lost furry family member.

The Leading Pound Officer will have a key role in bringing Council’s new Animal Care Facility online when it is completed in the first half of 2022.

About the Animal Management Team

Council’s Animal Management Team provides a wide range of pet and animal services for our residents. This includes collecting lost pets, managing barking complaints and investigating dog attacks. We also provide community education to ensure the safety of pets, their owners and the community.

The Role

Reporting to the Supervisor Animal Management, as the Leading Pound Officer you will be responsible for the day-to-day operation of Council’s animal and vehicle impound facility.

Pets are an important part of people’s lives. You will therefore have a knack for speaking with people from all walks of life and be able to balance empathy for the customer’s situation and the need to follow Council regulations.

Not all pets can be returned to their owners or rehomed, so you will also need to be pragmatic about the options available to you. 

Working independently, the Leading Pound Officer will be able to interpret and apply Council regulations and requirements to individual circumstances and be comfortable making decisions.

The opening of Council’s new Animal Care Facility in the first half of 2022 will be an opportunity to improve our service delivery and customer engagement. This is a great opportunity for an enthusiastic strategic thinker who can take our pound to the next level of customer service.

Key Duties

The Leading Pound officer will also:

• Ensure customer enquiries and requests are conducted in a timely a professional manner
• Monitor and manage impounded animals that show symptoms of illness or disease and make recommendations on their care
• Monitor and manage assessment of animals for euthanasia in accordance with Council procedures
• Transport animals for veterinary care
• Ensure impound procedures are met by all officers bringing animals and vehicles to the facility
• Monitor and manage the release of animals and vehicles
• Investigate matters relating to abandoned vehicles including searching vehicles for dangerous or hazardous material
• Work with Council’s online auctioneer to prepare and release vehicles offered at auction

The Benefits

The Leading Pound Officer will receive:

• 9 Day Fortnight
• Up to 5 weeks annual leave
• 12% contribution to superannuation
• Annual leave loading
• Subsidised uniform allowance
• Subsidised health and well-being membership (gym / swimming pool)
• On-going opportunities for learning and professional development 

Please review the full Position Description for further information on duties and responsibilities.

How to apply

Your application must be submitted online and must consist of the following:

• Cover Letter addressing the three main elements as detailed in the full selection criteria.
• Copy of your Resume.

Applications not addressing the full selection criteria will not be accepted.

Pre-Employment Assessment:

As part of the selection process applicants may be required to undertake some or all of the following pre‑employment assessments / checks:-  

• Pre‑employment medical, which will include a functional capacity assessment and drug and alcohol test.
• National police / criminal history check

Employment Eligibility:

To be eligible to apply for a position at Cairns Regional Council, you must fulfil one of the following criteria:-

• Permanent resident of Australia
• Australian Citizen
• New Zealand Citizen
• Entitlement to work visa