- Permanent / Full Time
- Monday to Friday, 76 hours per fortnight, 9 day fortnight
- $112,508 – $117,082 per annum (LGIA Stream A Level 5 (38) + Site Allowance) + Superannuation
- Location – Gracemere
Your new role
In this role, you will oversee the day-to-day operations of Council’s Animal Management Centre, ensuring services are delivered efficiently, ethically and in line with legislative requirements and Council policies. You will lead and support a dedicated team, managing rosters, performance and development, while fostering a culture of accountability, safety and high-quality animal care.
With a strong focus on animal welfare and compliance, you will ensure all animals are managed humanely and that records, registration and operational practices meet required standards.
You will play a key role in guiding operational decisions and continuous improvement initiatives, managing stakeholder relationships with veterinarians and rehoming organisations, and providing expert advice on complex or sensitive animal management matters.
This is a hands-on leadership position where you are the primary operational decision maker, responsible for ensuring the Animal Management Centre runs effectively, lawfully and without disruption. The requiring sound judgement, strong communication skills and the ability to balance operational demands with strategic priorities to deliver positive outcomes for the community, Council and the animals in our care.
This position requires the completion of a satisfactory Criminal History Check - Police Certificate (Australia Wide Name Only Police Check).
What we are looking for
- Demonstrated experience in animal management, animal welfare or a similar compliance-based operational environment, with proven supervisory capability.
- Strong practical knowledge of relevant legislation, animal welfare standards and animal husbandry practices.
- Proven ability to make sound, defensible decisions in complex or sensitive situations, ensuring all actions are lawful and aligned with policy.
- Ability to lead, develop and manage staff performance, including rostering, coaching and driving a positive team culture.
- Highly developed communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to manage difficult conversations and experience liaising with internal and external stakeholders and the community.
- Strong attention to detail, with the ability to ensure accurate record keeping, data integrity and audit-ready practices.
- Demonstrated commitment to workplace health and safety, ensuring a safe environment for staff, animals and the community.
- Certificate in Microchip Implantation of Cats and Dogs (or willingness to obtain).
- C Class Drivers Licence.
What you'll get in return
As an employee of Rockhampton Regional Council, you will join a diverse and innovative team of more than 1000 employees supported by good leadership, who proudly deliver services and make a difference to the lives of people living and working within the region.
- Supportive Work/Life Balance
- A large employer with a strong values driven culture
- 12% employer superannuation contribution, with the option to salary sacrifice up to an additional 6%
- Ongoing training and development opportunities
- Corporate membership discounts
- Payroll deductions and salary sacrifice options
- 17.5% annual leave loading
- Wages paid fortnightly
- Employee Assistance Program
- Fitness Passport and active social clubs
What you need to do next
To apply for this opportunity, please submit two documents:
- A 3-4 Cover Letter addressing the Application Criteria below;
Application Criteria
- Relevant qualifications and/or leadership experience in animal management, compliance or a similar operational environment, including demonstrated ability to supervise and lead teams.
- Knowledge of (or ability to quickly acquire) relevant legislation, local laws and policies, with experience applying these to animal management, behaviour assessment, welfare, and compliance activities.
- Strong customer service and stakeholder engagement skills, including the ability to negotiate outcomes, de-escalate conflict, manage sensitive situations, and build effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders (e.g. veterinarians, rehoming organisations, community).
- Proven operational and organisational capability, including managing competing priorities, resources and day-to-day centre operations, while ensuring high standards of safety, compliance, animal welfare, documentation, and service delivery.
Please use Council’s cover letter template and ensure you clearly label each Application Criteria in your cover letter.
Applications Close: Monday 15 June 2026 at Midnight (AEST)
