Investigation and Customer Lead

• Lead investigations into serious dog control offences, ensuring legal and organisational compliance.
• Mentor Specialist Investigators, promoting a high-performing team culture.
• Handle escalated customer complaints and represent the department at key meetings.

He angitūtanga: The Opportunity

Join Auckland Council's Animal Management Department as a Investigation and Customer Lead, leading a team of Specialist Investigators dedicated to upholding animal management standards and protecting Aucklanders from animal-related harm and nuisance. This pivotal role involves investigating criminal and regulatory offences under the Dog Control Act 1996, Crimes Act 1961, and Local Government Act 2002, while also overseeing customer response, legal administration, and providing expert advice to people leaders, specialists, and senior management.

This is a permanent full-time term role, working 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday. Location 135 Albert Street, Auckland CBD.

He kōrero mōu:  About You

As a seasoned professional with a deep understanding of animal management legislation and regulatory frameworks, you bring over a decade of experience in a regulatory environment. Your leadership is defined by transformational coaching and the development of high-performing teams. You excel in managing complex investigations, ensuring legal compliance, and fostering a culture of safety and inclusivity. Your strategic thinking and exceptional communication skills enable you to collaborate effectively across departments and with external stakeholders, driving continuous improvement and achieving departmental goals.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage investigation processes and deliverables across the Animal Management unit, ensuring prosecution files for serious dog-related incidents meet legal and organisational standards.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to Principal Investigation Specialists, promoting a high-performing team culture.
• Provide expert legislative advice and deliver comprehensive training programmes to Animal Management staff to enhance investigative abilities.
• Manage escalated customer complaints, LGOIMA and Privacy Act requests, and represent the department at meetings, ensuring transparency and accountability.

You’ll have expert knowledge of relevant legislation such as the Dog Control Act 1996 and Crimes Act 1961, and bring over 10 years’ experience in regulatory environments, with at least 7 years in leadership roles. You're skilled in managing complex investigations, interpreting legal frameworks, and delivering high-quality customer responses. Your strong communication, analytical thinking, and training experience make you a confident advisor and collaborator across legal and operational teams. A tertiary qualification in law, criminal justice, or a related field is essential, along with a full NZ driver’s licence.

Ngā āh0uatanga kei a mātou:  What We Offer

Auckland Council is the largest local government council across Oceania, serving over 1.7 million people and contributing towards making Tāmaki Makaurau an Auckland we can all be proud of.

We offer a range of employee benefits and proudly support flexible working options where possible.

View a snapshot of some of our employee benefits HERE.

Help us make a difference to Tāmaki Makaurau.

Me Tono Ināianei! Apply now!

Salary ranges from $119,357 and $140,420 plus KiwiSaver and benefits.

Find a copy of the position description here: https://bit.ly/4k9UCGs

Applications close 11 July 2025.

The role is deemed safety-sensitive and will require a pre-employment drug & alcohol test prior to offer. 

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.