Animal Shelter Officer

He angitūtanga: The Opportunity

We are seeking a compassionate Animal Shelter Officer to provide high-quality care for impounded dogs in our shelter. You’ll play a key role in ensuring animal welfare, supporting veterinary procedures (including euthanasia), and promoting responsible dog ownership. You will be part of a collaborative team that is committed to delivering world-class animal care and meeting Auckland Council’s statutory obligations.

Key Responsibilities

• Animal Care: Feed, exercise, socialise, and monitor the well-being of dogs in the shelter.
• Animal Handling: Safely manage dogs, applying knowledge of behaviour to ensure safe handling.
• Veterinary Support: Assist with health checks, treatments, and euthanasia procedures.
• Shelter Maintenance: Maintain a clean and safe environment, following hygiene protocols.
• Public Interaction: Engage with dog owners and the public, providing guidance on responsible ownership.
• Team Collaboration: Work with colleagues to meet operational needs and maintain accurate records.

This is fixed term until May 2026, full-time 40 hours per week, Sunday to Thursday, starting at 7:45 am.

He kōrero mōu: About You

The ideal candidate will have previous experience in animal care, shelter operations, or veterinary environments. Strong communication skills, the ability to handle animals confidently, and emotional resilience in challenging situations are essential. The role requires physical stamina to perform manual tasks and work in an active environment. Additionally, flexibility is key, as the candidate must be willing to work across multiple shelter locations and be available on weekends and public holidays when needed.

Key Requirements

• 3+ years’ experience in animal care or a related field.
• Physically fit and able to handle manual tasks, including cleaning and lifting.
• Emotionally resilient when supporting euthanasia and other challenging situations.
• Strong commitment to health and safety.

Ngā āhuatanga 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. View a snapshot of some of our employee benefits HERE.

As part of Auckland Council's Animal Management team, you'll work across diverse communities to minimise harm and nuisance from dogs and other animals. We provide essential services like dog registration and promote responsible dog ownership.

Help us make a difference to Tāmaki Makaurau.

Me Tono Ināianei! Apply now!

Salary ranges from $63,000 and $65,000 plus KiwiSaver and benefits.

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

Applications close 2 July 2025.

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

#workingforAuckland #animalshelter #animalcare

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.