Animal Services Officer

About the role

Tauranga City Council’s Animal Services team helps protect the community while encouraging people to take responsible care of animals. The work covers education, compliance, and customer support, with responsibilities tied to legislation and local bylaws for dogs, stock, and other animals.

We are seeking an Animal Services Officer for a hands-on, community-based position. In this role, you will investigate and respond to issues such as dog attacks, roaming livestock, and nuisance roosters, ensuring each case is dealt with fairly, professionally, and in line with legal requirements. You may also occasionally be required to present evidence in court.

No two days will be the same. Much of your time will be spent in the field, engaging with residents, working through concerns, promoting responsible dog ownership, and attending community events to explain the work of Animal Services.

A council vehicle and equipment will be supplied, as the role is mainly field-based and your vehicle will serve as your primary workplace. You will need a full Class 1 driver licence and confidence working with digital systems, as jobs, updates, and outcomes are managed electronically while you are out on the road.

The team’s goal is to improve safety for Tauranga residents while supporting responsible animal ownership. Although every effort is made to reunite impounded dogs with their owners, some dogs may not be collected and may not be appropriate for rehoming. In those circumstances, part of the work may involve helping a veterinarian with euthanasia.

Working hours

This is a full-time position of 40 hours per week. Core hours are generally Monday to Friday, with flexibility between 6:00am and 6:00pm. Some additional flexibility will be needed for events and special operations outside standard hours.

What you’ll need to succeed

You should be a strong communicator who can quickly build trust with different kinds of people and remain composed when situations become difficult. The role suits someone who is comfortable working on their own, handling conflict or disagreement, and taking a practical approach to finding solutions.

An interest in animals is important, along with the resilience to deal with situations that may be confronting or emotionally challenging.

It would be an advantage, though not a requirement, to have:

• A National Certificate in Compliance and Regulatory Control
• Previous experience in a compliance, regulatory, or enforcement position

About Tauranga City Council

Tauranga City Council is one of the city’s major employers and is focused on attracting capable, motivated people who want to contribute to the community. The organisation aims to create a workplace where employees feel valued and supported.

Benefits include 5 weeks of annual leave, flexible working hours, work-from-home options, and career development opportunities.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted online; email applications cannot be accepted. For role-specific questions, you may contact Oscar Glossop at Oscar.glossop@tauranga.govt.nz.

Applications close on Sunday 26th July.

Additional information

• The organisation is committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects the communities it serves and welcomes applicants from all backgrounds, including people living with disabilities.
• If you need support or adjustments during the recruitment process, contact the Talent Acquisition team at recruitment@tauranga.govt.nz.
• You must have the legal right to live and work in New Zealand to apply for this position.
• The council does not accept unsolicited contact or applications from recruitment agencies, and it will not pay any fees or commissions for such contact.