Animal Shelter Officer (Animal Care) - Henderson

About the Role

This permanent, full-time position based primarily in Henderson involves caring for impounded dogs in multiple Auckland Council animal shelters, including Silverdale, Manukau, and Pukekohe. The shift is 40 hours weekly, starting at 7:45 am, and requires availability on weekends and public holidays. The role focuses on delivering exceptional animal welfare, assisting veterinary procedures such as euthanasia, and promoting responsible dog ownership within a collaborative team environment committed to meeting statutory requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide daily care for shelter dogs including feeding, exercising, socializing, and health monitoring.
• Safely handle dogs by applying behavioural knowledge to ensure safety of both animals and staff.
• Support veterinary activities including health assessments, treatments, and euthanasia procedures.
• Maintain shelter cleanliness and safety by adhering to strict hygiene protocols.
• Interact with the public and dog owners offering advice on responsible pet care.
• Collaborate with team members to fulfill operational needs and maintain accurate animal records.

Candidate Profile

Applicants should have over three years of experience in animal care or related fields, demonstrate physical fitness for manual tasks such as cleaning and lifting, and possess emotional resilience for handling distressing situations like euthanasia. Effective communication skills, confidence in animal handling, and flexibility to work across multiple shelter locations including public holidays are essential.

What We Offer

Auckland Council provides a supportive workplace that values diversity, equity, and inclusion, accredited by GenderTick and a signer of the Pride Pledge. Employees have access to flexible working arrangements, well-being initiatives, and a culture focusing on continuous improvement. The role offers a salary of $71,494.69 annually plus KiwiSaver and other benefits, contributing meaningfully to the community of over 1.7 million residents.

Additional Information

• Pre-employment drug and alcohol screening is mandatory as the position is safety-sensitive.
• Applications close on Tuesday 25 August 2026 at 23:59; early applications are encouraged as the process may conclude before the deadline.
• Auckland Council is an equal opportunity employer encouraging applications from all backgrounds including Rainbow communities, disabled and neurodivergent individuals.