Your Opportunity

Are you passionate about enforcing and upholding Council's Local Laws across the Southern Downs? One of these jobs could be for you!

As a Local Laws Officer (Animal Control), you will have an important role in encouraging and regulating responsible pet ownership within the Southern Downs community. The role is responsible for the daily operations of the animal pound, as well as investigating complaints and undertaking enforcement action primarily regarding animal and stock management.

 

Term:                         Permanent Full-time 

Hours of Work:         72.5 hours per fortnight 

Pay Level:                 $2974.96 to $3175.82 per fortnight (Level 3), plus 12% superannuation and 17.5% annual leave loading 

In accordance with Council's Enterprise Agreement and the relevant Award. Pay rate dependant on relevant skills and experience. 

Employment Base:  Warwick, Queensland 

Applications Close: 11:59pm Tuesday 23rd June 2026

 

About the Department

The Environmental Services Department falls within the Communities, Planning and Environmental Services Directorate and plays a critical role in delivering on the liveability of our region. The Regulatory Services, Local Laws and Waste Management teams cover a diverse range of roles and responsibilities from ensuring food and public health safety, investigating environmental nuisance and pollution incidences, animal control, pest management, environmental sustainability programs and planning and building compliance.

Furthermore, the department delivers all aspects of waste operations including roadside collections, waste facilities, investigating waste minimisation and resource recovery opportunities and the strategic management of waste in Southern Downs.

 

What You Will Do

For full details of this position, please ensure you download the Position Description below.

The complete Key Responsibilities of this role can be found in the Position Description. These include (but are not limited to):  

• Responsible for enforcement and compliance with local laws and state legislation on animals, including:
  o Impounding stray animals and stock
  o Undertaking patrols to monitor compliance
  o Identifying non-compliances and issuing of on the spot fines
  o Actioning complaints on animal management, and following legislative processes to achieve compliance
  o Conducting inspections on the keeping of animals, and regulating approvals under the local laws.
• Responsible for the operation of Council pounds and coordinating disposal of unwanted animals;
• Investigate community enquiries and complaints relating to compliance with legislative requirements, approvals and permits;
• Assist with door to door inspections for dog registrations and with general duties associated with legislative requirements;
• Gather evidence prepare and present reports for the purpose of prosecution of offenders;

 

What You Will Need

To be considered for this role, you will need:

• The legal right to live and work in Australia
• A Class C (car) licence or greater is required in this role.
  • A white construction card or the ability to obtain one is a mandatory requirement for this role.
• Immunisation record indicating Q Fever vaccinations or immunity; or the ability to be vaccinated in accordance with Council’s Immunisation Procedure.
• Physical stamina necessary to undertake working in the outdoors for extended periods
• Proven ability to work with stray dogs, cattle, horses and other animals including a well-developed knowledge of animal breeds, behaviour and management
• Ability to interpret and apply Acts, regulations and local laws pertaining to animal control and parking
• Excellent customer service and communication skills to deal with people in difficult circumstances
• To be able to demonstrate your competence in relation to all of the Selection Criteria as detailed in the Position Description

 

What We Offer

At Southern Downs Regional Council, we know that that our people are our strength. With this front of mind, we provide a wide range of benefits and a holistic approach to supporting our employees, including:

• Competitive wages, conditions and allowances
• Salary packaging and remote area benefits available, which can significantly increase tax savings and take-home pay
• Discounted corporate health insurance plans 
• Improved work-life balance opportunities, such as a 9-day work fortnight and consideration of other flexible work options
• Generous leave provisions including Special Family Leave, Cultural Leave and 17.5% annual leave loading
• Access to a wide range of health and wellness initiatives, including free, skin checks, flu vaccinations and wellness medicals, and discounted gym memberships
• Employee Assistance Program for staff and their families (24/7 access). This service includes counselling, financial coaching, nutritional support and legal referrals, as well as access to specialised wellbeing support for LGBTIQA+ individuals, First Nations people, and individuals experiencing domestic and family violence through dedicated helpline
• Opportunities for on and off the job personal and professional development (study assistance available in accordance with policy)

To view comprehensive details of our employee value offering, please click HERE. (Note when viewing this job vacancy through SEEK.com - you will be able to access this link once by clicking on the "Apply" button, or by visiting the job advertisement on our website at www.https://www.sdrc.qld.gov.au/council/careers-at-council/current-job-vacancies)

 

Further Information

For further information about this role and working for Southern Downs Regional Council, please refer to the documents below:

(Note when viewing this job vacancy on SEEK.com - the links to information below will only be available once you click on the "Apply" button. Alternatively, you can access them via the job advertisement on our website at https://www.sdrc.qld.gov.au/council/careers-at-council/current-job-vacancies).

• Position Description
• Join Southern Downs Regional Council (detailed employment information, including employee benefits)
• Our Values 
• Living on the Southern Downs

If you have any additional enquiries in relation to this position, please contact Joss Kresina, Acting Local Laws Coordinator on 13•• ••• 372.

 

Apply Now!

At SDRC, we believe that diversity enriches our workplace, drives innovation, and leads to better outcomes. We welcome applications from qualified people of all backgrounds, ethnicities, genders and abilities, who have applicable working rights in Australia. 

To apply for this opportunity, you will be asked to complete an online application form and provide: 

• A short written response (maximum 1-2 pages, dot points acceptable) on how your experience, abilities, and knowledge match the selection criteria of this role (as outlined in the Position Description); and
• Your current CV or Resume.

When you are ready to begin your application, please click on the "Apply" button below to be taken to our online application portal. Please ensure you provide all of the information requested and that your application is lodged by the closing date (as shown above). Should you have any difficulty lodging your application online, please contact our People & Culture team on ph 13•• ••• 372 for assistance. 

We look forward to receiving your application.

 

Southern Downs Regional Council – A Great Place to Work

What we do at SDRC is more than just a job to us. Whether it’s maintaining our clean water supply, keeping our parks and gardens beautiful, servicing our plant and vehicles, providing contemporary library services, responding to natural disasters or showcasing our region’s immense natural beauty and economic strength, every Council employee strives to make a real difference for our local community.

Few employers combine so many diverse disciplines (eg engineers, childcare workers, trades such as mechanics and plumbers, safety specialists, project managers, plant operators, finance experts, IT specialists and urban planners to name a few) in one organisation. At SDRC, we work together towards the same goal. By integrating a multi-disciplined workplace with collective ideas and skillsets, we provide unique opportunities for our people to develop and grow within their chosen career.

We are passionate about aligning business, community and government to achieve social, economic and environmental outcomes. We believe this is best realised when people are invested in the long-term outcomes of where they live and work. If this sounds like you too, then working in local government at SDRC may be right for you.