Senior Animal Services Officer (Case Management), Wellington
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Wellington City Council

Senior Animal Services Officer (Case Management)

  • Posted Today
  • On Site
  • Full Time

Wellington

Job Description

Are you an experienced legal, regulatory, or enforcement professional who thrives on navigating complex casework and achieving fair, defensible outcomes? Do you enjoy balancing sound judgement, public safety, and customer-focused service? Wellington City Council is looking for a Senior Animal Services Officer (Case Management) to play a critical role in protecting our communities and supporting responsible animal ownership across Pōneke.


This is a unique opportunity to combine legal expertise, regulatory compliance, investigation, and community engagement in a role that directly contributes to Wellington's safety and wellbeing.


Āu ake mahi | What you'll do

As a senior member of our Animal Services team, you'll lead complex case management activity, support operational consistency across the team, and ensure regulatory decisions are robust, legally sound, and customer focused. You'll work closely with Council's legal team, represent the organisation in hearings and court proceedings, and help develop high-quality regulatory practice across Animal Services.


Your work will include:

  • Managing complex animal services investigations and casework
  • Preparing and reviewing evidence for court proceedings and Council hearings
  • Working alongside legal counsel and external agencies to prosecute breaches of legislation and bylaws
  • Providing expert advice on the Dog Control Act, Animal Bylaw, Health Act and related legislation
  • Coaching and mentoring Animal Services Officers to build capability and consistency
  • Reviewing and improving regulatory processes, systems, and procedures
  • Responding to appeals, complaints, and requests for information
  • Supporting field operations and community education initiatives when required.
  • Participating in a roster that includes weekend work and after-hours response when required.


Ngā tohu me ngā wheako | Qualifications and experience

You'll bring strong legal, regulatory, or enforcement experience, along with the confidence to make sound decisions in complex and often high-profile situations. You are an excellent communicator who can work effectively with customers, legal professionals, government agencies, and internal stakeholders alike.


We're looking for someone who has:

  • A law degree, equivalent legal experience, or extensive experience in a regulatory environment
  • Experience preparing and presenting cases through legal or quasi-judicial processes
  • Strong investigative, analytical, and problem-solving skills
  • Proven ability to interpret and apply legislation in operational settings
  • Experience coaching, mentoring, or developing others
  • Exceptional written communication and attention to detail
  • Resilience, professionalism, and confidence managing difficult conversations and conflict
  • Experience in local government, regulatory services, compliance, enforcement, or investigations is highly desirable.
  • Experience in handling dogs and an understanding of dog behaviour in a range of situations


We are looking to appoint between $98,566 and $115,959 per annum, for this role, depending on relevant skills and experience.


Nōu te rourou | What's in it for you

Working for the Council offers you a range of benefits including 5 weeks annual leave, flexible working options, health and wellbeing support, Council staff discounts and a range of learning and development programmes and opportunities.

View our Employee Value Proposition Video to see what our employees say about working at WCC.


Diversity:

We want your application to enable you to portray the real you. Skills are gained across many areas of our life, not just formal employment.  If you can demonstrate the skills listed in the advert through whānau life, community or mahi aroha (volunteering) we encourage you to apply and share your story with us in your cover letter.

We welcome applications from all people and like our workforce to reflect the diverse communities we serve.


Accessibility Support:

We want to make sure any accessibility requirements you may have, are well supported so the selection process is equitable for everyone. Please let us know if there are any adjustments or support, we can offer to make our process more accessible to you by emailing: recruitment@wcc.govt.nz

Applications close 23 October 2026. Please note that we may engage with applicants prior to the vacancy closing and/or close applications ahead of this date so we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.


All applications must be submitted online and must have the right to work in New Zealand – we will not accept emailed applications.

Pre-employment Checks: All employees must undergo a Criminal Conviction Check, the results of which will be held on your employee file if employed.

If you have questions, please contact Helen Jones, Public Health Manager, Helen.Jones@wcc.govt.nz

Desired Hard Skills

  • Case Management
  • Investigation
  • Regulatory Compliance
  • Legal Knowledge
  • Legislation Interpretation

Desired Soft Skills

  • Problem Solving
  • Communication
  • Attention to Detail
  • Leadership
  • Resilience

Benefits & Perks

Culture

  • 🤱 Extended Parental Leave
  • 🏛 Fully Paid Jury Service
  • 🏘 Work from Home
  • 🧕 Inclusive Workspace
  • ❤ Care and Appreciation
  • ⚖ Work-Life Balance Support
  • 🧠 Mental Health Workshops
  • 💚 Counselling Services
  • 💪 Physical Health Workshops
  • 🌿 Wellness Program
  • 🏥 Subsidised Health Insurance
  • 📈 Professional Development
  • 🏎 Competitive Salary
  • 🎉 Employee Discounts and Rewards
  • 🎖 Long Service Rewards
  • 💻 Company Supplied Technology
  • ⏰ Flexible Work
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  • 🧠 Neurodiverse
  • 💰 Wage Equality
  • 🏃 Women Leadership
  • 👩 Woman CEO
  • 💸 Living Wage
  • 🤝 Unionisation
  • 🙌 Community Focused
  • 🌐 INZ Accredited Employer
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