• Enforce and manage legislation to promote good animal welfare and prevention of cruelty to animals within the community
• Work with key stakeholders across the state to effectively respond to animal welfare issues
• Permanent full time position available!

About RSPCA Victoria

RSPCA Victoria is a non-government, community-based, not-for-profit organisation whose vision is ‘ending cruelty to all animals’. We are Victoria’s best-known and most respected animal welfare organisation.

Our organisation’s purpose is to work with the community to achieve outstanding animal welfare through education, advocacy, and animal care and protection. RSPCA Victoria’s values - clarity and accountability, respect and consideration, and expertise and collaboration - set clear expectations for all our staff and volunteers.

About the Role

The Team Leader is responsible for leading a team of Inspectors in delivering a range of high quality and sustainable animal welfare and protection services in accordance with the RSPCA Victoria’s strategic priorities. This includes ensuring the provision of efficient and effective investigations and enforcement of animal welfare and management legislation to promote good animal welfare and the prevention of cruelty to animals in the community. The essential task of this position is the leadership of the effort to shut down illegal breeding establishments.

Duties and responsibilities

• Manage, lead, train and develop a large team of Inspectors to the highest levels of performance, engagement and job satisfaction.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of the Inspectorate business plan to deliver the required performance outcomes in accordance with broader organisational goals, and within budget.
• Triage reports of cruelty with support from the Intake & Referral team and allocate those that require action by the RSPCA Victoria to Inspectors, ensuring appropriate risk assessments and support are in place.
• Develop and continually improve an intelligence cycle and supporting operations concept in conjunction with the Head of Inspectorate and Victoria Police to identify, deter, disrupt and bring to prosecution persons of interest who engage in illegal animal breeding.
• Assess, monitor and support Inspectors with the management of cases to ensure swift responses and sustainable resolution of issues that achieve the best possible animal welfare, compliance, enforcement, and prosecution outcomes, including:
  • Guide and support Inspectors in conducting thorough investigations, managing associated risks, and preparing and compiling high quality briefs of evidence;
  • Develop strategies, systems, processes, and procedures to improve the quality, efficiency, and consistency of investigation activities, evidence gathering, enforcement actions, and brief preparation.
  • Identify, deter, disrupt and prosecute illegal breeding operations by effectively liaising and building capacity with key stakeholders across the state, with other state RSPCA Victoria’s and Police forces and federal agencies (notably AFP and ATO) identifying opportunities for collaboration, cross-training and strategic partnerships, to expand the RSPCA Victoria’s reach in effectively responding to animal welfare issues and preventing cruelty.
  • Maximise the effectiveness of the RSPCA’s services by positively representing the organisation in a variety of public forums including educational, media, and promotional activities, and building and maintaining positive relationships internally and with other relevant agencies and stakeholders.
  • Provide technical expertise on POCTAA and DAA and its application to members of the team, animal owners, members of the public and other stakeholders as required.
  • Participate in and coordinate a team response where required as part of emergency response.
  • Regularly review animal welfare policies and legislation keeping abreast of changes impacting Inspectorate activities ensuring materials and practices are relevant, accurate, current, and utilised by Inspectors.

What we are looking for from you

• Demonstrated the required level of competence as described in the Inspectorate Competency Framework for the Team Leader position;
• Candidate has been an Authorised Officer with continued service for five years from the date of their appointment, including a mix of urban and rural experience;
• Demonstrated track record of consistently achieving the performance and behavioural expectations of their role, as determined and measured in the annual performance review process;
• Previous experience and the ability to handle and provide guidance to less experienced Inspectors across a range of companion and livestock species. This must include, but is not limited to, dogs, cats and horses;
• Ability to manage:
  • Long periods of driving
  • Working alone for long periods
  • External environmental factors including hot and cold exposure, accessing properties, fence crossing, rural areas and confined spaces.
  • Noise from firearms and animals
  • Animal handling including bites, scratches, zoonotic diseases and euthanasia
  • Manual handling and lifting
  • Dealing with violent and abusive persons of interest
  • Compassion fatigue
  • Attending court and giving evidence

Desirable

• Diploma of Government Investigations
• Tertiary qualification in animal-related or legal-related subject

Requirements for this role

• DJPR Authorised Officer;
• Hold a Valid Victorian Driver’s License;
• Hold a Valid Victorian Firearms’ Licence;
• Current tetanus, Hepatitis A and B, Rabies, Influenza and Q-Fever vaccinations;
• Pre-placement assessment including medical examination and criminal history check where external appointments are being made.

What we can offer you

• A broad range of leave entitlements, including annual leave, personal leave, additional leave (6 days per year pro-rata), purchased leave, paid parental leave, study leave and paid family and domestic violence leave.
• Recognised by Mental Health First Aid Australia, as an advanced workplace - Access to a range of mental health and wellbeing supportive initiatives, including confidential counselling services and education programs
• Generous discount on products and services, including Royal Canin, Hush Puppies footwear and RSPCA Victoria retail and vet clinic products and service

How to Apply

To learn more about our organisation and this job opportunity, please apply directly via Daisy, and download the Position Description for more details. If you have any questions, please contact our Recruitment Team via recruitment@rspcavic.org.au, using the subject line: Major Investigations - Team Leader enquiry via EthicalJobs, for a confidential discussion.

RSPCA Victoria is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and we strongly encourage people from all cultural backgrounds to apply, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Applicants are welcome to access RSPCA Victoria’s Diversity & Inclusion Policy here.