re you an experienced Customer Service professional with an interest in animal welfare? Osborne Richardson are assisting a Local Council with a Companion Animals Officer role. Based in Hornsby, this contract role will extend to April 2025 and potentially beyond that.



Position Objectives

To be part of and contribute to a team responsible for the management of companion animals and the administration of the NSW Companion Animals Register in accordance with the NSW Companion Animals Act 1998 and Regulations 1999.



Duties and Responsibilities

Administration & Registration

Accurately record applications for identification and registration on the NSW Companion Animal Register.
Produce Certificates and send to owners along with relevant information sheets.
Assist in the coordination and management of companion animals to achieve compliance with registration including keeping accurate records, extracting reports, producing merge letters.
Contribute to retrieving and maintaining records on registrations and income received and advise and undertake actions to maintain budget targets.
Assist in collecting and collating statistics on issues associated with companion animals.
Provide administration for companion animals including, word processing, spreadsheets, input to data bases, updating records on the Companion Animals Register and sending notifications to the Department of Local Government.


Compliance

Investigate and undertake appropriate actions regarding incidents, reports and customer requests received by Council on companion animals issues.
Take appropriate action where animals are not under effective control and/or causing a danger or risk to the public.
Provide swift and appropriate response to reports of dangerous situations involving companion animals.
Maintain accurate records of complaints, investigations, owner and animal details, customer reports and follow up actions on Council’s customer relations management system and electronic records management.
Identify and undertake enforcement actions for breaches of legislation including collecting evidence, writing Penalty Infringement Notices, Notices and Orders and providing court evidence.
Conduct research of registration status of all animals brought to the attention of the Officer and initiate actions to allow follow up procedures to ensure registration.
Undertake other actions to assist in maximising registration of companion animals.
Assist in ensuring owners follow regulations relating to restricted breeds and declared dangerous dogs.


Customer Service

Attend to counter/telephone enquiries regarding companion animals.
Provide appropriate resources and undertake follow up actions to the satisfaction of customers.
Assist the Customer Service Unit providing information regarding registration of companion animals.
Provide assistance to enquiries from staff of Council’s Animal Shelter.
If required, participate in the 24 hour Animal Control Emergency Response service.


Pound and Depot Duties and Responsibilities

Pick up of animals from vets on request, ensure correct information and completed forms are received.
Transfer of seized animals to Pound facility at Carlton as required.
Monitoring of welfare and security of animals held in depot facility. Organise vet treatment if deemed necessary.
Cleaning of facility as required.
Assist with ensuring sufficient supplies are maintained.
Ensure owners are aware of release costs and oversee release of animals to owners when required.
As required, assist with rehoming of companion animals within legislative requirements.
Microchipping of animals as required if qualified.
Procurement of depot supplies as required within delegated responsibility.

Education and Information

Ensure appropriate and adequate levels of education resources are maintained to satisfy customer requests.
Provide information and advice to pet shops, vets, breeders and general public on issues relating to identification and registration of companion animals.
Assist in the preparation of education programs and resources and the implementation of education programs for companion animals.
Assist in the preparation, organisation, administration and running of promotions and special events relating to companion animals within agreed time frame.
Participate in other promotions and special events where required.


Essential Criteria

Qualifications

Certificate in Business Administration /Office Skills or deemed equivalent experience.


Experience, Skills and Knowledge

Sound computer skills with good knowledge and experience of office based computer software packages including word processing, spreadsheets, data base