Job Description

• Fixed-term opportunity through to October 2027
• Use your animal care and handling experience to support animal welfare, behavioural needs and veterinary care
• Work as part of a dedicated team on a rotating roster, including weekend and public holiday shifts, with occasional support at other shelters as required

Join our Manukau shelter team providing hands-on care, safe handling and welfare support for impounded dogs in a fast-paced environment.

He angitūtanga: The opportunity

Auckland Council’s Licensing & Compliance department has an opportunity for an Animal Shelter Officer (Animal Care) to join the Animal Management team at our Manukau shelter.

This is a busy, hands-on role where priorities can change quickly. You will be responsible for the day-to-day care and wellbeing of impounded dogs, while also supporting shelter operations, veterinary procedures, animal transport and interactions with dog owners and members of the public.

The role is physically and emotionally demanding. You will work with dogs with a range of behaviours and needs, manage competing priorities and maintain high standards of animal care, hygiene and safety throughout the day. You will also support veterinary procedures, including euthanasia, where professionalism, compassion and emotional resilience are essential.

Working as part of a multi-disciplinary team, you will contribute to the safe and efficient operation of the shelter and ensure dogs receive appropriate care. You may occasionally be required to provide support at other Animal Management shelters across Auckland to help manage operational needs and changing workloads.

You could expect to work on:

• Providing daily care for impounded dogs, including feeding, exercise, training, socialisation and behavioural enrichment based on individual needs
• Monitoring dogs’ health and behaviour, identifying changes or concerns early and taking appropriate action using safe handling techniques
• Assisting veterinary staff with health checks, treatments and euthanasia procedures, maintaining animal welfare, professionalism and compassion throughout
• Completing cleaning, disinfection, laundry, waste management and infection control tasks to maintain a safe and hygienic shelter environment
• Supporting wider shelter operations, including transporting dogs, maintaining accurate records, managing impounding and release processes, responding to enquiries and using shelter management systems

He kōrero mōu: About you

This role requires experience in the animal care, animal welfare or shelter operations space. You will have experience safely handling dogs and working in a busy, hands-on environment where animal welfare, health and safety are priorities.

We will be looking for specific experience with the key role requirements:

• Some experience in animal care, animal shelter, veterinary or animal welfare work is preferred, but is not essential
• Demonstrated experience safely handling dogs and interpreting canine body language and behaviour in varied situations
• Practical experience with animal husbandry, hygiene, infection control and safe animal handling procedures
• Ability to undertake physically demanding work, including lifting, walking, cleaning and repetitive manual tasks in a kennel environment
• Ability to remain professional and resilient when working in emotionally challenging situations, including supporting euthanasia processes

We still encourage you to apply if you have some but not all these requirements.

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou: What we offer

Auckland Council is the largest local government council across Oceania, serving over 1.7 million people and contributing towards making Tāmaki Makaurau a world-class city.

We offer a range of employee benefits and proudly support flexible working options where possible.

View a snapshot of some of our employee benefits HERE.

Help us make a difference to Tāmaki Makaurau.

Me Tono Ināianei!: Apply Now!

Applications close: 17th Septmeber 2026, 11:59pm

Find a copy of the position description here: Click Here

This role has a remuneration range of $67,414 – $79,310 per annum

Our employer Kiwisaver contribution is additional to base salary offered.

If you have any support or access requirements, please advise us when submitting your application so we can assist you.

#workingforauckland #aucklandcouncil #animal #animalmanagement

Notes:

1. We appreciate your interest in this role. If you have applied within the past three months, we will not require you to apply again.
2. If you are a Temp under Agency, please apply via the Auckland Council external website.

The role is deemed safety-sensitive and will require a pre-employment drug and alcohol test prior to offer.

A current full or restricted New Zealand driver licence is essential.

Auckland Council is committed to protecting your privacy in accordance with the Privacy Act 2020. We collect personal information directly from you and, where relevant for the purpose of assessing you for employment, and employing you as part of the transport reform process, from third parties such as referees, previous employers (including Auckland Transport) recruitment agencies, and background checking providers.

By applying for this role, you consent to Council obtaining a reference from your current employer, including information about any active conduct investigations and current performance management processes, if you are the preferred candidate. Reference checks will only be undertaken at the preferred candidate stage. Any non-active performance or conduct matters may also be discussed with referees as part of the reference checking process.

If you do not consent to this information being provided, Council may be unable to properly assess your application, and your application will not progress further. If you wish to withhold your consent, or to access or correct your personal information, please contact the Privacy Officer at privacy@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.

Auckland Council is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) and we are committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of application to assist you through the recruitment process.