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:Temporary, Full-time | Fixed-term contract of up to 24th October 2026
Hours of Work: hours per fortnight
Pay Level:$2,974.96 to $3,175.82 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, 24th February 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.
(Note: For applicants viewing this job vacancy through, you will be able to access the Position Description by clicking on the "Apply" button, or by visiting the job advertisement on our website at ).
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 conducting inspections on the keeping of animals, and regulating approvals under the Local Laws;
* 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; and
* Participate in education and promotional activities in relation to animal control.
What You Will Need
To be considered for this role, you will need:
* The legal right to live and work in Australia
* MANDATORY POSITION REQUIREMENTS
* Immunisation record indicating Q Fever vaccinations or immunity, or the ability to be vaccinated in accordance with Council's Immunisation Procedure; and
* Preparedness to work 24-hours on-call on a rotational basis, weekends and flexible hours.
* REQUIRED LICENCES & QUALIFICATIONS
* A Class C (car) licence or greater is required in this role; and
* A White Construction Card, or the ability to obtain one prior to commencement.
* 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
* Excellent customer service and communication skills to deal with people in difficult circumstances
* Experience in investigation, enforcement and report preparation
* 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 - 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 )
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 - 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 ).
* 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 Officeror Nicole Collett, Manager Environmental Services on
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:
* Your current Resume and a two (2) page Cover Letter.
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 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 (e.g. 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.