About the Role
Townsville City Council relies on frontline service to the community. This position plays a key role in providing timely and accurate information, processing lost animals, reuniting owners and pets, and caring for animals in the shelter. Working collaboratively across Council, you will champion our purpose of Growing Townsville and help deliver the Corporate Plan in consultation with the community.
This fast‐paced, hands‐on role works closely with animal care officers, attendants, veterinary professionals, and volunteers to deliver exceptional care. As an Animal Care Officer, you are at the core of our operations, providing daily care for a variety of domestic animals—including dogs, cats, livestock, and small pets. Your role is pivotal in ensuring compassionate, professional care and achieving positive, responsible outcomes for every animal in our care.
About You
The ideal candidate will hold, or be willing to obtain, a Certificate IV in Animal Behaviour and Training or Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing, with a minimum Certificate II in Animal Studies already achieved.
Comprehensive knowledge of animal welfare needs and familiarity with shelter support programs is essential, as is experience using Microsoft applications.
You will be an experienced and compassionate animal care professional with strong skills in behavioural assessment, animal handling, and health monitoring—including managing fearful or aggressive animals in a safe and humane manner.
You bring the ability to confidently interpret cat and dog behaviour to determine suitability for rehoming in alignment with council regulations and community expectations.
Experience in interpreting and applying local and state animal‐related legislation, supported by strong customer‐service skills and the ability to communicate authoritatively yet diplomatically, is required.
How to Apply
Submit your application through the 'Apply' button. Include a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining how your skills, qualifications and experience would enable you to succeed in this role, plus a resume confirming any licences and qualifications you hold.
For further details, review the Position Description. For questions, contact .
What We Offer
* 17.5% annual leave loading
* Up to 5 weeks annual leave
* Up to 3 weeks personal/caregiver leave
* 14 weeks paid parental leave
* Domestic and family violence leave
* Natural disaster leave
* Up to 13.5% superannuation employer contribution for contributing members
* Salary sacrifice opportunities
* Learning and development opportunities
* Fitness passport programme offering discounted membership to selected gyms, pools and yoga facilities
* Employee loyalty programme offering discounts at selected local businesses
* Employee assistance programme
Why Choose Us
Townsville City Council is a leading local government authority in Northern Australia, committed to creating value by growing Townsville through driving economic diversity and providing an enriching lifestyle.
Our organisation maintains close to $9 billion of community assets—including water and wastewater networks, treatment plants, bridges, drainage, roads, waste management, community facilities and sporting venues—while contributing to an active, healthy city for residents and visitors.
We are focused on economic diversity, sustainability and innovation to build a vibrant, connected city that delivers service excellence and is led by the community.
Our core values—safety, excellence, respect, value, enjoyment—guide every decision we make.
Equality, Diversity and Accessibility
We are committed to creating a safe and inclusive workplace where diverse styles, backgrounds, experiences and perspectives are valued, encouraged and respected. People from diverse backgrounds—including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with diverse gender identities and sexualities, people from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds, people with disability and veterans—are encouraged to apply.
All successful candidates are required to undergo drug and alcohol testing as part of the recruitment process. Townsville City Council has a zero‐tolerance policy to drugs and alcohol in the workplace.
If you need any adjustments to be made to the recruitment process or have accessibility requirements, please contact or phone 07 4727 9004 for a confidential discussion.
Closing Date: 11:45 pm, Monday 23rd February 2026.
#J-18808-Ljbffr