Closes: 16 April 2026
Classification: Senior Officer Grade B
Salary: $149,172 - $167,151 plus superannuation
Position No: 50057
Directorate: City and Environment
Advertised (Gazettal date): 02 April 2026
or 0***
Details: The Director of Investigations, Compliance and Enforcement is a senior tactical and strategic leader within Domestic Animal Services and an integral member of the business unit’s leadership team. The role provides authoritative direction, oversight and assurance across all regulatory functions of the Service, including investigations, compliance activity, enforcement, licensing and permitting, and the application of statutory powers under the Domestic Animals Act 2000 and Animal Welfare Act 1992.
The role provides tactical leadership, strategic direction, and professional governance over the regulatory workforce. The Director shapes the regulatory approach of the Service, builds capability across the team, and mentors staff to ensure investigations and compliance activities are conducted with rigour, fairness, and a strong harm‑reduction focus.
This position is accountable for making complex, high‑impact regulatory decisions often in emotionally-charged situations, including orders that may involve seizing animals, removing them from their owners, issuing restrictive or punitive regulatory actions, and in the most serious circumstances, authorising or recommending the destruction of animals in accordance with law and established principles of necessity, proportionality, and public/animal safety.
The Director is responsible for ensuring that all decisions are lawful, evidence‑based, procedurally fair, and clearly articulated, and that the reasoning supporting those decisions can be readily understood and withstand scrutiny from owners, legal representatives, oversight bodies, courts, and tribunals. The role sets the standard for regulatory integrity, providing guidance to staff in developing clear decision records, applying consistent reasoning, managing contentious matters, and engaging effectively with affected community members.
Working closely with the Domestic Animals Registrar and the Animal Welfare Authority, the Director contributes to strategic planning, risk management, inter‑agency liaison, and continuous improvement of regulatory frameworks and practices. The role also serves as the senior point of contact for legal, policing, and partner agencies, and is responsible for high‑level information governance functions, including statutory information‑release pathways.
This position is appointed as a Deputy Registrar and Inspector under the Domestic Animals Act 2000 and Animal Welfare Act 1992.
Notes: An order of merit will be established from this selection process and may be used to fill future identical vacancies over the next 12 months.
How to Apply: Applicants must address each Selection Criteria (up to 350 words per criteria). Please take into consideration the ‘Duties/Responsibilities’ section when addressing how you have demonstrated the Selection Criteria. Applicants must also supply a current curriculum vitae and contact details of two references.
Applications should be submitted via the Apply Now button below.
Note: Under the ACTPS employment framework you may be placed in another role where required for the efficient administration of the service.
City and Environment
City and Environment Directorate was established on the 1 July 2025. This new directorate is an amalgamation of positions previously advertised under Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate and Transport Canberra and City Services Directorate.
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