POSITION TITLE
Animal Patrol and Safety Officer
POSITION NUMBER:
2505
CLASSIFICATION/BAND:
City of Greater Geelong Enterprise Agreement (as
amended from time to time)
Band 4 Salary $54,091.42 to $57,949.63 pro-rata,
per annum, plus superannuation and applicable
penalty rates
STATUS:
Permanent part-time (approximately 15 hours per
week)
DIVISION:
Community Services
DEPARTMENT:
Health and Local Laws
APPROVED BY:
Megan Holbrook
DATE APPROVED:
13 October 2014
POSITION OBJECTIVE:
To assist with the implementation and administration of Council’s policies, Domestic Animal
Management Plan, and State Legislation relating to domestic animals and livestock, including the
conduct of patrols, investigation and preparation of legal briefs in relation to breaches of legislation
To build relationships with members of the community by providing guidance, support, education
and advice regarding responsible pet ownership.
Position will predominantly be involved in conducting patrols outside normal spread of hours,
however at times may include patrols during normal hours.
THE CITY OF GREATER GEELONG:
The City of Greater Geelong is one of the largest local government areas in Victoria. The City
provides more than 120 services to the municipality which has a population of more than 200,000.
The City has an annual budget of $229 million and employs over 2000 staff. It also utilises a large
number of volunteers. The organisation has five divisions: Community Services; Corporate
Services;, Planning and Tourism; City Services and Projects, Recreation and Central Geelong.
Geelong:
Located 75 kilometres from Melbourne, Geelong is Victoria’s second largest city and is renowned
for its stunning north facing waterfront which overlooks Corio Bay. Geelong is a vibrant
cosmopolitan city with a relaxed coastal flavour. It is recognised as offering one of the best
lifestyles in Australia. Geelong has all the modern amenities of larger cities, combined with a clean
and healthy environment.
Just minutes away from the city centre are kilometres of pristine beaches, charming seaside
townships and unspoilt rural hinterland.
Geelong is also the gateway to the famous Great Ocean Road and some of the best surf beaches
in the world.
The City offers excellent educational opportunities. Geelong Grammar, Geelong College, The
Gordon and Deakin University are just some of the schools and tertiary institutions in the region.
ORGANISATION ENVIRONMENT:
Geelong is among the largest of 79 Councils which collectively represent approximately 5 million
Victorians. While each Council is independent, there are common rules, mainly in the form of
State Legislation, which provide the framework in which Councils operate.
Our Vision:
Greater Geelong: building our community through enterprise, opportunity and innovation in an
quality environment.
Our Mission:
We will focus on developing and maintaining effective working relationships to deliver Council's
strategic directions and high quality services that meet the changing needs of our community.
Values and Behaviours:
Values form the basis of our behaviour; they add meaning to work and they provide a basis for
consistent planning and decision making across the organisation. The City of Greater Geelong
aims to foster a culture that embraces the organisation values being Integrity, Responsibility,
Innovation and Respect. All employees should demonstrate the behaviours that come from
these values when carrying out their work.
ORGANISATION RELATIONSHIP:
This position is part of the Community Services Division which comprises the following
departments:
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Aged and Disability Services
Arts and Culture
Community Development
Family Services
Health and Local Laws
Reports To:
Directly Manages:
Internal Liaisons:
External Liaisons:
Team Leader Animal and Information Services
N/A
City staff, internal departments
General public, animal welfare organizations, community groups
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Assist the Team Leader Animal and Information Services to ensure business unit outcomes are
delivered in accordance with Council Policy, State legislation, Local Laws, Departmental
procedures/protocols and Geelong City Council’s Domestic Animal Management Plan.
2. Conduct regular animal compliance patrols with respect to animal’s at large, livestock at large,
registration monitoring, dog attacks and other nuisance activities in accordance with adopted
rosters.
3. Promptly attend to and monitor customer requests/complaints providing feedback to
complainants in accordance with Council’s Service Commitments
4. Opportunities exist to access on additional over time duties based on approval with all parties.
5. Adherence to all Council’s policies and procedures as relevant to this position.
6. Carry out other duties as deemed reasonable and appropriate to the role as directed from time
to time.
KEY SELECTION CRITERIA:
Essential:
1. Demonstrated knowledge and ability to interpret and apply legislation relevant to the position.
2. Demonstrated understanding of evidence gathering and preparation of legal briefs on incidents
involving breaches of legislation.
3. Availability to work weekends and after hours during the week.
4. Ability to identify domestic animals and livestock, their needs, nature and condition.
5. Demonstrated ability to capture, transport and impound domestic animals/livestock in a safe and
effective manner.
6. Demonstrated capacity to provide excellent customer service to the community.
7. Demonstrated ability to build relationships with all levels of society and a high level of dispute
resolution/negotiations skills.
8.
Possess a sound level of written and oral communication skills
9. Demonstrated commitment to best practice and responsiveness to continuous improvement.
10. All candidates should display integrity, responsibility, respect for others and the ability to be
innovative.
Desirable:
1. Applicants with a Certificate 4 Government – Statutory Compliance or several years experience
in a similar role will be desirable.
ACCOUNTABILITY AND EXTENT OF AUTHORITY:

Assist with the effective and efficient operation of the functions associated with the Unit’s role.

Authority to issue Infringement Notices, Notices to Comply, Pound Notices and Release
Orders and to represent Council as a witness or informant in a Court of Law or Tribunal.
JUDGEMENT AND DECISION MAKING:

Recommends prosecutions, or alternative action, for any breaches of the Acts, Regulations
and Local Laws administered by Council whilst also attending court as a witness for the
Council.

The incumbent is expected to function within the guidelines of Council and department policy,
department Code of Professional Work Ethics and act with minimum supervision and use
discretion in relation to duties performed.

Guidance is always available.
SPECIALIST SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE:

Demonstrated knowledge of the relevant legislation and Acts affecting the law enforcement
functions of Council.

Demonstrated ability to identify domestic animals and livestock, their needs, nature and
condition.

Ability to safely handle, capture and confine domestic animals and livestock.

Ability to use computers and other electronic equipment.

Ability to interpret and apply legislation or explain the reasons for the interpretation to staff
members and the public.

Demonstrated ability to complete all tasks in a timely manner including legal briefs.
MANAGEMENT SKILLS:

Ability to plan activities to meet departmental goals

Ability to manage time and set priorities to meet set objectives.

Ability to develop work plans to ensure service delivery meets community expectations.
INTERPERSONAL SKILLS:

Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

Build professional relationships that contribute to team morale and values

Deliver excellent customer service and ensure a positive image to customers

Ability to gain co-operation and assistance from the public and other staff to resolve issues.

Ability to demonstrate integrity, responsibility, respect and innovation in all aspects of the
position.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:
In addition to those listed in the key selection criteria.

Demonstrated knowledge of legislation in relation to the Unit’s functions and responsibilities is
mandatory.

Relevant experience in the duties associated with this role

Ability to meet the physical requirements of the position.

Satisfactory Police and Working with Children check.
INHERENT REQUIREMENTS OF THE POSITION:

Be physically able to carry out the duties as outlined in this position description including, but
not limited to the ability to walk and stand for extended periods while patrolling parking zones
and permit areas, manual handling and collection/removal of animals.

Be physically able to work in inclement conditions including, but not limited to, rain and
potential hot and cold temperatures during the course of the year, and in accordance with
Council’s ‘Heat and UV Radiation Exposure for Outdoor Work Procedure’.

Ability to meet the physical requirements of the position including the ability to confidently ride
a bicycle and/or quadbike when necessary.
SPECIFIC HEALTH AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS:
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A pre-employment medical examination may be required.
Participate, where required, in the reporting of health, safety and wellbeing issues.
Manual handling tasks involved.
Demanding deadlines.
Long / short distance travel between sites as necessary.
Dealing with difficult clients and situations.
SPECIAL CONDITIONS:
Employment is subject to the presentation of documentary evidence of the right to work in
Australia.
A National Police Records check may be required throughout your employment with Council.
Current Victorian Drivers Licence is essential where the need to drive a Council vehicle is
required.
RISK MANAGEMENT, EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND CHARTER OF HUMAN RIGHTS:
Observe policies and procedures to minimise injury and damage to assets and property.
Adhere to Council’s OH&S, equal opportunity and risk management policies, as well as act in
accordance with the Charter of Human Rights.
Ensure behaviour in the workplace does not discriminate, bully or harass others.
Take reasonable care of self and others who may be affected by your actions.
OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION:
Employment may be subject to a three-month probationary period (please note that following
consultation, this period may be extended by up to a further three months).
Internal candidates may be subject to a three-month trial period.
Conditions of employment are as per your contract of employment.
The City of Greater Geelong is an Equal Opportunity Employer and has a no smoking in the
workplace practise and is also committed to Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) in the
workplace and therefore all employees adherence to all OH&S Policies and Procedures is
mandatory.
HOW TO APPLY
Applications for this position close at 5.00pm Friday 31 October 2014 and should be submitted through
the on-line facility at www.geelongaustralia.com.au (for internal candidates, please refer to CityWeb).
Should you not have access to the on-line facility,
applications may be directed to:
Recruitment Administration Officer
Organisation Development Department
City of Greater Geelong
PO Box 104
GEELONG VIC 3220
Phone:
5272 4273
Fax:
5272 4292
For details on the recruitment process
If you require further information regarding this position, please contact:
David Neighbour, Team Leader Animal and Information Services on 5272 4503.
Privacy Statement
Making an application for this position requires that you consent to the collection, use, storage and destruction of
personal information, including details of your referees. This information will assist us to select the best applicant for the
vacant position.
At all times during the recruitment and selection process, personal data will be treated in a highly confidential manner.
Documents will only be available to members of the selection committee for the purposes of selecting the best person
for the position.
All unsuccessful applicants’ documentation will be destroyed three months after the end of the recruitment process.
Please do not send originals of documentation with your application, as they will be destroyed.
In addition the applicant understands that they may apply to Council for access and/or amendment of the information.
Successful applicant details become employment-related information and will be placed on the successful applicant’s
Personal File. The City of Greater Geelong may release this personal information to third parties such as Vision Super
Fund Pty Ltd., Victorian Workcover and Centrelink for employment related purposes.