Position Number: TBA

Directorate: Environment & Planning

Service: Blue Mountains Animal Care Centre

Location: Mort Street, Katoomba

Position
Classification:

Band 6

Date
Created/Updated

17 March 2025

POSITION PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE

Blue Mountains Animal Care Centre (BMACC) operates as a local government pound for
seized and stray pets and livestock. The Centre embodies the principle that animals are
sentient beings with service strategies aimed at keeping animals out of the pound
environment and / or reducing their length of stay.

This position is responsible for the day-to-day operations including quality animal care and
the co-ordination, development and oversight of staff and volunteers at the Centre. The
position works an 8-day roster per fortnight (ie., 56hrs) that includes one weekend.

RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to (Position Title): Animal Facility Co-ordinator

Report to (Position Number): P01156

Staff Responsibility: 2-4 Animal Care Attendants plus Volunteer
workforce

Key Internal Relationships: Environmental Rangers and other Directorate
staff.

Key External Relationships: Blue Mountains community; veterinary services;
suppliers; NSW RSPCA; Partnership Councils.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Provide day-to-day directions and assistance to a team of staff and volunteers.

Ensure every animal at the Centre is systematically screened for health issues and

condition assessment.

Complete behavioural observations for friendliness, excitement levels, fear,

aggression. Use this information to develop individual enrichment plans.

Ensure established standards of care are maintained for all animals at the Centre. This

includes exercise and feeding regimes, washing and grooming, etc. As well as
volunteer led socialisation and enrichment activities.

Maintain cleaning regimes to a high standard in the kennels, yards and the cattery

including public areas and facilities.

Organise veterinary services and behavioural assessments to determine individual

care and enrichment strategies.

Manage adoption processes including interviews and release. Update the NSW Pet

Registry direct.

Engage and provide a volunteer workforce with positive experiences and continuous

skill development opportunities starting with the onboarding / induction process.

Keep digital records current. Complete online forms for animal intakes, health checks,

behavioural observations and updates of veterinary services. Scan paperwork to the
file.

Model and promote excellence in customer service, respond to animal and volunteer

enquiries directed to the Centre.

Issue accounts and receipt income.

Review and order supplies in collaboration with the Team Leader and Co-ordinator.

Provide feedback and support to staff and volunteers, reinforcing strengths and

identifying areas for improvement.

Champion continuous improvement and promote equality, inclusiveness and anti-

discriminatory practices.

Guiding Principles

We are strategy led, driven by our Community Strategic Plan with clear priorities and

focus

We are service focused & we continuously improve service provision and provide

excellent customer service

We collaborate and work together to achieve our outcomes

We ensure safety and well-being is at the centre of our organisation, operations and

culture

We are a financially sustainable organisation, living within our means, ensuring best

value resource allocation

These Guidelines complement the Council’s adopted Values of: Work Together; Work
Safe Home safe; Service Excellence; Value for Money; Trust and Respect; and,
Supporting Community.

Workplace Health & Safety

Ensure compliance with WHS obligations and responsibilities as outlined in Councils
policies and procedures and under the relevant WHS legislation. These include but are
not limited to: identifying potentially unsafe situations or work practices and notifying your
Supervisor or Manager (or the Health, Safety Manager/Area Safety Representative);
never performing a task that you believe is dangerous or for which you do not have the
experience, or have not received appropriate instructions and training or where the correct
equipment to carry out the task safely is not available; always work in a safe manner and
in accordance with safety instructions, where applicable; use the work equipment supplied
for the job, in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions), and any personal
protective equipment, which the Council deems necessary and has provided; be safety
aware and report any actions to your line manager which will assist the Council to meet
its legal workplace health and safety obligations.

You have the right to cease or direct cessation of unsafe work. In addition, you are required
at all times to comply with Councils Asbestos Management Plan and Policy.

Compliance & Risk

You are responsible for ensuring that you conduct your risk management responsibilities
as described in council's Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Policy and Procedure (the
ERM Framework) with the goal of ensuring that potential issues are identified and reported
in a timely manner.

COMMUNICATION

Ability to connect with a wide range of people in a complex managing environment.
Interpersonal skills are required to convey information, explain policy viewpoints, and
reconcile issues with other parties both internally and externally.

JUDGEMENT & PROBLEM SOLVING

Act in a manner that promotes integrity, ability, judgement and transparency in processes.
Take a practical approach to issues management. Navigate competing demands and
address differences in opinion or conflict. Refer or escalate matters where necessary.
Determine individual animal care plans and resolve access requests to veterinary services
for animals in care. Implement standard operating procedures including quarantine
protocols and activation of centre lock-down.

Implement legislative processes and ensure team compliance with codes of practice and
/ or Centre protocols and business processes. Seek guidance as needed when the
situation is unclear.

AUTHORITY

Authority to make operational decisions to direct and focus team (staff and volunteers)
efforts. Delegated to make decisions on animal care as guided by independent veterinary
and / or behavioural assessors. Authority to interview, refuse or rehome animals following
legislative timeframes and Centre protocols.

Decisions around euthanasia are based on animal wellbeing or unchangeable aggressive
behaviours. Such decisions must be made in accordance with the Centre protocol.

SKILL, EXPERIENCE, QUALIFICATIONS & BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES

Qualifications
Relevant qualifications in animal care (Certificate III Animal Care, Certificate IV Veterinary
Nursing or equivalent). Current driver’s licence required.

Job knowledge
Experience and sound working knowledge of animal health and behaviour, including basic
medical care and positive reinforcement techniques. Understanding of animal care
legislation / regulations such as the NSW Companion Animal Act, Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals Act and other industry standards and codes.

Technology use
A proven record of using and integrating new technology, knowledge and skills into work
practices and procedures to achieve established work standards.

Conflict management
Sound conflict resolution and negotiation skills, including the capacity to handle difficult
and irate people, and the ability to take action to avoid / reduce potential conflict.

Developing others
Ability to advise, guide and coach others by sharing experiences and discussing how to
handle current or anticipated outcomes.

Teamwork and collaboration
Experience in building positive and collaborative working relationships.

DESIRABLE

Microchipping implant license and experience.
First aid skills for both humans and animals.

Blue Mountains City Council

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