Love working with animals and making a difference in your community? Join our Ranger and Animal Services team and help protect animal welfare and public safety across our growing City.
Animal Services Officer
At Penrith City Council, it’s not about having to choose.
Life with us is the best of both worlds.
What we offer you
- Salary: $69,648 – $80,622 per annum + 12% Superannuation
- Roster: 38-hour week (8:00am – 5:00pm) with a fortnightly RDO
- Work outdoors making a real impact in your community
- Flexible roster with fortnightly RDO + on-call allowance
- The best of both worlds – challenge, growth, support and real community impact
We make sure you know what matters most upfront – flexibility, benefits and the opportunity to build a meaningful career.
Here’s what you’ll be up to…
As an Animal Services Officer, you’ll play an important frontline role in protecting companion animals, livestock and the wider community across the Penrith City local government area.
In this temporary full-time role, reporting to the Coordinator Ranger and Animal Services, you will:
- Deliver professional animal impounding services across urban and rural areas
- Respond to community requests, complaints and reported incidents
- Pick up and transport stray companion animals safely and humanely
- Investigate companion animal matters on public land
- Issue infringement notices and prepare briefs of evidence
- Represent Council in Local Court when required
- Contribute to public safety and responsible pet ownership education
Success in this role looks like building positive community relationships while confidently enforcing legislation when required. You’ll experience the challenge of regulatory work, the growth that comes from court processes and investigations, and the support of a collaborative, experienced team — all while making a genuine impact on animal welfare and community safety.
Who we are (And why you’ll love us)
The Ranger and Animal Services team is made up of dedicated, down-to-earth professionals who genuinely care about animal welfare, community safety and supporting one another. It’s a fast-paced, practical environment where teamwork matters and achievements are recognised and celebrated.
As part of the Environmental Health and Compliance Department, the team plays a vital role in protecting public health, safety and the environment across the Penrith City local government area — one of NSW’s fastest growing regions. With growth comes opportunity, variety and meaningful work that makes a real difference in the community.
If you enjoy hands-on fieldwork, solving problems in real time and being part of a supportive team that values professionalism and community impact, you’ll thrive here.
What are we looking for?
We’re looking for someone who:
- Is confident handling animals with the relevant TAFE Certificate or equivalent qualifications in animal husbandry or willingness to obtain
- Comfortable working outdoors in varied conditions
- Communicates clearly and can manage conflict professionally and calmly
- Demonstrated understanding (or is willing to learn) relevant legislation and enforcement processes
- Brings resilience, sound judgement and a strong sense of integrity
A background in animal husbandry, compliance, enforcement or local government will be highly regarded. Most importantly, you’re motivated to make a positive impact and ready to take on a role that balances compassion with compliance.
The must-know bits
You will be required to undertake employment checks relevant to the role, which may include a Criminal History Check, Qualification Check, Working with Children Check, Medical Declaration and/or Functional Testing.
Where a Criminal History Check identifies disclosable outcomes, you will be required to provide a copy of the report to Council for review as part of the recruitment process.
Applicants must have the right to live and work in Australia to apply for this position.
Council is a Child Safe Organisation. For more information, please see our website.
Ready to make work feel less like… work?
If you’re already picturing yourself out in the field making a difference, hit Apply Now.
In addition to your resume and cover letter, you will be required to submit comprehensive responses to the selection criteria outlined in the Position Description. Applicants who do not meet the essential criteria will not be considered.
We’ve got an opportunity, you’ve got talent… Let’s talk.
For more information, contact the Ranger and Animal Services Coordinator on 4732 8100.
At Penrith City Council, we believe the best of both worlds means embracing the unique perspectives, backgrounds and experiences that make our City vibrant. We are committed to building a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected and supported and welcome applicants from all backgrounds, abilities and identities.