Animal Care and Welfare Officer

Join a dynamic, large-scale public sector team dedicated to enhancing animal welfare across Northern Ireland - make a real difference in the lives of animals and their owners! VANRATH is recruiting an Animal Welfare Officer on behalf of a prominent organisation in Craigavon/Banbridge for a temporary position, with the potential for shared responsibility during afterhours callouts. Enjoy a competitive salary of £39,481 - £41,177, with 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday, and additional allowances for emergency responses. About your next employer This organisation is committed to enforcing the Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 2011, focusing on the humane treatment and protection of non-farmed animals. Operating within the public sector, they work to investigate complaints, promote good practice, and ensure animal owners adhere to legislative standards. The teams are dedicated, professional, and passionate about animal welfare, with a strong collaborative approach across councils and external agencies. About you At least HNC level in Animal Care/Animal Management or related discipline, or equivalent experience Minimum 1 year's experience in handling non-farmed animals, including providing advice and guidance to the public Experience in producing written reports, record keeping, and partnership working with professional bodies Knowledge of relevant animal welfare legislation is desirable Ability to undertake investigations, enforcements, and court appearances confidently Strong communication, organisational, and administrative skills Valid driving licence and willingness to work flexible hours including out-of-hours responses What you'll do Investigate complaints about unnecessary suffering of non-farmed animals in a compassionate and appropriate manner Assess animals and their environments to ensure compliance with legislation and safety standards Engage in enforcement activities, including serving notices, gathering witness statements, and attending court hearings Collaborate with veterinary providers and external agencies to support investigations and care arrangements Educate pet owners and carers through advice and distribution of welfare literature Respond to emergency callouts across Northern Ireland on a scheduled 'out of hours' basis Maintain accurate records, reports, and administrative documentation related to your investigations Participate in training, meetings, and cross-council activities to enhance your role and expertise For further information on this job, apply via the link or contact the VANRATH office for a confidential chat today. Follow VANRATH on LinkedIn for expert career advice, the latest jobs, industry news and much more VANRATH acts as an agency and employment business for permanent recruitment and the supply of temporary workers. Successful applicants may be required to satisfactorily complete pre-employment checks, including references and right-to-work checks, in line with the client or agency's recruitment policy.