Animal Welfare Officer (SO2) – Facilities & Environment

BSNI are working with Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council to recruit a Animal Welfare Officer (SO2) – Facilities & Environment. This role is temporary.

Employment type
Temporary
Number of people required
1
Target start date
01 Apr 2026
Duration
16 Weeks
Hours per week
37

Rate
PAYE: £20.29 per hour

Job location
The Island, Lisburn, Lisburn and Castlereagh, BT27 4RL, United Kingdom.

Job Purpose

To carry out on behalf of District Councils the enforcement requirements of the Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 2011, in respect of non-farmed animals.  To ensure that reports and complaints in respect of unnecessary suffering of animals are investigated and enforcement action taken where needed. This will include issuing improvement notices and instigating legal proceedings, PACE interviewing, preparation of prosecution files and attendance at court hearings to give evidence as an expert witness.

The officer will need to a self-motivated attitude as this is mainly a lone working role which requires flexibility to working hours and environment conditions and must provide a solutions orientated approach.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Take the appropriate necessary action to enforce the Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 in respect of non-farmed animals.
Assess and evaluate the health and condition of a wide range of animals and their environments to ensure compliance with the Welfare of Animals Act (NI) 2011 and take appropriate action to safeguard the animal’s welfare which may include transportation of small animals in the Council vehicle.
Carry out investigations into complaints of all breaches of the Welfare of Animals Act (NI) 2011 to non-farmed animals, in an appropriate and compassionate manner. This will often involve dealing with people in a state of high anxiety, emotion and will require tenacity to result in a desirable outcome, especially where limited departmental budget resources mean that the appropriate enforcement action cannot always take place.
To analyse situations, make decisions and take responsible action on site whilst working alone and/or with minimal supervision or back-up. To work in a creative and innovative manner within a general guideline structure, often in challenging environments.
To work in a highly self-organised manner, reacting to daily conflicting priorities and to remain clearly focused and highly self-motivated in order to achieve set targets with relation to response times and to effectively manage group and council spending on each case.
Where a breach of the Welfare of Animals Act (NI) 2011 has taken place, to make decisions and proceed with the most appropriate action including where necessary seeking veterinary advice and liaising with contractors in arranging transportation and board for non-farmed animals in a Council approved establishment.
Educate and offer advice and literature to owners and carers of animals which seeks to improve or maintain the welfare of the animal(s) and prevent and alleviate suffering.
To liaise with multiple departmental managers across several councils depending on location of incidents and to keep all appropriate persons updated and briefed of investigative progress, legal timescale of prosecution and of court findings/convictions. This includes preparing press releases on case outcomes and convictions for the relevant council to release to local and national press bodies.
Undertake enforcement action and to instigate legal proceedings; to include serving of Notices, PACE interviewing of suspects, preparation of evidence and prosecution files and attendance at Court hearings and appeals to give evidence as an expert witness and to be cross-examined. Such work will require a detailed and experienced knowledge of the laws of criminal evidence and the relevant codes of practice under the Police and Criminal Evidence (NI) Order 1989 (PACE)
Required to work as a lone worker in unpleasant environments, directly dealing with contentious/threatening people and issues which requires advocacy, persuasion, sensitivity and problem solving within a general guideline structure.  To remain professional and un-phased during times of volatile and emotive dispute throughout the course of the postholders duties.
To establish and develop links with the PSNI, DAERA, NI Housing Executive, Animal Welfare Charities, Animal Rehoming Sanctuaries, Social Services and other relevant public and private bodies and to develop and maintain effective working relationships with internal agencies alongside the external agencies on all matters connected with enforcement of legislation, policy and procedures relating to the postholders remit.
Prepare written reports, maintain records, compile and collate statistical returns and legal documents to a high standard.
To prepare search warrant applications where necessary and gain sanction direct from court magistrates and execute said warrants, requesting PSNI assistance if required. Arrange for a locksmith to make secure any property that has been compromised as a result of warrant execution.
The postholder will be required to work with vulnerable adults and have experience to be able to decide on the best course of action in order to progress with investigating cases where vulnerable adults are involved. This involves working within a general but not definitive guideline structure and requires diplomacy and compassion for both animals and their owners when decision making on an individual’s vulnerability.
Undertake training and attend meetings, supervision, seminars and other events designed to improve communication and assist with the effective and ongoing development of the post.
To regularly work across all Council areas in Northern Ireland and undertake shared responsibility for holiday /sickness coverage. To regularly work outside the employing Group Council cluster and to cover staff shortages in other group areas. In addition, work an on-call rota system to provide cover across every day of the year including all bank holidays.
To work outside of core hours and often needed to work unsociable hours with very little notice, which is unpredictable due to the nature of the role.
To drive and be solely responsible for a council vehicle and maintain it in a clean and roadworthy condition and report any mechanical faults to the Council Fleet Manager. To complete a daily vehicle check and ensure that the vehicle complies with the Council’s health and safety requirements.
To be solely responsible for technology items necessary for carrying out the job role and to be proficient at using them. This will include (but not limited to): laptop, touch-screen tablet, Blackberry, body-camera, digital camera, animal-microchip scanner, probe thermometer, PACE digital recording equipment used for interviewing suspects.
To work at all times within the parameters of the Data Protection Act when dealing with any personal information with cases and not discussing any aspect of investigations whether open or closed with anyone outside of the Animal Welfare department, unless the detail is already within the public domain.
The postholder will be required to perform the majority of duties outside in all types of weather conditions wearing Council issued uniforms and appropriate PPE as required, as well as working in very dirty, undesirable and hazardous settings and surroundings. The postholder will be required to perform the large majority of duties alone and during periods of darkness and often with periods of physical effort in awkward and dangerous positions, especially when searching for equines in mountainous or isolated areas.
Carry out such duties as may be specified by your Line Manager.
The duties listed give an indication of the type of work to be undertaken, however these may change in line with the changing priorities and demands of the service.

Qualifications and Experience

Applicants must possess a minimum of HNC level (or equivalent) in Animal Care/Animal Management or a related discipline

AND

Be able to demonstrate, by providing personal and specific examples, that they have 1 years’ experience in an enforcement role to include:

Providing advice and guidance to members of the public
Producing written reports to include the writing of statements, maintaining continuity of evidence and preparing legal files
Liaising with other public or professional bodies.
Serving Notices and attending Court Hearings to give evidence.
Providing advice and guidance to members of the public
Producing written reports to include the writing of statements, maintaining continuity of evidence and preparing legal files
Liaising with other public or professional bodies.
Serving Notices and attending Court Hearings to give evidence.
OR, for candidates who do not meet the qualification requirements as outlined above:

Be able to demonstrate, by providing personal and specific examples, that they have 2 years’ experience in an enforcement role to include:

A working knowledge of MS Office packages to include Word, Outlook and Excel

Application form
General
It is essential that applicants hold a full (i.e. not provisional) and current UK driving licence and access to a car or* have access to a means of transport which would enable the applicant to carry out the duties of the post. * Applies only to applicants who have a disability under the Disability Discrimination Act.
Application Form
Competencies

(Operational Level)
These competencies are the top 6 competencies the Local Government Competency Framework[i] which have been identified and prioritised for effective performance in this role.

2. How we manage ourselves

2.1 Managing our own work – Plans, structures and prioritises own work to achieve optimum results

Communicating with impact – Presents a positive image by communicating effectively, being resilient and treating people fairly
3.How we work with others

Influencing outcomes – Adapts style and approach to achieve effective outcome
Meeting customer needs – Establishes the needs of customers and strives to ensure that these are met
4.How we move forward

4.1 Problem solving & decision making – Gathers information from a range of sources. Analyses information to identify problems and issues. Makes effective decisions and recommendations based on resolution agreement within an environment of trust, mutual respect and cooperation

4.3 Achieving results – Takes personal responsibility for making things happen. Shows

motivation and perseverance in overcoming obstacles and achieving results

For more information contact Jessica or Debbie on 02895219313

BSNI are an acting recruitment agency.