Details: Based at the Domestic Animal Services facility in Symonston, the Senior Kennel Hand is responsible for the day-to-day welfare and health of the animals held within the facility. With a passion for animal welfare, the Senior Kennel Hand is responsible for cleaning the facility, conducting health checks, feeding, and administering medication, attending to minor wounds and abrasions, exercise and preparing enrichment activities for residents. This includes handling dangerous and aggressive dogs day-to-day to ensure that they’re welfare needs are met.

As an important member of the team, the Senior Kennel Hand works collaboratively with other staff to support the overall management of the facility, with a focus on animal welfare and ensuring the safety of visitors to the facility. You will contribute to the development, achievement and continuous improvement of team objectives and plans to ensure the service meets community standards and expectations. The Senior Kennel Hand is expected to guide and mentor Kennel Hands, particularly in relation to operational practices and animal welfare matters.

This position may be exposed to sensitive and traumatic situations and material, including potential to encounter aggressive or agitated customers, as well as viewing images and other materials associated with animal cruelty and injuries to people and/or animals.

The Senior Kennel Hand is a leading hand for the Facility Operations Coordinators, and assists them with a range of tasks such as exercising and movement of dogs around the facility, including removing or putting away dogs for volunteers and behaviour assessments.

This position does not involve direct supervision of staff, but are expected to mentor Kennel Hands.

We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where people with diverse thoughts, lived experience, and perspectives can thrive and contribute their unique talents to the ACTPS and ACT community. We encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, people with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, veterans, younger and older workers, and people with diverse genders, sexes and sexualities to apply.

Eligibility/Other Requirements:

• This position requires a National Police Check.
• Prior to commencing this role, a current registration issued under the Working with Vulnerable People (Background Checking) Act 2011 is required. For further information on Working with Vulnerable People registration refer to - Apply for or renew a WWVP registration - Access Canberra (act.gov.au)
• This position requires a Driver Licence (Class C) or equivalent.
• This position requires a pre-employment medical assessment which includes audiometric testing.
• Possession of a Certificate III in Animal Care Services, or ability to attain within the first 12 months of commencement, is required.
• Possession of an accredited microchipping certification, or ability to attain within 6 months of commencement, is required.
• Be physically fit, able to walk 2km without resting, and have no manual handing restrictions that would prevent safe physical exertion (i.e. push, pull, bend and lift over 10kg

Notes: An order of merit will be established from this selection process and may be used to fill future identical vacancies over the next 12 months.

How to Apply: For further information, please visit www.jobs.act.gov.au