About the Organisation

Aurukun Shire Council plays a crucial role in leading the community and addressing the needs of its residents. The Council works closely with various stakeholders, including government agencies, non­ governmental organisations, and local businesses, to improve service delivery and create opportunities for the community it serves.

Key focus areas for the Aurukun Shire Council include community safety, governance, economic development, and preservation of cultural identity, environmental management, postal services and child care provision.

Initiatives are developed and implemented in consultation with community members, ensuring their active participation and ownership. The Council strives to empower community members, promote self­ determination, and build a sustainable and prosperous future for Aurukun.

About the Role

Reporting to the Environmental Health Manager the purpose of this position is to contribute to the development and implementation of council’s Animal Management Plan and Policies.

In accordance with Council’s Local Law, keeping and control of Animals, this highly autonomous position will take responsibility for domestic animals, holding facility maintenance and animal care and rehoming, animal registrations and microchipping, record keeping, animal welfare activities and educational programs (and feral animal monitoring).

Key Responsibilities

Mentoring and training Indigenous Animal Control Assistants

Communication, Planning & Administration:

Provide advice to the Environmental Health Manager regarding appropriate responses to emergent issues and associated operational budget expenditure

Contribute to operational planning and reporting

Domestic Animals - Wandering animal surveillance, capture and control measures:

Undertake community patrols to identify stray, nuisance, sick and injured animals and collect any unregistered animals (in accordance with local government laws and Animal Management plan/policy)

Capture and impound wandering animals where necessary and identify/notify owners

Release impounded animals to owners if appropriate (e.g) number of dogs kept complies with Council local laws, registration and impound fees paid, animal tagged and microchipped)

Promptly respond to and investigate complaints and incidents with appropriate action, report outcomes to Council.

Holding Facility Maintenance and Animal Care:

Provide basic first aid to sick or injured impounded animals where necessary

Feed/water and exercise animals daily at the pound

Report sick or injured animals and request veterinary assistance to administer veterinary medication, sedation or euthanise as necessary

Ensure enclosures are secure and only accessible by authorised Council personnel

Arrange and monitor safe storage of veterinary supplies, maintain a record of uses using AMRRIC management system and order replacements as required or authorised

In conjunction with the veterinary services arrange and monitor safe storage of veterinary S4 drugs record of uses using approved record keeping systems.

Review animal management and pound supplies and place relevant orders

Work with the vet to schedule regular visits for desexing, surgeries, vaccinations

Ensure vehicles and relevant resources are available and operational for vet visitations, census data collectors

Animal Registrations and Record Keeping:

Ensure all animals are recorded and detailed information stored into the AMRRIC registration system

Update pound records using the AMRRIC record keeping system

Record keeping of dog attacks and outcomes

Work with Queensland Health to develop and maintain an animal management plan.

Animal Welfare activities and educational programs:

Liaise with Council and the community on various strategies for animal health and population control

Gather detailed information on animal population, problems and health and input into the ongoing development and review of Council’s Animal Management Plan

Raise community awareness and provide advice to all animal owners regarding their responsibilities as animal owners

Keep current education information available to community and conduct regular presentations on animal management and welfare issues to the community and schools by personal contact (meetings, lessons) and/or local newsletters

Support the veterinary service to educate the community on the importance of keeping animals such as horses, cattle and pigs out of the community including roads, sports fields, water supply, schools, rubbish facilities

Qualifications, Experience, Knowledge & Skills

Essential

Class C Drivers licence (manual);

Handling hazardous chemicals certificate;

Senior First Aid certificate;

Hold a current firearms licence or be able to obtain the relevant clearances to access training and acquire a firearms licence within the first 6 months of employment;

Demonstrated experience in a similar role;

Demonstrated knowledge of animal behaviour, control, and identification;

Demonstrated high level interpersonal and communication skills with ability to negotiate and manage conflict;

Demonstrated computer literacy utilising the Microsoft Office suite of products;

Working with children’s check Blue Card

Demonstrated ability to work unsupervised and as part of a team to achieve positive outcomes;

Knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, with ability to communicate effectively and sensitively with Indigenous people;

Understanding of legislation, or ability to acquire legislative knowledge of Aurukun Shire Council Local Law and subordinate Local Law, Keeping and Control of Animals

Desirable

Tertiary qualifications at Certificate IV in Animal Control and Regulation or equivalent;

Authorised microchip implanter preferred

Experience with assisting in preparation and delivery of veterinary drugs with guidance from vets

Experience in maintaining a register of authorised medicines

Experience of living and working in a remote community

Benefits

Joining ASC means becoming part of an organisation with strong cultural values with a focus on providing exceptional services to, and for, the community. You will be offered;

A salary of $90,000 including locality allowance, depending on qualifications and experience plus superannuation

Subsidised accommodation provided

5 weeks annual leave

Flights to Cairns from Aurukun in accordance with council policy

Isolation Leave in accordance with council policy

Relocation expenses in accordance with council policy

How to apply

Applications which include Cover Letter and Resume can be sent to;

Fran O'Dwyer

HR Manager

Aurukun Shire Council

E: [email protected]

M: 0418 387 516

Applications close 4pm, Monday 28 July 2025.

Only applicants with the right to work in Australia will be considered for this role.

This role may be filled prior to the nominated closing date.