Assistant Inspector – Animal Welfare and Control Services
Join to apply for the Assistant Inspector – Animal Welfare and Control Services role at Dublin City Council.
Base Pay Range
The range is provided by Dublin City Council. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.
THE JOB
The Assistant Inspector – Animal Welfare and Control Services will play a key supervisory and administrative role in the delivery of Animal Welfare and Control services provided by Dublin City Council. The Assistant Inspector will work as part of the Animal Welfare and Control Services team to proactively promote animal welfare, prevent animal cruelty, neglect, and other forms of suffering. This will be carried out in a regulatory environment, acting as an Authorised Officer under the relevant legislation, and ensuring compliance with established laws and regulations.
The role will involve investigating reports of animal abuse or neglect, conducting inspections, issuing warnings, legal notices, fines, and collaborating closely with other enforcement agencies including An Garda Síochána to take necessary legal action when required. The Assistant Inspector will also support the development and implementation of policies and procedures designed to uphold the highest standards of animal care and control within the Dublin City administrative area.
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE SHALL
* Have a good general knowledge and awareness of Animal Welfare and Control in an Irish context and an understanding of the ‘Five Freedoms’ framework for analysis of animal welfare;
* Have an ability to work collaboratively within multi-disciplinary teams and within multi-agency teams and the ability to motivate and encourage staff to achieve maximum performance;
* Possess excellent communication, interpersonal and customer awareness skills;
* Have an ability to work on their own initiative, in an independent environment and without constant supervision;
* Have an ability and a willingness to learn and an aptitude to use all new technology, information systems and equipment;
* Have an ability and willingness to learn and execute new skills and participate in and provide appropriate training where required;
* Have a good knowledge and awareness of Health and Safety legislation and Regulations, the implications for the organisation and the employee, and their application in the workplace;
* Have a good knowledge of Human Resources and Industrial Relations issues relevant to the supervision of direct labour staff;
* Have experience in the management of staff;
* Have experience in enforcement role where legal investigations, report writing and case management are involved.
QUALIFICATIONS
CHARACTER:
Each candidate shall be of good character.
HEALTH:
Candidates shall be in a state of health such that they have a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.
EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, ETC.:
Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed applications:-
* Have a minimum of two years experience of working in a live animal environment and general familiarity with animal care, animal husbandry, animal handling and animal behaviour. Work with dogs and horses will be particularly relevant;
* Hold a qualification, minimum QQI level 5 or equivalent, in an Animal Welfare related discipline e.g. Certificate in Animal Welfare; Animal Welfare and Animal Behaviour; Animal Care / Animal Care Assistant. or British Horse Society Stage 2 or equivalent;
* Have a good knowledge and experience of risk assessment, operational planning and implementation in a regulatory environment;
* Have attained such a standard of education as would enable the candidate to carry out efficiently the duties of the post, including the writing of clear and concise reports;
* Have satisfactory experience of Health and Safety legislation related to operational planning and implementation in the workplace, (both indoor and outdoor);
* Have satisfactory experience of working in a team environment;
* Have a satisfactory knowledge of Animal Welfare legislation and regulations in relation to the Control of Horses and the Control of Dogs Acts and have an understanding of evolving legislation, best practice and technology in the area of animal welfare;
* Have a proven ability to build and maintain good working relationships with multiple stakeholders e.g. statutory agencies, community and voluntary sector organisations, the general public; and external contractors / service providers;
* Possess adequate competence in the use of IT systems;
* Have the ability to gather relevant information and present findings where necessary to Dublin City Council Management, any relevant requesters and for specific purposes e.g. court proceedings.
* Have experience in an enforcement related role;
* Have experience in a managerial role.
On the date of appointment the successful candidate must possess a current unendorsed full driving licence (Categories B minimum) as they will be required to drive in the course of their duties. A fleet vehicle will be provided to the successful applicant.
DUTIES
The duties of the post include, but are not limited to, the following:
* Investigation of reports of animal welfare issues/abuses and illegal actions and planning of appropriate response actions within the relevant legislative provisions;
* Organisation, risk assessment and supervision of routine operational activity, including the requisitioning of machinery and equipment as required, in connection with the safe removal of animals from various sites across the city; including parks, public open spaces and private properties;
* Planning and on-site execution of responses in cases of non-routine adverse events involving animal welfare, including co-ordination with other statutory agencies where appropriate and management of potential conflict situations;
* Enforcement under the relevant legislations and issuing of fixed penalty notices when necessary;
* Effective liaison with various City Council sections and departments, An Garda Síochána, Veterinary services, the general public, advocacy groups, local businesses, residents’ and tenants’ associations etc. in connection with positive and negative animal welfare issues;
* Implementation of all aspects of the Control of Dogs Act 1986, Control of Horses Act 1996, Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010 and various regulations, bye‑laws and other statutory instruments and amending legislation under the direction of the appropriate office of the City Council;
* Administrative duties and report writing;
* Assisting the Animal Welfare Inspector in management of the staff and services and assist in organising of training;
* Undertaking the necessary training and upskilling required for the role;
* Supervision of staff members assigned to work under their remit and assist the Inspector in management of day-to-day interaction between the Dublin City Council Animal Welfare Service and external parties;
* Deputising for the Inspector as and when required in the organisation, logistical planning and overall supervision of work within their area of responsibility; the rostering and supervision of personnel to ensure balanced citywide coverage over a seven‑day week; this will include responsibility for proper use of fleet vehicles and equipment;
* Regular liaison with any external providers formally engaged on a contract for services basis. Monitoring and implementation of Service Level Agreements;
* Maintenance of accurate, timely and complete records on all operational activity using agreed templates, formats and systems. Preparation and presentation of written inspection reports and recommendations in whatever format and for whatever purposes, as may be required from time to time including legal proceedings;
* Serving of statutory notices as an ‘Authorised Officer’ of Dublin Council under the various Acts including servings of notices and fines;
* Animal Welfare Officer Duties as required;
* Optimisation of resources for the provision of cost‑effective services within the defined area of responsibility;
* Contributing to the ongoing development of Dublin City Council’s Animal Welfare Service, including improvements in education, knowledge and skills to enhance Dublin City Council’s reputation in the delivery of better animal welfare or control outcomes;
* Planning and execution of operations with An Garda Síochána;
* Supplementing the Dog Warden service under the Control of Dogs Act as assisting the warden service with daily duties when required;
* Attending court as necessary to present evidence on behalf of Dublin City Council in prosecution of animal welfare offences or under the various acts for control offences and illegalities such as failure to produce a licence, passport, microchipping and improper procedures in kennelling/stabling facilities etc.;
* Assisting other statutory bodies or organisations with the rescue and handling of wild or exotic animals or birds when necessary;
* Manage health and safety during operational duties;
* To carry out such other duties as may be assigned from time to time.
Employment type
Full‑time
Seniority level
Not Applicable
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