Team Leader Animal Control | Kaiārahi Rōpū Whakkahaere Kararehe

At Porirua City Council, we're passionate about creating a safe, welcoming and thriving city for everyone – including our four-legged residents.

We're looking for an experienced and people-focused leader to guide our Animal Control team and help deliver high-quality, customer-centred services that support responsible dog ownership across Porirua.

About the role

As Team Leader – Animal Control, you'll lead a dedicated team of Animal Control professionals responsible for delivering education, support and enforcement services under the Dog Control Act, Council's Dog Control Policy and Bylaw.

You'll provide day-to-day leadership, ensure the team is well-equipped and supported, and foster an environment where proactive education sits alongside fair and effective regulatory practice.

You'll be responsible for:

• Leading and developing a team of Animal Control Officers to deliver excellent community outcomes
• Ensuring services are delivered professionally, consistently and in line with legislative requirements
• Supporting a balanced approach that combines education, engagement and enforcement
• Managing operational planning, resource allocation and staff rosters, including after-hours coverage
• Reviewing infringement appeals and supporting enforcement and prosecution activities where required
• Coaching and training team members to build capability and confidence
• Investigating and resolving customer concerns with professionalism and empathy
• Preparing reports and providing advice to support decision-making
• Reviewing and improving systems, processes and ways of working
• Championing health and safety to ensure staff have the tools and support they need to work safely in the field
• Leading community education initiatives that promote responsible dog ownership

About you

You're an experienced leader who enjoys developing people, building relationships and finding practical solutions to complex situations. You can navigate challenging conversations with confidence and compassion, while ensuring decisions are legally sound and customer focused.

To be successful in this role, you'll bring:

• Proven leadership experience in an operational, compliance or enforcement environment
• At least five years' experience in a similar role, or a relevant qualification in compliance or enforcement
• Strong knowledge of relevant legislation and the ability to operate effectively within a regulatory framework
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
• Sound judgement and the ability to remain calm under pressure
• Strong planning, organisational and problem-solving abilities
• Experience identifying and implementing service improvements
• Confidence preparing reports and presenting information clearly
• The ability to resolve conflict and work effectively with members of the public
• A current, unrestricted New Zealand driver's licence

Experience working within local or central government would be an advantage.

What you need to do now

At Porirua City Council, you'll be part of an organisation that genuinely cares about its people and its community. You'll work alongside passionate colleagues who are committed to making a positive difference every day.

For more information about this role please contact Liz Leadbeater at Liz.Leadbeater@poriruacity.govt.nz.

Porirua City embraces and values diversity and inclusion. We actively encourage applications by people from all backgrounds and are a member of Te Uru Tāngata Diversity NZ. If you have any support or access requirements during our recruitment process, please let us know when you apply, and we’ll do our best to get you sorted.

You will need to apply via our careers centre: www.poriruacity.govt.nz/careers.

To find out more about working for Porirua City Watch this video

Applications close Thursday 25 June 2026.

Position description Apply now

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