Assistant Animal Care Manager

About RSPCA Queensland

For nearly 140 years, RSPCA Queensland has been a leading animal welfare charity, dedicated to improving the lives of animals – whether domestic, farmed, or native. We care for over 42,000 animals annually, relying on the generosity of animal lovers like you to fund 96% of our life-changing services.

Our Mission: Together We Change Lives, And That Includes Yours.

About the Role

Join RSPCA Queensland as an Assistant Animal Care Manager at our Gympie Shelter, where every day you'll make a tangible impact on the lives of animals – and the people who care for them.

This is a permanent, part time role averaging 32 hours per week, with shifts rostered across weekdays, weekends, and public holidays. Flexibility on rostering is essential as we operate 365 days a year.

You'll work closely with the Animal Care Manager, acting as their right-hand support to ensure smooth daily operations and exceptional standards of animal welfare. From coordinating animal care and managing workflows to fostering collaboration across departments like Veterinary Services, Behaviour, Adoptions and Foster, you'll play a key role in keeping the shelter running efficiently.

You'll also lead by example – supporting and mentoring a passionate team of staff and volunteers, helping create an environment where animals can thrive and people feel valued and supported.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for a calm, capable second-in-charge who leads with empathy, initiative and composure. You'll work hand-in-hand with the Animal Care Manager to keep daily operations running smoothly – supporting staff and volunteers, managing competing priorities, and ensuring every animal receives the highest standard of care.

With the shelter operating under a Gympie Regional Council contract, you'll also bring strong conflict resolution skills, professionalism in stakeholder interactions, and confidence handling administrative and customer-facing duties such as point-of-sale transactions and retail product upselling.

This could be the perfect role for a qualified Vet Nurse or experienced animal care professional ready for a new challenge one that blends hands-on animal work with leadership, mentoring and operational management.

What You'll Do

In this role, you will:

• Assist the Animal Care Manager in the day-to-day operations of the shelter
• Support and mentor staff and volunteers, ensuring clarity, safety and engagement
• Oversee animal husbandry, health and enrichment programs
• Coordinate animal intakes, adoptions and transfers, maintaining accurate records
• Ensure compliance with RSPCA policies, procedures and the Animal Care & Protection Act
• Liaise with local council and other stakeholders to achieve positive outcomes
• Contribute to behaviour assessments and welfare planning
• Lead by example in creating a clean, safe and compassionate shelter environment
• Support events, educational visits, and community engagement initiatives

What You'll Bring to the Role

You'll bring a mix of leadership, compassion and operational know-how, along with:

• 1+ years' experience in a management or supervisory role
• Hands-on experience in animal husbandry or shelter care
• Strong communication, delegation and problem-solving skills
• Confidence using systems (Microsoft Office, ShelterBuddy, etc.)
• Ability to manage competing priorities with composure and accuracy
• A genuine passion for animal welfare and alignment with RSPCA Qld's mission and values
• Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing (or equivalent) preferred

Why Join Us?

• Comprehensive Support: Enjoy 8 weeks of paid parental leave, flexible working arrangements, study leave, and even leave for your furry companions. We also provide access to counselling and mental health services.
• Employee Perks: From free on-site parking to exclusive discounts, novated leases, free pet vaccines, and 50% off Royal Canin pet food, we've got you covered You can also adopt a new furry friend with free adoption options.
• Professional Growth: Access expansive learning and development programs to help you elevate your career and skill set.
• Purpose-Driven Impact: Be part of a mission-driven organisation where every task makes a tangible difference to animal welfare.

At RSPCA Qld, we encourage you to grow your skills, expand your responsibilities, and explore different career pathways. By enhancing your qualifications and capabilities, you can take advantage of internal opportunities across our many departments – from animal care to operations, outreach, and more.

Interested?

If this sounds like the perfect opportunity for you, apply today

Successful candidates will be required to undergo a Police Check for the safety and well-being of the community, staff, and animals. A pre-employment medical assessment may also be required.

RSPCA Queensland acknowledges the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land. We are an equal opportunity employer committed to a fair and inclusive hiring process, welcoming applicants of all backgrounds, regardless of faith, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender identity.