Animal Control Officer

Mornington Island is located in the Gulf of Carpentaria, 125 kilometres north-west of Burketown and 200 kilometres west of Karumba.  Mornington Island offers a great climate and a pristine natural environment.  It is just a hop, skip and jump to the mainland, via weekday flights to Normanton, Cairns, and Mount Isa.  Mornington Shire Council provides a range of services for 1,250 predominantly First Nations community members.

Role

Contribute to delivering a range of public and environmental health and animal control services that aim to protect and promote health, prevent the incidence of infectious diseases, safeguard the environment, and enhance quality of life in the community.

Responsibilities

Communication, Planning & Administration

• Participate in the development and delivery of environmental health education programs throughout the community
• Contribute to the development and implementation of an environmental health management plan that identifies a schedule of on-going duties to be performed throughout the year
• Participate in community consultation and planning with regard to the provision of environmental health services and appropriate community infrastructure (eg housing, water and waste disposal) for healthy environments
• Develop and maintain knowledge of relevant Acts, local laws and other subordinate legislation including (but not limited to) Public Health Act, Food Act, Environmental Protection Act.
• Provide timely response to environmental health complaints and enquiries from the community
• Undertake routine inspections, investigations, surveys, enquiries and other assigned tasks relative to the environmental health of the community

Domestic Animals - Wandering animal surveillance, capture and destruction:

• Undertake community patrols to identify stray, nuisance or sick animals and collect any unregistered animals (in accordance with relevant legislation and Council's local 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 is in keeping with Community/Council regulations, registration paid, animal is tagged or chipped)
• Promptly respond to and investigate complaints including call outs with appropriate action and report outcomes to Council.

Holding facility maintenance and animal care:

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

· Clean out pens and feed/water animals

· Exercise animals

· Report sick or injured animals and request veterinary assistance if necessary.

Health Promotion

• Raise awareness of environmental health issues by meeting with local community groups and elders
• Provide advice to residents regarding household and personal hygiene (eg. Making sure food is covered to stop flies)
• Conduct regular presentations of health education material to the community and schools by personal contact (e.g. meetings, classes) and/or local newsletters.

Skills and Qualifications

• Certificate three in Environmental Health or another related discipline.
• Experience in a community setting managing community health and hygiene, food and water safety, animal welfare and control, waste systems monitoring.
• Consultative, interpersonal and negotiating skills (both oral and written), with a demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with relevant stakeholders at strategic and operational levels.
• Knowledge of relevant Acts, local laws and other subordinate legislation including (but not limited to) Public Health Act, Food Act, Environmental Protection Act.
• omputer based systems skills, including business related application software.
• Class C Drivers Licence
• Knowledge and understanding of workplace health and safety issues as they relate to the position
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated commitment to the local community

Please note: This is an on-island position

Applications Close 5.00pm Friday 3 October 2025

Your application will include the following questions:

• Which of the following statements best describes your right to work in Australia?
• How many years' experience do you have as an Environmental Health or Animal Control Officer?
• Do you have experience in administration?
• Do you have a current Australian driver's licence?
• What's your expected annual base salary?
• Are you available to work public holidays?