Local Authority Officer

The main responsibility of this role will be to manage the relationships with the Local Authority Animal Welfare Officers signed up to Battersea’s Stray Dog Support Programme, and relevant stakeholders to design, support, develop and deliver the programme. This role will play a key role in developing the Stray Dog Support Programme (SDSP), working closely with the internal Programme board and the affiliated Local Authorities.

What you’ll be doing:

• Work closely with Battersea Academy to co-create, deliver and evaluate the effectiveness of the training provided, working on delivering ongoing improvements based on feedback and outcomes.
• Provide ongoing support, advice, and guidance to operational teams across Battersea, ensuring the goals and actions of the SDSP are understood across the organisation.
• Work alongside the member Local Authorities and other Battersea departments on the development of advice, support and public awareness campaigns on responsible dog ownership and stray prevention.
• Work closely with all relevant parties to ensure the safe handling and transportation of stray dogs in and out of Battersea care.
• Ensure all legislative responsibilities are met under the Environmental Protection Act and Animal Welfare Act.
• Ensure processes are in place to provide effective recording, reporting, and secure data management.
• Ensure processes are in place to provide effective welfare assessment and behaviour monitoring support at LA kennel facilities.

Who we’re looking for:

• A full driving licence, with the ability to use either Battersea vehicles or their own.
• Experience or knowledge of working with Local Authorities or animal welfare charities.
• Proven experience in dog handling and behavioural assessment.
• Excellent administrative and organisational skills.
• The ability to research, collate data and produce high-quality reports.
• A good standard of written English and numeracy.
• Confident use of MS Office and other IT systems.

What we can offer you:

• 36 days of annual leave (inclusive of 8 days Bank Holiday leave allowance) per year for full time employees (pro-rated for part-time employees).
• Discounted gym memberships and cycle to work schemes.
• Employee Assistance Programme and access to Wellbeing Resources.
• Generous pension contributions - up to 10% employer contribution.
• Free healthcare cash plan, where you can claim for a range of treatment including dental, optical, physiotherapy, chiropody and acupuncture every year.

We are also committed to providing learning and development to our employees. During your time with us, we provide support for your professional and career development, including access to digital and in-person training programmes, leadership and management training, mentoring and much more.

Working with our animals:

Working with our rescues is a very rewarding experience. Your work plays a vital role in giving our dogs and cats a chance at finding their forever home. Every day will be different and will come with its own unique challenges. We are looking for people with the resilience and adaptability to handle all aspects of this role. It is important to note that the role does involve a lot of physical tasks which are required to provide the exceptional standards of care to our animals.

Diversity and inclusion:

We are committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive experience for all staff, volunteers and trustees and those hoping to join us. We operate an anonymised shortlisting process and actively seek to ensure our process is fair and equitable for all. We understand the value of diverse voices, perspectives, and experiences to help us deliver even more for our dogs and cats, and we welcome applicants from all sections of the community. As a Disability Confident Committed Employer we will ask about any adjustments you may need at application and/or interview stage, and if you are offered a role with us, we’ll talk to you about any workplace adjustments you may need to help you perform at your best.

If you would like to talk more about this, please contact jobs@battersea.org.uk or call us on 020 3887 8341. Greyscale copies of the recruitment pack are also available on request.

More about us:

At Battersea, we aim to never turn away a dog or cat in need of help. We give each one lots of love, expert care and get to know their characters and quirks so we can find them a new home that’s just right for them. Join us and help us be here for every dog and cat, wherever they are, for as long as they need us.