Animal Rescue Officer in Gillingham

Overview

As an Animal Rescue Officer (ARO) with the RSPCA, you\’ll respond to reports of cruelty, neglect, or injury and play a vital role in preventing animal suffering through education, advice, and, where necessary, intervention.

You will be part of a team that recognises the emotional demands of animal rescue work and supports wellbeing, development, and career progression.

Responsibilities

• Respond to reports of cruelty, neglect, or injury and take appropriate action to protect animals and inform stakeholders.
• Engage with members of the public in emotionally charged situations, using calm, confident communication to de-escalate and gather accurate information under pressure while maintaining professionalism and empathy.
• Travel may be required, including long distances and remote locations; work is often independent, with access to training, equipment, and guidance to work safely and confidently.
• Make accountable decisions with real consequences for animal welfare and public safety, often with limited supervision.

Essential qualifications and requirements

• Aged 17 or over at application and 18 by the course start date.
• Resilience, good judgement, and strong communication skills for sensitive conversations.
• Ability to work independently as part of a wider team.
• Willingness to work varied shifts between 8am and 9pm, including bank holidays and weekends.
• Availability to start on 18 May 2026 and commit to a continuous, intensive 26-week training programme (annual leave cannot be taken during this period).
• Flexibility to travel for training at locations across the country, with occasional overnight stays.
• Full manual driving licence with recent experience and confidence driving long distances (up to 150 miles per day).
• Comfortable with lone working.
• Confident swimmer: able to swim 50 metres fully clothed within 2.5 minutes by the point of assessment during training.

Additional information

We welcome applications from people with a wide range of backgrounds. You do not need previous animal welfare experience to apply; many of the skills needed for this role can be gained through other careers, caring roles, volunteering, or community-facing work. We recognise that people bring different strengths, backgrounds, and experiences.

We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce and actively welcome applications from all backgrounds, particularly those from minority ethnic communities, disabled people, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those from non-traditional career paths.

We may close the advert early if sufficient applications are received before the closing date.

Application and recruitment process

• Mandatory online awareness sessions: w/c 9 February.
• Online assessments: slots between 23 February and 6 March.
• Online interviews: slots between 16 March and 27 March.
• To be considered, you must live within the postcodes specified in the document titled \’Kent – Postcodes\’.
• Relocation is not being considered at this time.

For more information on the recruitment and pre-employment checking process, please refer to the attached document titled ARO Recruitment and Pre-Employment Process – Advert. A note of the awareness session and assessment/interview dates is recommended.

Rotas are planned in advance with wellbeing and sustainability in mind. The role requires a range of shifts between 8am and 9pm, including bank holidays and weekends, and occasional longer hours to complete tasks. You will receive comprehensive training during the 26-week programme and continued support after joining.

Important note: If you need any support with your application or interview, please contact: resourcingteam@rspca.org.uk or 0300 123 0685.

Final note: good luck with your application—we look forward to hearing from you.