Behaviour and Welfare Advisor
Behaviour and Welfare Advisor

Behaviour and Welfare Advisor

Aylesbury Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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The Rspca

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Assess and improve the welfare of cats and small animals, creating tailored intervention plans.
  • Company: Join the RSPCA team at our Blackberry Farm Animal Centre in Aylesbury.
  • Benefits: Gain hands-on experience, support animal welfare, and work in a collaborative environment.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of animals while developing your skills.
  • Qualifications: Level 5 qualification or relevant experience; driving licence required.
  • Other info: Flexible working hours with opportunities for career growth and development.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

Overview

Onsite role: Your base will be at our Blackberry Farm Animal Centre located in Aylesbury. Due to the location and limited public transport, a driver’s license is essential for this position.

We value belonging to the team from the start, with regular check-ins and team meetings. A teammate is always available for support or a quick chat. We anticipate strong interest in this role and therefore encourage early applications; the closing date is 23 September.

What a day might look like: At RSPCA, no two days are the same. As a Behaviour and Welfare Advisor, you’ll assess and monitor the welfare of cats and small animals, with a growing focus on cats arriving from multi-cat households that may present complex behavioural issues due to poor early socialisation. You’ll design and implement structured intervention plans to enable faster rehabilitation, shorter stays, and greater rehoming success. You’ll work closely with colleagues, volunteers and behaviour specialists, providing training, advice and hands-on support at your base and across other centres, ensuring animals with the most challenging needs have the best chance of a happy future.

Responsibilities

  • Assess and monitor the behaviour and welfare of cats and dogs in our care.
  • Develop and implement tailored behaviour and welfare plans, with a focus on more complex cases.
  • Support and train staff and volunteers to care for and rehabilitate animals effectively.
  • Provide pre- and post-adoption advice to help ensure successful rehoming and reduce return rates.
  • Visit other RSPCA centres, branches and private boarding establishments to support animal welfare decisions.

Qualifications and Requirements

  • Applicants must hold a Level 5 qualification attracting 120 UCAS points (UK Tariff or equivalent). Candidates who are currently working towards such a qualification may be considered if they can demonstrate substantial, directly relevant work experience and a clear developmental pathway towards completion.
  • Full UK Driving licence – you will frequently be required to travel between multiple sites.
  • Successful candidates for certain RSPCA roles will need to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
  • Right to work in the UK; we are unable to sponsor visas at RSPCA.
  • Desirable: Proven ability to apply theory of behaviour modification and training principles (beyond personal pets); experience training others in handling, training and behaviour modification; strong IT and administrative skills (preferably Google platform); excellent communication skills to support and engage colleagues, volunteers and the public.

Working Arrangements and Additional Information

  • Working hours: 35 hours per week, Monday to Sunday on a rota.
  • We are building a diverse society and actively encourage applications from underrepresented groups, including minority ethnic groups and people with disabilities.
  • We are committed to a positive candidate experience; feedback may not always be possible due to high application volumes.
  • For application or interview support, please contact 0300 123 0685.

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Behaviour and Welfare Advisor employer: The Rspca

At RSPCA, we pride ourselves on fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment at our Blackberry Farm Animal Centre in Aylesbury. As a Behaviour and Welfare Advisor, you will benefit from regular team check-ins, collaborative training opportunities, and the chance to make a meaningful impact on animal welfare. With a commitment to employee growth and a focus on diverse perspectives, we encourage passionate individuals to join us in creating brighter futures for animals in need.
The Rspca

Contact Detail:

The Rspca Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Behaviour and Welfare Advisor

✨Tip Number 1

Get to know the RSPCA and its mission! Research their values and recent projects, especially around animal welfare. This will help you connect your passion for animal behaviour with their goals during interviews.

✨Tip Number 2

Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for standing out in the application process.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for behavioural interview questions. Think of examples from your past experiences where you've successfully handled complex cases or trained others. We want to see how you can apply your skills in real-life situations!

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the RSPCA team right from the start.

We think you need these skills to ace Behaviour and Welfare Advisor

Behaviour Assessment
Welfare Monitoring
Behaviour Modification
Training and Development
Communication Skills
Problem-Solving Skills
Team Collaboration
Animal Rehabilitation
IT Skills
Administrative Skills
Driving Licence
Adaptability
Public Engagement

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for animal welfare shine through! We want to see how much you care about helping animals and making a difference in their lives.

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight your relevant experience and skills. We’re looking for specific examples of how you've dealt with complex behavioural issues or supported animal welfare in the past.

Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that are easy to read. Avoid jargon unless it’s necessary, and make sure your qualifications and experiences stand out!

Apply Early!: Don’t wait until the last minute to submit your application. We anticipate a lot of interest in this role, so applying early gives you a better chance to stand out. Head over to our website and get your application in!

How to prepare for a job interview at The Rspca

✨Know Your Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of animal behaviour and welfare, especially regarding cats from multi-cat households. Familiarise yourself with common behavioural issues and intervention strategies, as this will show your passion and expertise during the interview.

✨Showcase Your Experience

Be ready to discuss your relevant qualifications and any hands-on experience you've had in animal care or behaviour modification. Prepare specific examples of how you've successfully trained others or implemented behaviour plans, as this will demonstrate your capability for the role.

✨Communication is Key

Since you'll be working closely with colleagues, volunteers, and the public, highlight your communication skills. Think of examples where you've effectively engaged with others, provided training, or resolved conflicts, as this will illustrate your ability to work well in a team.

✨Plan Your Journey

Given the location of the Blackberry Farm Animal Centre, ensure you have a reliable plan for getting there. If you're driving, check your route and consider potential traffic. Arriving on time shows your commitment and reliability, which are crucial traits for this role.

Behaviour and Welfare Advisor
The Rspca
Location: Aylesbury
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