Are you passionate about animal welfare and want to make a real difference to causes you care about? Do you want to start a career that you can be proud of? Then consider a career with Animal Welfare League NSW.
Animal Welfare League NSW (AWL NSW) is a registered charity that has been operating for over 60 years. We provide expert care to surrendered, neglected and abandoned animals across NSW.
Current Vacancies
Regional Coordinator - Bega
This is a 3 day a week part time role, initially on a two-year fixed term contract, with the potential for permanency.
The role
AWL NSW is establishing regional walk-in centres that will serve as a presence in local areas for public engagement. Directed by the Inspectorate and working closely with our Branch network, the Regional Coordinator will be the face of the regional walk-in centre and first point of contact. The Regional Coordinator will be the office manager for the regional centre, will coordinate public enquiries and will educate people on animal care and welfare and relevant legislation and regulations, such as the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979, Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regulation 2012 and associated Codes of Practice. We are seeking an independent self-starter able to work under their own initiative, with a keen interest in animal welfare and a strong customer service mindset. This is a stand-alone role, with management direction from our Head Office in Western Sydney. This is a 3 day a week part time role, initially on a two-year fixed term contract, with the potential for permanency.
Your main responsibilities include:
Office Management
- Operate reception responding to enquiries via walk-ins, phone-calls and emails.
- Assess the enquiry type, provide relevant and legislatively sound advice where possible or refer to the relevant expert within AWL NSW.
- Make referrals and connections to appropriate services within AWL NSW or externally as appropriate.
- Handle office administration effectively.
- Coordinate with the Branches and Regional Inspector to best utilise office space.
- Promote the regional centre and AWL NSW services in the local area to generate workflow.
- Undertake admin activities in support of the Inspectorate and Branches, where capacity is available.
Inspectorate
- Working closely with the Regional Inspectors and under the guidance of the Inspectorate Manager, this role promotes the presence and services of the Inspectorate in the region.
- Notifies the Inspectorate Administrator of Animal Cruelty Cases, for logging and allocation to Inspectors.
- Educates the community on looking after animals in their care.
- Coordinates with the Regional Inspector for the rescue or removal of animals in immediate or potential risk and makes arrangements to accommodate them within AWL Shelters.
- Co-ordinates, implements and oversees special projects as required.
Branch Interface
- Coordinate with the local Branch presidents on opportunities to promote AWL NSW presence in the region.
- Support the Branch Committee to utilise the Regional Centre as appropriate.
- Assist with the adoption of animals where appropriate.
- Support the arrangement of transportation of animals to the AWL NSW Shelter(s).
Experience and Qualifications:
- Certificate II in Animal Care or equivalent/related qualification is highly desirable
- Experience in the Animal Care industry is essential
- Reception, Office Management and/or administration experience is essential
- Experience specifically in the Animal Welfare sector, is highly desirable
Skills and Experience:
- Strong people and communication skills
- Ability and desire to provide quality customer service
- Well-developed interpersonal skills
- Good time management skills and the ability to work well under own initiative
- Self-motivated and self-disciplined
- Able to work independently as well as an effective team member
- Ability to engage and influence a variety of different people
- A good working knowledge of the appropriate legislation including (but not limited to) Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, Companion Animals Act and Codes of Practice
- Ability to effectively give advice and educate the public on animal welfare issues
- Affinity with and knowledge of animals, both large and small
- Must have sound computer skills including the use of email, internet and Microsoft Office applications
Foster Care Coordinator - Cats
This hands-on role is essential for efficiently progressing animals through our centre, reducing their time in care, and maximising their well-being through fostering.
The Opportunity
As a key member of our passionate shelter services team, the Foster Care Coordinator – Cats will work in collaboration with the Shelter Managers and other key departments within AWL NSW, and will play a pivotal role in sustaining and growing a highly skilled volunteer foster care network. Your work will ensure that animal welfare outcomes are met and enhanced through the effective use of foster carers. This hands-on role is essential for efficiently progressing animals through our centre, reducing their time in care, and maximising their well-being through fostering. Your role will involve building strong relationships and networking with other facilities and customers to effectively promote the rehoming of animals from AWL NSW Kemps Creek shelter.
Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to
- Recruit, train, and support foster carers
- Develop and deliver training materials and procedures
- Conduct vetting, home inspections (as required), and match foster carers with suitable animals
- Coordinate the transfer of animals from shelters to foster carers and ensure their well-being
- Maintain accurate records, prepare reports, and manage data
- Collaborate with Shelter and Veterinary teams to assess and meet the needs of foster animals
- Work with the Marketing team & other relevant teams to maximise opportunities via social media to promote animals for adoption
- Develop and maintain relationships with AWL NSW Branch members and other third parties
- Ensure compliance with WHS policies and procedures
- Implement and support behaviour modification programs (as required) post-adoption
- Some on call support may be required to support Foster Carers out of hours. This is typically only for urgent support needs and will be compensated by an on call allowance.
Why You’ll Love It Here
At AWL NSW, we offer competitive pay and benefits, including access to an Employee Assistance Program, retail discounts, and professional development opportunities. Every day, you’ll play a vital role in our lifesaving work. Our mission is to empower our team members, fostering a culture where meaningful work is recognised and valued.
What we’re looking for
- Relevant qualifications &/or extensive experience in animal care, shelters, or rehoming organisations (Certificate III in Animal Care or equivalent).
- Desirable: Strong background in training program development, operations, and project management.
- Intermediate skills in MS Office and experience working in a collaborative team environment.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Deep knowledge and compassion for animals
- Excellent time management and organisational skills, with an eye for detail
This is an exciting opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of animals and the people who care for them. If you are passionate about animal welfare and have the skills and experience to contribute to our foster care program, we would love to hear from you. If you’re ready to make a significant impact, join our compassionate and skilled team! Please submit a cover letter detailing why you’re a great fit for this role, along with your resume highlighting your experience and qualifications.
Note: You must have unrestricted work rights in Australia to be considered.
AWL NSW is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
Are you looking for a career in an industry you’re passionate about?
Join the passionate team at Animal Welfare League NSW and help care for vulnerable and neglected animals across NSW. If you’re interested in making a difference and becoming part of AWL NSW, simply click here to send an email with your resume and detail why you’d like to join us.
About the different areas of service at Animal Welfare League NSW
Veterinary Services
The Animal Welfare League NSW veterinary team provides care to animals who may be surrendered to our shelter, branches or seized by our Inspectorate. Our veterinary team is responsible for ensuring the best welfare outcomes for the pets in our care, as well as providing routine treatment and surgery to help prepare our shelter pets for their new home. In addition to our standard clinic procedures, our veterinary team has a unique role in providing assistance with our Mobile Vet Truck which travels to regional areas, supporting our branch network to provide community services such as desexing, vaccination and microchipping drives. Our Mobile Vet Truck and veterinary team also act a ‘Rapid Response Unit’ providing urgent medical care to pets, livestock and wildlife affected by bushfires and other disasters.
Animal Welfare League NSW is interested to hear from people who are keen to work in the welfare space. If you are a qualified Veterinary Surgeon or qualified Veterinary Nurses then we would love to hear from.
Inspectorate
As one of only two licenced enforcement agencies in NSW, Animal Welfare League NSW can offer a challenging and rewarding career for those interested in animal welfare. Animal Welfare League NSW Inspectors are qualified and licenced to ensure we follow the laws that govern our operations. A Certificate IV in Government is desired to equip you with the knowledge to investigate matters under the law, and extensive knowledge is also required on the current Companion Animals Act and Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.
Being an Animal Welfare Inspector is a tough job that requires resilience and the ability to understand the hardships of the role. Seeing animals in poor condition can be confronting and may not only affect your physical health, but your mental health too so a pragmatic approach is essential. A large part of the job is helping to alleviate animal cruelty and neglect by providing education to pet owners, but sometimes a pet may need to be seized and an offender prosecuted.
Animal Welfare League NSW is interested in hearing from people who may already be qualified, or from those who are interested in starting an animal welfare career as an Inspector.
Shelter Services
The Animal Welfare League NSW shelter team is responsible for caring for hundreds of pets that rely on us each year. Our shelter team provides daily care, socialisation and training to help our pets find new forever homes. If you have a genuine interest in working with companion animals and have already obtained a Certificate ll in Animal Services (or are willing to obtain one), then you may be the next member of our shelter team. In our shelter, there are opportunities to advance your career into team leader or management roles, as well as moving into specialist roles which assist our foster care, volunteers and branch network.
If you would like to know more about becoming an Animal Welfare League NSW Animal Attendant then please get in touch.
Marketing and Fundraising
As a registered charity, Animal Welfare League NSW relies on community support and regular donations to be able to run our services and plan for future programs. We look after hundreds of animals every year through our shelters, branches, foster care network, and Inspectorate, and this work is supporting by our Marketing initiatives and promotions. Our Marketing and Fundraising team are also responsible for raising awareness of our vital work through our website, social media, and various events and activities.
If you have the skills and qualifications needed to work in a small and fast-paced Marketing team, and have a genuine interest in animal welfare, then we would love to hear from you.
Administration and Business Support
The rest of the organisation does not function without the dedicated support of the Finance, HR and other support teams. So, if this is where your skills and interests lie, and you are passionate about the welfare of animals, marry the two together by joining our team.
Whatever your skill set and area of expertise, you can express a general interest or respond to any open positions advertised on this page or in the media. You can reach out to us to explore careers opportunities by emailing us.
hr@awlnsw.com.au.