15th September, 2025
About RSPCA NSW
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals New South Wales (RSPCA NSW) is a not-for-profit animal welfare organisation. We provide a strong voice for animals experiencing cruelty and neglect. RSPCA NSW is committed to the care and welfare of animals, providing extensive professional facilities, including fully equipped veterinary hospitals and our state-wide shelter network, with approximately 500 staff across NSW to care for animals.
Why Work For Us?
- A broad range of leave entitlements, including 12 weeks of paid parental leave
- Access to a range of mental health and wellbeing supportive initiatives, including confidential counselling services and education programs
- Generous discount on products and services, including pet food, retail and vet clinic products and services
- Access to a range of learning and development opportunities that will benefit and support you in your role
- Staff parking and a newly renovated work environment
Position Description:
The Behaviour Trainer position has been developed to evaluate the temperament of animals with the purpose of determining their potential for rehoming, assist with the development and implementation of environmental enrichment, and undertake behaviour modification programs for animals under the care of RSPCANSW.
· Observe, accurately interpret, and document months of canine behaviour both in shelter and other environments.
· Identify canine behavioural needs as per organizational policy and procedures.
· Assist in welfare assessments, behaviour evaluation of animals to prepare them for rehoming, and identify relevant changes and potential problems.
· Assist with writing intake plans and management plans and escalate when necessary to manage quality of life within the shelter and enhance their chances of successful rehoming.
· Assist with implementing and undertaking the training and behaviour management required for individual animals.
· Monitor the progress of individual animals on management and rehabilitation plans.
· Document rehabilitation sessions, video footage, or any other interaction with canines on email and general animal notes.
· Undertake enrichment for individual animals (environmental, sensory, and social)
· Support shelter staff to carry out training, enrichment, and management of animals under supervision.
· Contribute to appropriate outcomes for animals in line with organizational policy, including rescue requests.
· Assist with meet and greet sessions with potential adoption animals.
· Undertake general administrative and office duties as and when required.
· Attend internal training courses and meetings as requested by the management team and keep up to date with the latest research on canine behaviour and training.
· Relationship management with all stakeholders and members of the public. Comply with all RSPCA NSW policies and procedures, as implemented, varied or replaced from time to time
· Demonstrate personal leadership in the implementation of RSPCA NSW's Work Health & Safety (WHS) management system, facilitate its effectiveness by ensuring adequate resources are available, and that all employees are aware of their WHS obligations, and that one's personal behaviour model's the organisation's commitment to WHS
The duties outlined above are indicative only and in no way limit RSPCA NSW in directing other duties (specific tasks, projects, or related activities) to the employee, provided such duties are within the employee's level of competence or training.
Qualifications:
- Certificate II Companion Animal Studies is desirable
- Enrolled in a Certificate IV in Behaviour and Training or Companion Animal
- Studies or Companion Animal Behaviour, or willing to undertake alongside your role.
- Current Class C driver's license.
Experience:
- At least three months of experience in a kennel, shelter, or welfare environment.
- Experience and ability to observe and interpret canine body language, including facial expressions, vocalizations, and their relationship to emotional states.
- Experience safely handling a range of different breeds of dogs with varying behavioural characteristics (including those with fear and anxiety) for general husbandry and training.
- Experience with fear-free restraint, force-free and reward-based training, and handling approaches.
Skills: - Knowledge of dog behaviour, training and behaviour modification practices.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Ability to work collaboratively in a team
- Ability to lift 10kg
- Ability to work under pressure.
- Resilience
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