Become an SPCA inspector
Inspectors play a vital role in the work of SPCA throughout New Zealand. They are at the front line of SPCA’s mission to prevent cruelty to animals, but their role is so much more than that.
Do you have what it takes to be an SPCA Inspector?
Contrary to what you might think, being an SPCA Inspector is not an animal rescue role, it is a compliance role where we work with people to effect behaviour change, ensuring the right outcomes for both animals and people. Whilst the role is enormously rewarding, it is also confronting at times and requires a great deal of maturity and resilience.
It requires excellent communication and problem-solving skills in order to achieve the right outcomes for animals and inspire behaviour change in owners. At times, our Inspectors may have to remove an animal from a property, but this is only one of a number of tools inspectors will use in order to deliver the best animal outcome, whilst acting within the law. The role also requires strong investigative skills, attention to detail and the ability to accurately record this in writing and in our computer systems, as some cases may lead to prosecutions.
Attributes of an SPCA Inspector
A passion to achieve better outcomes for animals in a compliance role, strong communication skills and resilience are important factors when considering your suitability to become an SPCA Inspector. Other qualities include:
We’re looking for:
- Mature temperament, confident and able to make sound judgement calls
- Resilience in the face of a challenging work environment as the work can be confronting
- Strong communication skills and solution focussed
- Ability to follow clear protocols and processes and act within the law
- Excellent information-gathering skills and the ability to record information accurately
- The ability to prioritise within a dynamic environment
- Experience and/or basic knowledge of animals and their welfare needs
- Being comfortable working in the community, with people of all ages and socio-economic backgrounds
How to become an SPCA Inspector
If you want to become an Inspector, you can apply directly or consider applying for an Inspector Support Officer role. The support officer roles provide an excellent introduction to the inspectorate and the role of Inspector.
Alternatively, your local SPCA is a great place to start. Each SPCA has a team of staff and volunteers who work together in various ways to advance the welfare of all animals in New Zealand. By volunteering at your local SPCA, you'll become familiar with how the organisation works, who is responsible for what, how the various areas function, how individual cases are handled, and so on.
SPCA runs a joint 4-month inspectorate trainee programme with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) two times a year, which comprises of online and classroom learning as well as on the job training covering animal welfare law, investigation skills, animal care and husbandry, situational awareness and tactical communications. The training programme will provide you with basic knowledge, successful completion of which enable you to become a permanent inspector.
There are three 1-week block courses during the Traineeship covering law and investigation and animals. These are held in Christchurch and Wellington. In between the block courses, trainees will need to complete field learning which may involve travel, so an ability to travel is essential. All direct training costs are met by SPCA. You will need to apply for an inspector vacancy and, if successful, this training will be mandatory.
Prior to joining, potential trainee will need to complete up to 8 hours “ride-along” to establish if this in fact a job for them. As stated above, this is a compliance and investigation role, not an animal rescue role, and many of the complaints our Inspectors deal with are confronting and disturbing.
If this sounds like a career for you, please keep an eye on our website and on SEEK to see if any jobs come up.