Local Government Supervisor

About The Lost Dogs’ Home

At The Lost Dogs’ Home, we have provided compassion and care since 1910. Each year, we support thousands of lost, stray and unwanted companion animals through shelter, veterinary, behaviour, adoption, foster and reunification services, always seeking the best possible outcome for every animal in our care.

Join a passionate, values-driven team where your work will help give animals the best chance of a happy and healthy life.

About the Role

We’re looking for an experienced Local Government Supervisor to lead the day-to-day operations of our Ambulance and Admissions functions across our North Melbourne and Cranbourne sites.

Working closely with the Admissions and Ambulance Team Leader, you’ll ensure safe, efficient and customer-focused services while providing operational leadership, workforce oversight and guidance on complex case management. You’ll keep services running smoothly, strengthen capability and consistency across the teams, and ensure our work meets organisational, legislative and animal welfare requirements.

You’ll partner with internal teams, councils and external stakeholders to resolve escalated matters and drive practical improvements. As deputy to the Local Government and Service Delivery Manager, you’ll build strong council relationships, support delivery against contractual commitments and provide leadership coverage during periods of leave.

What You’ll Do

• Lead, coach and support Ambulance and Admissions employees across both locations, fostering accountability, engagement, wellbeing and high service standards.
• Oversee recruitment, induction, training, rostering and workforce planning to maintain capable teams and reliable service coverage, including after-hours operations.
• Coordinate workflows and communication across customer service, admissions, ambulance and local government functions, acting as a key escalation point for complex, sensitive or urgent matters.
• Oversee animal intake, triage, allocation and case progression, monitoring timeliness, data accuracy, service quality, risks and emerging trends.
• Collaborate with veterinary, behaviour and other operational teams to improve workflows and achieve positive animal welfare and service outcomes.
• Manage seized-animal cases from admission to finalisation, maintaining accurate registers and coordinating council instructions, evidence, costs, timeframes and disposition decisions.
• Prepare and quality-check records for court proceedings or formal council action, and ensure finalised cases, invoicing, notifications and operational tasks are closed promptly.
• Build responsive, professional relationships with council partners; attend meetings and stakeholder forums; provide operational updates; and coordinate agreed actions, joint initiatives and service improvements.
• Support financial end-of-month processes, council invoicing, reconciliations and RSPCA, operational and compliance reporting.
• Travel between both sites and attend off-site council meetings, stakeholder engagements and operational activities as required.

About You

You’re a practical, people-focused leader who can motivate and develop teams working across multiple locations and operating hours. You bring sound knowledge of animal welfare, animal handling, transport and admissions gained in a shelter, pound, veterinary or animal management environment, together with an understanding of Victorian animal management legislation, local government pound requirements and relevant welfare standards.

Experienced in working with local government stakeholders, you understand council priorities and operating contexts and can build constructive relationships across multidisciplinary teams. You communicate clearly, collaborate naturally and remain calm and professional when managing complaints, conflict, sensitive cases or time-critical operational challenges.

You’re proactive, organised and detail-focused, with strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills. You can identify service gaps, implement practical improvements and achieve sustainable outcomes while balancing customer service, operational needs, compliance and animal welfare.

A valid driver licence and safe driving record are essential.

If you’re ready to lead with purpose and help deliver better outcomes for animals, councils and the community, we’d love to hear from you.