Behaviour and Welfare Advisor (2379)

Shape a Brighter Future for Animals: Join the RSPCA as a Behaviour and Welfare Advisor!

Are you a passionate and experienced animal behaviour professional dedicated to improving the lives of dogs, cats, and small animals? Do you thrive in a supportive yet challenging environment, committed to positive welfare outcomes and successful rehoming?

We are looking for a Behaviour and Welfare Advisor (BWA) to join our team at the RSPCA Millbrook Animal Centre.  As a Behaviour and Welfare Advisor, you will design and implement behaviour and welfare plans for a variety of animals in RSPCA care who, due to a history of neglect and abuse, have welfare or behavioural needs.

You will be part of a network of Behaviour and Welfare Advisors, with the support of the RSPCA's Clinical Animal Behaviourists and a wide range of animal welfare professionals playing a crucial role in the rehabilitation and rehoming of animals in our care.

You will work 35 hours a week on a 4 week rolling rota which includes every other weekend.

Interviews will take place w/c 28th July.

We think this role's going to be popular and are expecting to attract high interest so we strongly encourage early applications to avoid missing out - closing date is the 4th July 2025

As a Behaviour and Welfare Advisor, you will be instrumental in assessing and monitoring the behaviour and welfare of animals from intake through to rehoming. Your expertise will be crucial in:

• Devising and implementing comprehensive behaviour and welfare plans for dogs, cats, and small animals.
  
  
• Conducting and overseeing environmental, behavioural, and training interventions.
  
  
• Supporting and training RSPCA staff and volunteers in animal care, management, and behaviour modification.
  
  
• Providing vital pre and post-adoption support to maximise successful rehoming and minimise return rates.
  
  
• Collaborating with a diverse team, including Animal Care Staff, Vets, and the National RSPCA Behaviour Team (CABs), who will provide ongoing support and oversight.
  
  

This is a hands-on individual contributor role, based at our Animal Centre with occasional travel to other RSPCA facilities and private boarding establishments. You'll work in an emotionally rewarding, and at times demanding, environment, making a real impact on animal lives.

Essential:

• A Level 5 qualification in dog welfare, behaviour, and training.

• A full UK driving licence.

• Proven practical experience in the care, husbandry, and handling of dogs within the animal care/welfare industry.

• Hands-on experience applying theoretical behaviour modification and training principles (outside of personal pets).

• Excellent communication and customer care skills, with experience working and communicating with the general public.

• Strong computer, IT, and administrative skills.

Desirable:

• A Level 5 or higher qualification in dog/cat/small animal welfare, behaviour, and training.

• Registration as an Animal Behaviour Technician with the Animal Behaviour and Training Council.

• Experience in a shelter environment caring for dogs, cats, or small animals.

• Experience working with fearful or threatening animals.

• Experience in the charity sector.

• Experience training colleagues or owners in animal handling, training, and behaviour modification.

Successful candidates for certain RSPCA roles will need to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK - We are unable to sponsor visas at RSPCA

We want to ensure we do all we can to give you a positive candidate experience through our recruitment. Whilst we do try to give feedback where we can, sometimes due to receiving high levels of applications, this may not always be possible

We are building the future of a diverse Society, and our priority is to support animal welfare by finding people from all backgrounds who are committed  to our mission.  For this reason we actively encourage a wide diversity of applications - in particular from members of minority ethnic groups, and people with disabilities - as these candidates are currently under-represented at the RSPCA. Your transferable skills & lived experiences could make you a valuable addition to our RSPCA Family! 

Should you need any support with your application or interview process please contact resourcingteam@rspca.org.uk / 0300 123 0685.

Our mission is to ensure animals have a good life by rescuing and caring for those in need, by advocating on behalf of all animals and by inspiring everyone to treat them with compassion and respect