[Hiring] Animal Protection Specialist @The British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BC SPCA)

Role Description

The Animal Protection Specialist is responsible for delivering specialized insight and recommendations regarding the practical application of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (PCA Act) to BC SPCA staff to support effective enforcement across the province. This position is also responsible for reviewing animal protection enforcement case files to identify any areas of significant risk, trends or opportunities to enhance excellence that could be addressed through additional support and training. In addition, this position provides subject matter expertise in discussions related to training and development as it relates to the BC SPCA’s law enforcement functions.

Primary Key Responsibilities

• Operational Excellence (50%):
  • Answers questions about and provides expert guidance on enforcement of the PCA Act, and other applicable laws related to the BC SPCA’s animal protection work across the province of BC.
  • Supports good decision making and application of process by various Animal Services staff, including but not limited to: Animal Protection Officers and Regional Managers.
  • Keeps a central repository of questions to create reports and analyze trends.
  • Works with Legal Counsel, Senior Director, Animal Protection Services, and external subject matter experts to develop best practices for delivery of animal protection province-wide.
  • Stays up to date on developments in the law and trends in legal decisions.
  • Maintains and updates a centralized library of standardized operating procedures, training materials, forms, and policies for animal protection investigations.
  • Conducts regular case file reviews in Animal Protection areas.
  • Provides specific information to Regional Managers to address with their teams, as required.
  • Provides trends and areas of opportunity to Legal Counsel, Senior Director - Protection, and Senior Director - Sheltering for further discussion.
  • Assists in risk identification and mitigation through updated policies and procedural reviews.
  • Contributes to the creation and regular updating of the departmental risk register.
  • Acts as one of the BC SPCA’s points of contact for RCMP/police to provide assistance on how to do Information to Obtain Search Warrants (ITOs).
  • Reviews and improves document management systems (OneDrive, Shelter Buddy, resource libraries).
  • Ensures the BC SPCA’s Court Form database is kept up to date.
• Learning Support (30%):
  • Leads regular community of practice meetings with Animal Protection staff.
  • Acts as subject matter expert on the development of law enforcement-related training.
  • Collaborates with Training & Development Specialist to create required in-house courses, workshops, and learning materials.
  • May deliver live courses, workshops and information sessions, as required.
  • Develops an annual training calendar for initial and ongoing education for law enforcement staff.
  • Tracks law enforcement staff training activity and works with People Services to ensure this is reflected in official employment records.
  • Supports general aspects of onboarding for Animal Protection staff.
  • Works with Training & Development Specialist to review and update onboarding road maps, as required.
  • Identifies opportunities for additional clarification, sharing of information, and training.
• Animal Protection Case Support (20%):
  • Provides major warrant support, including drafting ITOs and/or other documents.
  • Attends Large Scale Animal Intake (LSAI) meetings and provides support for large scale intake management as needed.
  • Looks for opportunities to integrate volunteers into Animal Protection Services work.
  • Assists legal counsel on dispute file management where needed.
  • Provides support to legal counsel to respond to Freedom of Information (FOI) requests related to Animal Protection files.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Special Provincial Constable status (or ability to obtain within one year) or criminology diploma with minimum of 5 years’ related experience.
• Related experience includes work in the animal welfare sector or human social services sector.
• Interpreting laws and conducting case file reviews.
• Analyzing best practices and creating associated documentation and guidelines.
• Writing standard operating procedures.
• Delivering training.
• Base-level understanding of adult learning principles.
• Demonstrated ability to organize work and meet priorities.
• Excellent attention to detail and communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills with an ability to address and resolve conflict.
• Tech savvy with experience in effective use of technology.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to travel throughout the province as necessary.
• Training in privacy and confidentiality would be considered an asset.
• Working knowledge of concepts of equity, diversity, inclusion and reconciliation.
• Philosophical harmony with the BC SPCA’s vision, mission, values and strategic directions.

How to apply

If you are interested in joining our team and are legally entitled to work in Canada, we would like to hear from you. Click on apply now or use the link to apply here .

We are committed to a transparent, human-led hiring process. All hiring decisions are made by human hiring managers based on skills, experience, and alignment with the organizational values.

We thank you for your interest in the BC SPCA, however; only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. No emails or telephone calls, please.