Could you be Hope Rescue’s new Community Support Officer?
Are you passionate about making a difference to the lives of dogs and people in our communities? Would you like to play a key role in delivering and shaping an exciting programme to improve animal welfare and human wellbeing through promoting good dog guardianship across South Wales? Do you thrive in a dynamic environment working with animals and people, where every day brings new challenges and rewards? Are you looking for a unique opportunity for career growth and professional development?
If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you to join our team as Community Support Officer with Hope in the Community.
The Role:
As a Community Support Officer, you’ll join our Hope in the Community Programme. We aim to mutually improve animal welfare, human wellbeing and community safety by empowering people to be good dog guardians. We support people and pets who are going through difficulties and work with partners to tackle harm and poor welfare in our communities. Working across 5 local authorities, we offer health, behavioural and welfare support events in local settings and work individually with pets and people who are struggling. We also work with other community partners to develop the skills, systems and awareness needed to build communities where dogs and people can thrive.
You will play a key role in both delivering and shaping this programme. In this diverse role, you will be responsible for engaging with the public at outreach events, providing 1:1 support to dog owners who struggling both with their pet’s welfare and their own wellbeing, and supporting other professionals to improve their practice to better meet the needs of dogs and owners.
What might a day might look like for you?
As our CSO, no two days will be the same!
In the morning, you could be meeting a dog guardian who is struggling to walk and feed their dog because of difficult personal circumstances. You might be collaborating with their social worker to help them find ways to meet their pet’s welfare needs. This kind of case will need empathy, a pragmatic approach and great partnership skills to support both person and dog in a sustainable and compassionate way.
You may then accompany another client to a vet visit because they find vet visits distressing or difficult to understand. You’ll advocate for and supporting them, while also helping to manage the dog’s stress and wellbeing during the visit, drawing on your expertise in dog behaviour and positive reinforcement.
In the afternoon, you could be attending an online partnership meeting, talking to other community organisations about what the programme can offer and following up to build lasting relationships that will help us progress our aims for dogs and people.
You’ll also use your excellent organisation and time management skills to make sure you’re on-track with your case recording and preparation for an upcoming community pet check clinic next week.
We are looking for someone with skills and experience of dog welfare, behaviour and training using positive reinforcement techniques, who also enjoys engaging with and supporting people who are most in need in our communities. If you are a highly motivated, creative, compassionate individual who wants the opportunity to make a real difference to dogs and owners, we want to hear from you!
We want our Hope in the Community Programme to engage with and reflect all aspects of diversity in our communities. Therefore, we actively encourage applications from candidates from minoritised groups and backgrounds.
Hope Rescue is committed to safeguarding and protecting the people and animals we work with. All posts are subject to a safer recruitment process, including following up references, and relevant background checks. We have a range of policies and procedures in place which promote safeguarding in all areas of our charity.
For more information about the role, please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification on our Hope Rescue website. We would love to hear from you if you have any questions. Please email [email protected].
To apply please email your CV and covering letter (max. 2 pages) to Louise Wheeler, Community Programme Manager at [email protected] . In your cover letter, please respond to the Job Description and Person Specification, giving examples of your experience where possible. Applications which do not include a cover letter will not be considered.
The closing date for applications is the 18th of July. Interviews are expected to be held on the 1st of August at our Rescue Centre in Llanharan.
