Senior Investigator - Environment and Specialised Regulation | Full-time Temporary with a Possibility of Permanency

About this role

Closes: 07 August 2026

Classification: Senior Officer Grade C

Position No: 53561

Advertised (Gazettal date): 31 July 2026

Contact Officer: David Holland on David.Holland@act.gov.au or (02) 6205 3758

Details: The Senior Investigator is the principal investigations specialist within Animal Regulation and is responsible for leading the most complex, sensitive and high-risk investigations undertaken by the service.

Reporting to the Director, the role provides expert investigative leadership, professional mentoring and quality assurance across administrative and criminal investigations relating primarily to animal welfare, domestic animal management, animal-related compliance and associated prosecution activities. The position supports a contemporary, intelligence-led and evidence-based approach to investigations and contributes to the continuous improvement of investigative capability across the organisation.

The role operates in a dynamic and often unpredictable regulatory environment involving exposure to confronting animal welfare matters, high-conflict situations and emotionally charged interactions with victims, complainants, respondents and other stakeholders. The position requires resilience, sound judgement, emotional intelligence and the ability to maintain professionalism and objectivity while managing complex investigations in both office-based and field-based environments.

The role is responsible for leading investigations involving significant public interest, serious animal welfare concerns, major dog attack incidents, complex evidentiary issues or matters requiring prosecution. The position provides specialist advice on investigative methodologies, enforcement pathways, evidentiary requirements, procedural fairness and prosecution readiness and supports the preparation of matters for consideration by tribunals and courts.

While primarily supporting Animal Regulation, the Senior Investigator may be required to provide specialist investigative expertise, mentoring and operational support to other regulatory functions within Environment and Specialised Regulation, including matters relating to environmental protection, nature conservation, biosecurity, waste and utilities regulation.

As a senior practitioner, the role contributes to capability development, investigation standards, regulatory integrity and organisational learning across the broader regulatory environment.

We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where people with diverse thoughts, lived experience, and perspectives can thrive and contribute their unique talents to the ACTPS and ACT community. We encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, people with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, veterans, younger and older workers, and people with diverse genders, sexes and sexualities to apply.

Eligibility/Other Requirements

• Visa holders are eligible to apply for both permanent and temporary roles. Those with eligible visas may be considered for permanent employment, while individuals with temporary residency or limited-duration visas may be offered permanent employment for the duration of their visas.
• Experience leading and managing operational teams in a regulatory environment is highly desirable.
• Possession of a Diploma of Government (Investigations), or the ability to obtain within the first 12 months of commencement, is highly desirable.
• This position requires a Driver Licence (Class C) or equivalent.
• This position requires pre-employment psychological testing.
• This position requires a National Police Check prior to commencement.
• This position does not require a Working with Vulnerable People Check or Security Clearance.

*Note:*This is a temporary position available from 3 September 2026 for a period of 12 months with the possibility of permanency.

An order of merit will be established from this selection process and may be used to fill future identical vacancies over the next 12 months.

This position has moved to a new workplace designed for activity-based working (ABW). Under ABW arrangements, officers will not have a designated workstation/desk.

*How to Apply:*Applicants must address each Selection Criteria (up to 350 words per criterion). Please take into consideration the “Duties/Responsibilities" section when addressing how you have demonstrated the Selection Criteria. Applicants must also supply a current curriculum vitae and contact details of two references, which includes a current supervisor.

Applications should be submitted .

Note: Under the ACTPS employment framework you may be placed in another role where required for the efficient administration of the service.

Where an offer of employment is for a fixed-term period, any related temporary contracts within the Territory will be issued in compliance with the requirements and applicable exceptions outlined in the Fair Work Act.

The ACT public service is committed to closing the gap, underpinned by the belief that when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have a genuine say in the design and delivery of policies, programs and services that affect them, better life outcomes are achieved. More information can be found here ACT Closing the Gap Implementation Plan - ACT Government Transparency Portal.

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Note

This is a temporary position available from 3 September 2026 for a period of 12 months with the possibility of permanency.

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