Rspca or sspca inspector Job Information | National Careers Service

The work

Your work would include:

• checking neglect and cruelty complaints
• advising owners on proper care, issuing warnings or taking some cases to court
• deciding if rescued animals need medical treatment
• putting animals down humanely if their condition can't be treated
• inspecting animal establishments like kennels and pet shops
• inspecting events like circuses, agricultural shows and race meetings
• working closely with the police, local councils, veterinary surgeons and dog wardens
• rescuing wild animals such as deer or foxes that are injured or trapped
• writing reports
• giving evidence in court
• giving talks and presentations to educate the public about animal care and protection.

You would begin as an animal welfare officer, and your tasks in this role would include:

• investigating low level complaints
• collecting and rescuing animals
• supporting inspectors in their work with more complicated cases.

In the SSPCA, you could be an auxiliary inspector, covering remoter parts of Scotland. You would be trained to assess situations and decide whether an inspector needs to be present.

Hours

In the RSPCA, you would work 35 hours a week. As the RSPCA provides a 24-hour service, you would work shifts including weekends, nights and bank holidays.

In the SSPCA, you would work 37.5 hours a week. In some areas you would work a shift system covering weekends, bank holidays, and evenings or nights.

You would work both indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions. You may also be involved in potentially dangerous situations, for example climbing cliffs or trees to rescue animals.

As an RSPCA inspector, you must be prepared to work anywhere in England or Wales, although your personal preferences will be considered.

In the SSPCA you can be expected to work anywhere in Scotland.

Income

Qualified inspectors earn from £24,246 to £27,078 a year. This includes an accommodation allowance. There are additional allowances for inspectors working in London.

SSPCA inspectors earn from £18,000 to £20,000 a year after around five years. They also receive a housing allowance.

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Entry requirements

RSPCA

There is no direct entry as an RSPCA inspector, so you would first be recruited as an animal welfare officer. For this role you would need:

• physical fitness
• the ability to swim 50 metres fully clothed
• a full UK driving licence
• at least five GCSEs (A-C) or equivalent qualifications
• excellent interpersonal skills.

Employers will prefer you to have experience of working with animals. One way to get experience is to volunteer at one of the RSPCA animal centres, for example helping with day-to-day animal care or walking dogs. You can find out about other opportunities for voluntary work with animals on the Do-it website.

• do-it.org.uk

See the RSPCA website for details of local animal centres, recruitment dates and more information about relevant qualifications and experience.

• RSPCA

SSPCA

For the SSPCA you will need:

• physical fitness
• at least five standard grades or the equivalent, including English
• relevant qualifications from an agricultural college and experience of working with animals
• a full UK driving licence.

You might be able to volunteer at an SSPCA animal welfare centre. See the SSPCA website for details of local centres, and the relevant qualifications and experience you will need.

• SSPCA

You can find information about other opportunities for voluntary work with animals in your area on the Volunteer Scotland website.

• Volunteer Scotland

Training and development

RSPCA

Once you start work with the RSPCA, you will receive full training together with doing practical work at both national and regional offices.

You may also be able to work towards Level 3 Award/Certificate/Diploma in Work-based Animal Care.

SSPCA

In the SSPCA, your training would take place at the headquarters in Edinburgh. The training programme lasts for five months and includes:

• in-house training
• courses with other organisations
• on-going assessment and a final examination.

Skills and knowledge

To become an RSPCA or SSPCA inspector, you will need to have:

• clear communication skills
• the ability to handle animals confidently
• logical thinking and good judgement
• the ability to handle confrontational situations
• accurate report writing ability
• the ability to deal with unpleasant and distressing situations
• the ability to work in a team.

More information

RSPCA
Wilberforce Way
Southwater
Horsham
West Sussex
RH13 9RS
www.rspca.org.uk

SSPCA
Braehead Mains
603 Queensferry Road
Edinburgh
EH4 6EA
Tel: 0131 339 0222
www.scottishspca.org

Opportunities

The RSPCA has inspectors throughout England and Wales. The SSPCA employs around 49 inspectors and chief inspectors based all over Scotland.

When vacancies are available they are advertised on the RSPCA or SSPCA websites. Both organisations receive large numbers of applications, so competition for jobs is very strong.

As an experienced RSPCA inspector, you may have an opportunity for promotion to chief inspector, managing a team of five to ten inspectors. You could then progress to regional superintendent and on to management or training posts at the organisation's headquarters.

In the SSPCA, you could be promoted to senior inspector, then chief inspector, superintendent and chief superintendent.

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