Entry criteria

• 5 GCSE’s - Grade C or above or the equivalent to include English and Maths.
• A full, current, UK licence to drive a car with a manual gearbox
• The ability to swim 50 metres fully clothed within 2.5 minutes.
• A good level of physical fitness.
• Proven experience of working both as part of a team and independently.
• Proven interpersonal skills – experience in the successful management of confrontational situations is essential.
• Experience of working with animals.
• Good administrative skills.
• The flexibility to work unsociable hours including some evenings, weekends and bank holidays
• Unless you have applied for a vacancy within a specified location, by completing this form you are accepting that you are able to relocate anywhere within England or Wales at the Society’s discretion.
   

Training to be an RSPCA inspector

In order for you to qualify as an RSPCA inspector, you must successfully complete 26 training units contained within a series of modules. Module duration is between one and eight weeks. Under normal circumstances you are expected to complete your training within a year from registering on the initial module.

Full-board accommodation will be provided for you during your attendance for these modules. This is to allow for centralised training, including some evening workshops and tutorials, at an appropriate venue in England or Wales, depending on the module content.

Criminal offences

Due to the nature of the work, a conviction (or formal caution within the past ten years) for a number of criminal offences, will mean a rejection of your application. The offences include (but not exhaustively) violent crime, public order, corruption or dishonesty.

Section 21 of the Firearms Act sets out restrictions on the possession of firearms by certain categories of persons convicted of crimes. In short, persons who are sentenced to a term of imprisonment of three years or more are never allowed to possess firearms, and persons who are sentenced to a term of imprisonment for three months or more but less than three years must not possess firearms until five years have passed since the date of release.

Consideration may also be given to any previous convictions or cautions and in particular, any conviction which involves the use of a firearm and, offences involving violence, or offences involving dishonesty or a disregard for public safety.

Rehabilitation of Offenders Act

This post is not protected by the Act. You will be required to declare details of all convictions and police cautions, including those regarded as ‘spent’ under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act.

Important information

If you or your family or partner have any business or financial connection with animals, you are required to disclose it. You should notify the Learning and Development department of any potential or perceived conflict with the Society’s policies or reputation.

More information on the inspector role can be found in the following document:

Trainee Inspector Career Information (PDF 60 KB)

Ready to apply?

If you have met the above criteria and are certain you have what it takes to become an RSPCA inspector you can register your interest online.