Could you abseil down a mountainside, swim 50m fully clothed, and handle anything from primates to pythons?

Then the RSPCA thinks it might have the job for you.

For the first time in three years, the animal charity is recruiting and is on the hunt for 24 people to join its uniformed inspectors team.

Surrey and London are among the six areas that the RSPCA would particularly like to receive applications from, although traditionally inspectors can be posted anywhere in England and Wales.

Others areas include Essex, Liverpool, Manchester and West Yorkshire.

The RSPCA is expecting around 10,000 applications for the coveted posts but warns that the job is "extremely physically and emotionally demanding."

Assistant director of the RSPCA Inspectorate, Dermot Murphy, worked as an RSPCA ambulance driver, inspector and chief inspector covering London for 16 years.

"This is a brilliant opportunity for anyone who thinks they’ve got what it takes to be an RSPCA inspector," he said.

"No day is ever the same and there’s no better feeling than knowing that you’ve made a real difference to the lives of animals."

He continued: "However, anyone considering this job needs to apply with their eyes wide open. It is not easy and you need to be strong mentally and physically to cope with the distressing sights you have to witness, the emotional situations you have to handle and the difficult decisions you have to make every day.

"But for the right person, this could be the chance of a lifetime to get their dream job working on the frontline to improve animal welfare."

What's expected of an RSPCA inspector?

  • RSPCA inspectors respond to animal welfare complaints from the public
  • They advise owners on how to do the best for their animal’s welfare
  • Where necessary, they investigate concerns

What qualities do candidates need?

  • They need to have good working knowledge of relevant legislation
  • Be able to compile a cruelty case file of evidence to pass on to prosecutors
  • Physically fit - animals can weigh anything up to 70kg
  • No fear of heights or cramped spaces
  • No animal allergies
  • Emotional strength
  • Strong people skills and empathy to handle difficult situations

What else should candidates know about the role?

  • Inspectors can spend a lot of their time working alone, on a 24/7 shift pattern, 365 days a year
  • Working hours can be long and demanding
  • Successful candidates will train for a year - costing the charity £50,000
  • Tests include a 50m swim fully clothed, written tests, practical animal handling as well as training in handling difficult situations

How to apply

Visit www.rspca.org.uk/jobs

The deadline for applications is March 17 and 160 candidates will be shortlisted and interviewed over six weeks.

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