Overview

Excellent career opportunities
North & South Island locations available
This advert is for 3 roles, advertised in several locations. Location of successful applicants are negotiable.
The Department of Conservation (DOC) received a significant funding boost in 2018 of $181.6 million over four years.   This is one of the biggest funding increases that DOC has ever received, and it will benefit New Zealand’s native plants, wildlife and natural landscapes.  $76 million of this funding is for biodiversity initiatives across land, freshwater and marine ecosystems, which means that DOC’s Biodiversity Group is expanding in order to deliver its ambitious new work programme.

 

Within the Aquatic Unit several new Technical Advisor roles have been created. The first third have been fully scoped and are ready for appointments to be made.   Each of the roles has a slightly different focus but they are both excellent opportunities for experienced conservationists to work on some of the more complex and challenging conservation issues facing New Zealand.  The overarching focus of the roles is to lead the technical advice on the protection and recovery of aquatic species and ecosystems across freshwater domains.

 

Both roles will be fast paced, often reactive and will require extensive engagement with stakeholders. Candidates must be strong influencers, negotiators, communicators and collaborators, be confident presenters and have an aptitude for mentoring and training others.  Project management skills are also important, as is the ability to think and plan at a strategic level. Experience of working in partnership with iwi, understanding of tikanga Māori and mātauranga Māori would be an advantage.

Specific areas of knowledge that will complement the existing Aquatic Unit team are lake ecosystems, eco-hydrology, biosecurity, pressures on freshwater biodiversity and ecosystems and the management of freshwater species and habitats.  Experience in RMA and planning processes would be a distinct advantage.  Successful candidates will be expected to work across a range of freshwater related programmes in addition to the focus areas of the roles described below.

 

Role one:

One of the roles has a focus on providing advice and supporting a freshwater management programme to support non-migratory fish in the Southland, Otago and Canterbury regions.   The role will also provide technical eco-hydrology advice that supports advocacy through RMA processes across DOC.

This role require candidates with a post-graduate qualification in ecology, hydrology or environmental science and a minimum of 3-5 years relevant work experience. Experience of providing advice in a statutory context is highly desirable.
This role can be based in Hamilton, Wellington or Invercargill, but location is negotiable.

 

Role two:

The second role has a focus on supporting frontline Operations teams to achieve restoration outcomes and at priority sites.  This role will support research projects and provide specialist advice and technical support to the Operations team delivering catchment-based restoration programmes.  The appointee will need to influence and work closely with colleagues and external partners to ensure a co-ordinated approach to restoration work.

This role can be located in Whangarei, Warkworth or North Head.

The role requires candidates with a post-graduate qualification in natural sciences and a minimum of 3-5 years relevant work experience.

Role three:

The third role will provide specialist advice focused on initiating and leading a management programme to understand the distribution and management of freshwater pest species, including techniques to reduce, contain or alleviate pests in a variety of freshwater ecosystem types. The position will also develop and support the implementation of a DOC-wide strategy for reducing the impact of freshwater pest species on our native biodiversity and ecosystems.

This role requires candidates with a post-graduate qualification in natural sciences, with a minimum of 3-5 years relevant work experience.

This role can be in either Hamilton Wellington or Hokitika, but location can be negotiable.