• Make a difference in flood resilience
• Permanent Full-Time Position
• Best of both worlds – Office & Field based

Kaunihera Taiao ki Waitaha │ About Environment Canterbury

Waitaha - our Canterbury region - is like no other and we are proud to call it home. We are privileged to be working with Ngā Papatipu Rūnanga, stakeholders, and our wider community to protect our environment, including water, land, and air through regulation and planning. As a Regional Council we're responsible for flood protection, public transport, civil defence, and more.

Together we're taking action to shape a thriving and resilient Canterbury, now and for future generations. Toitū te marae o Tāne, toitū te marae o Tangaroa, toitū te tangata, If the land is well and the sea is well, the people will thrive.

Kōrero mō te Tūranga | About the Role

The Rivers Section administers 58 special rating districts and provides advice on flood resilience across Waitaha Canterbury.  

As Area Engineer – Northern, you'll Lead, manage, and develop your staff. You'll oversee timely, budget-compliant engineering work completion by Area Supervisor, Depot staff, and contractors, meeting technical, environmental, and health and safety standards. You'll be responsible for delivering a programme of work from the Ashley River up to and including the Kaikōura Plains. In this diverse role.

More about the role:

• Lead and develop staff 
• Deliver physical work programmes
• Provide related technical and flood monitoring advice
• Manage capital projects
• Collaborate with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders

The indicative salary range for the Area Engineer – Northern is $77,000 – $110,000 depending on skills and experience. This permanent full-time position is 40 hours per week, based in our Kainga office in Canterbury. There will be times when you will be out in the field away from the office.

Mōu │ About You                            

Ideally, you’ll have a tertiary qualification (bachelor’s degree preferred) in engineering, NZCE, Registered Engineering Associate or equivalent qualification alongside at least 5 years of practical experience, and a strong interest in river management.

You’re innovative, and solutions-focused with an agile mindset applying sound engineering judgment to deliver quality service and outcomes.

More about you:

• Experience managing projects, remedial works, work programmes
• Are a confident communicator, capable of building relationships
• Experience in implementing Health and Safety requirements
• Understand flood response practices
• Experience with asset management systems

Local knowledge of the Northern Canterbury area and its rivers would be an advantage.

We can teach you how we do things here at Environment Canterbury, what’s important is:

• Your ability to apply sound engineering judgement to deliver quality service & outcomes
• Your ability to prioritise work
• Your ability to proactively look for opportunities to deliver great results
• A ‘can-do’ positive attitude
• Your desire and ability to apply mātauranga Māori and te ao Māori principles into your work and nurture mana whenua relationships

Ngā hua o te Mahi i te Kaunihera Taiao ki Waitaha | Working at Environment Canterbury  

Our values underpin everything we do. We understand and embrace a diverse workforce; this diversity will enable us to better serve our people, our community, and our greatest taonga, the environment. We value everyone’s contribution, diverse thinking, and skills.

We're on a journey to become a treaty partner of excellence, including incorporating te ao Māori into our work. We offer supportive opportunities to develop capability in this area and encourage our people to use kaupapa Māori, mātauranga Māori and te reo Māori in our daily work. We welcome you with an open heart & mind, wherever you are on your personal te ao Māori journey.

For a confidential chat about this role, please contact Cliff Thomas on 027 258 6308.

Applications close on Sunday, 22 September. We encourage you to register your interest early. We will review applications as we receive them and reserve the right to close the advertising early.  

Short-listed candidates will be required to complete an interview process, reference checks and a criminal check. Further background checking will be required when relevant to the role. 

Me mahi tahi tātou - Together we can