- Technical leadership role influencing resource management
- Role based in Consents Planning – Pre-app and Permissions Team
- Fixed Term 12 Months | Full Time
Kaunihera Taiao ki Waitaha │ About Environment Canterbury
As a regional council, we are responsible for managing natural resources including air, soil, water and land. We work in partnership with mana whenua Ngāi Tahu to protect the health of our environment to ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for our region.
The region’s evolving environmental and political context means we will continue to be agile and adaptive, as we respond to regulatory and environmental changes.
Our mahi (work) is organised around the delivery of our three core services:
- Environmental Regulation and Protection
- Community Preparedness and Response to Hazards
- Public Transport
Kōrero mō te Tūranga | About the Role
The Principal Consents Planner plays a critical role, providing technical and planning expertise and leadership within the Consents Section. You’ll support the development of team members by mentoring and coaching to build the capability of technical expertise across the Consents section, whilst remaining in a hands-on capacity.
You’ll have a working understanding of Māori Rights in the Resource Management Framework and a sound understanding/previous training in Te Tiritī o Waitangi and the obligations and requirements of local government to Te Tiriti.
More about the role:
- Make legally defensible decisions on applications for resource consent
- Train consent planners/team members on the delivery of best consenting outcomes
- Support the development of resource management plans
- Processing of complex consents
- Providing pre application advice
- Assessing applications against s88 of the Resource Management Act 1991
This is a fixed term of one-year full-time position, talk to us about flexible working options that work for you.
Mōu │ About You
Ideally, you’ll be tertiary qualified in, Planning, Natural Resources, Environmental Management, or other relevant discipline, and enjoy leading and developing others. You’ll be a strong communicator, someone that connects easily with the community, customers, members of your team, and key stakeholders. You’ll be a natural collaborator drawing people together and building trust as you guide and mentor.
More about you:
- Postgraduate qualification in Resource Management, Natural Science or Planning field is desirable
- Minimum of 10 years experience in a planning/resource management field
- Working understanding of Māori Rights in the Resource Management Framework
- Evidence of policy-making or decision-making with Rūnanga, Iwi, hapū, whānau
- An understanding of Māori from a pre and post-settlement context
- Extensive knowledge and experience working in relevant legislation relating to Local Government and the Resource Management Act or its replacement
- Environment Court experience is highly desirable
- Navigate and pivot to enable positive environmental outcomes
- Experience linking people, work, and processes
- Coaching, developing, and growing the capability of others
- Strong decision-making and analytical ability
If you're excited about this opportunity but you feel your experience doesn’t align perfectly, we encourage your application. Please call Nadja McLean on +64 27 379 6574 for a confidential discussion.
Ngā hua o te Mahi i te Kaunihera Taiao ki Waitaha | Working at Environment Canterbury
Our mahi is underpinned by our values:
- Kaitiakitanga (stewardship)
- Pononga (integrity)
- Manaakitanga (people first)
- Whanaungatanga (collaboration)
- Māiatanga (can 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
Ko ētahi atu kōrero | Additional Information
Applications close on Sunday, 1 June. Applications will be reviewed as we receive them, and interviews may take place before the close date. We reserve the right to close 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.
We are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. If you're excited about this role but don't meet every qualification in the job description, we still encourage you to apply.
Me mahi tahi tātou - Together we can
