• Be part of a collaborative, multi-agency environment at the Canterbury CDEM Group
• Partner with iwi & agencies to build a safer, resilient region
• Enjoy a leadership role that blends strategy, community engagement & cultural partnership

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 Canterbury CDEM Group Office currently has seventeen staff across four portfolios. The staff all work together to achieve the outcomes of the CDEM Group Plan and Group work programme so the ability to support staff, who report to you, to work across the portfolios is important. You will have a leadership role in the Emergency Coordination Centre when it is activated. As Team Leader – Risk Reduction and Resilience you will lead four team members with the responsibilities of:

• The Group Welfare Manager who leads and coordinates CDEM Welfare across the region
• The Community Resilience Advisor supports our Councils and Partner Agencies with building community resilience to emergencies
• The Resilience Planning Advisor who develops and maintains the CDEM Groups strategic plans, and
• The CDEM Project Coordination who ensures CDEM Group projects are managed and delivered effectively.

For more information on this role, please refer to the job description at the bottom of the advert.

Mōu │ About You

You’ll be a confident and collaborative leader with a strong background in emergency management, communications, and community engagement. You’ll  enjoy working in a dynamic environment, bringing strategic thinking and empathy to every challenge. You'll strengthen resilience and welfare outcomes, mentor others, foster partnerships, and navigate complex multi-agency environments with confidence. If you value cultural inclusivity, understand the importance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and are committed to working alongside iwi and communities to create safer, more prepared futures then we would like to hear from you.

To enjoy this role, you’ll:

• Be a skilled collaborator who thrives in multi-agency environments and values partnership with iwi, local authorities, and emergency services.
• Be a proactive mentor and communicator who can inspire and guide others, while confidently navigating complex challenges and emerging risks.
• Be culturally aware and inclusive, with a commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the aspirations of Ngāi Tahu, and an openness to co-design and partnership approaches.
• Be resilient and adaptable, ready to lead during emergencies and contribute to a resilient, more prepared Canterbury. 

Mātau ā-Wheako | Experience  

We are looking for someone with a strong Emergency Management background, preferably with an Emergency Management tertiary qualification or related field. Your strengths should be in community development, communications, and Risk Reduction. You will need to have a proven track record of managing and leading a team and working collaboratively across teams.

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, 28 September.  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