• Lead investigations to inform environmental decisions
• Work for a council committed to te ao Māori and sustainability
• Flexible working and professional development opportunities

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

As a Scientist – Groundwater Resources, you’ll contribute to the design of investigations, analyse and interpret environmental data and provide scientific advice that supports decision-making across the organisation. You’ll work closely with internal teams and external stakeholders, including Papatipu Rūnanga, to ensure our groundwater science is robust, accessible, and aligned with community needs.

Key responsibilities include:

• Providing technical advice on consents, compliance, and planning
• Interpreting data and producing reports for diverse audiences
• Contributing to, and reviewing, modelling and analysis
• Defining research questions and conducting investigations
• Collaborating with community groups and iwi partners

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

Mōu │ About You

You’re a passionate scientist with a strong background in groundwater or environmental science. You enjoy working collaboratively and communicating complex science in a way that’s clear and meaningful. You’re committed to continuous learning and value the opportunity to contribute to a kaupapa that supports both people and the environment.

Mātau ā-Wheako | Experience  

• A Master’s degree (or Bachelor’s with 5+ years’ experience) in a relevant field
• Proven ability to communicate science to community audiences
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• A current driver’s licence
• A collaborative, inclusive, and proactive approach

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

For a confidential chat about this role, please contact Dan Clark (027 2614841)

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.

Hours of work – Permanent full-time position - From time to time, as required, the role may require work outside of normal work hours for emergency and flood response and to represent Environment Canterbury at meetings and events with partners, other agencies, and the community. Location - This position is predominantly based at 200 Tuam Street, Christchurch   
Salary - The indictive salary range for role is $74,306 to $91,790 per annum depending on skills and experience. The specific salary will be discussed at interview stage.

Me mahi tahi tātou - Together we can