• Newly created role leading large capital investment projects across the region
• Work for a values-driven organisation committed to te ao Māori
• Enjoy 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

This leadership role sits within the Rivers Section and is responsible for the planning, development, and delivery of capital and renewal projects that support flood protection, land drainage, and erosion control across Canterbury. This is a new role and fits within a team of Survey, Asset Management, Investigation and Design professionals reporting to the Chief Engineer.  

You’ll lead a team of technical experts, oversee investigations and design work, manage contractors, and ensure projects meet industry standards and community needs. You’ll also play a key role in fluvial monitoring and gravel management and contribute to strategic planning and reporting.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading infrastructure investigations and design projects
• Managing budgets, contracts, and contractor performance
• Overseeing fluvial monitoring and gravel strategy delivery
• Providing technical advice and reporting to stakeholders
• Coaching and developing a high-performing team of engineers and scientists

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

Mōu │ About You

You’re an experienced engineering professional with a strong background in river or civil infrastructure and a passion for leading people and projects. You bring strategic thinking, technical expertise, and a collaborative mindset to everything you do.

You’ll be confident engaging with mana whenua, stakeholders, and communities, and committed to supporting our journey as a Treaty partner of excellence.

Mātau ā-Wheako | Experience  

You’ll have a relevant engineering qualification (Bachelor level or higher) along with:

• At least 8 years’ experience in infrastructure or asset management
• Proven leadership experience in a technical or project environment
• Strong knowledge of river hydraulics and river behaviour
• Experience with contract and/or contractor management
• A commitment to te ao Māori and cultural capability development

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 Shaun McCracken 027 742 6693

Applications close on Sunday, 19 October.  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