• Provide expert technical advice to landowners and colleagues
• Lead complex pest programmes and contribute to team leadership
• Enjoy autonomy and time outdoors in outstanding Central Canterbury locations

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

Our Central area team works across a diverse landscape from the Waimakariri River to the Rangitata River boundary.

As a Senior Biosecurity Officer, you’ll use your technical expertise to help deliver the Canterbury Regional Pest Management Plan (CRPMP). You’ll carry out core biosecurity functions – education, surveillance, pest control, investigations, and risk pathway management – while taking on greater autonomy, technical leadership, and strategic responsibilities.

In this role you will:

• Provide specialist advice on pest plants, pest animals, and risk pathway management
• Lead pest programmes, including planning, contractor oversight, budgeting, risk management, and reporting
• Prepare high‑level reports and advice to support decisions, shape programmes, and secure resourcing
• Represent the team in stakeholder, rūnanga, and interagency engagements, building strong partnerships
• Champion innovation by trialling new techniques and digital tools (e.g., GPS, GIS, mobile data capture)
• Support the Team Leader with prioritisation, mentoring, & capability building
• Collaborate across departments to enable integrated regional outcomes
• Model best practice in compliance, safety, and quality

This role has a strong focus on mentoring and developing others.

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

Mōu │ About You

You’ll be passionate about protecting the environment and have a deep technical understanding of Aotearoa’s pest species and modern pest management practices.

As a senior member of the team, you’re approachable, supportive, and skilled at building strong relationships with landowners, stakeholders and colleagues. You’ll be a capable coach and mentor who enjoys building team capability.

To thrive in this role, you’ll:

• Have proven experience leading complex operational programmes
• Be digitally savvy, comfortable using GPS, GIS, mobile data capture
• Have a high level of physical fitness and experience working in rugged terrain will serve you well
• Represent Council professionally as an authorised person under the Biosecurity Act 1993.

Mātau ā-Wheako | Experience  

You’ll preferably have a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject and proven experience in biosecurity, ecology, plant science, biology, pest management (if you can demonstrate an appropriate level of knowledge and skills gained in a similar role, this will be considered in lieu of tertiary qualifications). 

You’ll also have:

• A minimum of 5 years’ experience in a similar role
• A full class 1 driver’s license
• The ability to coordinate and deliver complex operational programmes
• Experience developing/mentoring staff
• Experience working collaboratively across teams and with external partners
• Experience in compliance or regulatory environments.
• GROWSAFE Certified Handler and/or Controlled Substance Licence.
• Proficiency with 2-wheel motorcycles and 4WD vehicles.
• Experience engaging with mana whenua or working with te ao Māori frameworks.
   

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 Wednesday 6 May 2026.  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.   If you would like to know more, please contact Johannes Welsch Johannes.welsch@ecan.govt.nz for a confidential conversation.

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