• Coordinate schedules, meetings, and key business activities
• Join an organisation making a difference for our environment
• Flexible, supportive workplace with learning 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

Council plays an important role in responding to national legislation and policy changes – this mahi is part of our operating environment and is embedded in our everyday mahi. The current proposals from central government are significant, and Council is working through the opportunities and implications. However, our mahi must continue to deliver our three core services for our partners, communities and te taiao (environment).

Kōrero mō te Tūranga | About the Role

This key role provides high-quality administrative and operational support to two Senior Leaders in the Strategy and Planning Section, helping them manage competing priorities and coordinate key activities. You’ll enjoy being the trusted go-to person and play a critical role behind the scenes, ensuring workflows run smoothly, information is well managed, and leaders are prepared to make informed decisions.

Key responsibilities include:

• Managing complex diaries, inboxes, meetings, and travel arrangements
• Preparing correspondence, reports, presentations, and briefing material
• Coordinating meetings, agendas, minutes, and follow-up actions
• Supporting recruitment, onboarding, and business administration activities
• Building positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders

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 proactive and highly organised professional who enjoys bringing structure to busy environments. You have excellent judgement, strong attention to detail, and the ability to manage sensitive information with professionalism and discretion. Most importantly, you'll enjoy working collaboratively with a wide range of people while providing exceptional support to senior leaders.

Mātau ā-Wheako | Experience  

Ideally, you’ll have a relevant business administration qualification or the equivalent experience with at least three years' experience in a Personal Assistant, Executive Assistant, or similar business support position along with:

• Experience supporting a people leader or senior manager in a Personal Assistant, Executive Assistant, or business support role
• Outstanding organisational and time management skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Confidence managing multiple priorities and changing demands
• Advanced Microsoft Office skills and the ability to learn new systems quickly
• Strong document preparation, administration, and record management skills
• The ability to work with discretion, professionalism, and political awareness

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

Apply directly by completing the online application form and submitting your CV and cover letter. Applications close on Wednesday, 19 August and will be reviewed as they are received, so early applications are encouraged. Interviews may begin before the closing date, and we reserve the right to close the advertisement 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