Job Description
Full job description
Thriving together - mō te taiao, mō ngā tāngata.
Our environment and our people go hand-in-hand.
Are you passionate about freshwater and providing senior level technical advice?
Do you want to make a difference by mentoring staff and providing technical support to our council?
Love a good conceptual design and the implementation of specialist freshwater projects?
This role is key to our science success here at Toi Moana. You will be joining the Science team and will operate at a senior level and give effect to the Regional Council’s functions, plans, strategies, and policies. This will include developing and managing research and monitoring projects, the implementation and management of monitoring projects for state of the environment reporting, and providing specialist technical advice. The role will have a core focus on freshwater systems, which naturally has a crossover to working collaboratively with colleagues in estuarine environments.
Te āhuatunga a te tūranga | About the role
The role of Senior Scientist – Freshwater is challenging and varied with responsibilities that include:
Providing advanced specialist environmental, scientific and technical advice, for the effective management of the natural and physical resources within the Bay of Plenty region.
Presenting complex reports on technical environmental issues to the public, industry groups, public hearings, council, committees, staff and other stakeholders.
Coordinating consultant expertise as required to better understand and manage the regions water resources.
Collecting, analysing and maintaining data for regional and state of the environment reporting, environmental projects, and consent and compliance monitoring.
Reviewing and incorporating scientific developments in respective disciplines with the key focus being freshwater.
A particular focus on providing advice to our policy staff to support current system reform.
Ō pūmanawa | Your skills and experience
For this role you must have:
A minimum of a Masters Degree, preferably a PhD with specialisation in freshwater resources.
A minimum of 10 years’ relevant post qualification experience involving a wide range of environmental issues.
Expert knowledge in freshwater resources – understanding of water quality of lakes, rivers, estuarine environments, cyanobacteria and recreational bathing.
Preferably expert witness experience in Council Hearings, providing evidence, or cross examination in Environment Court, or Hearing Commissioner Training and familiar with Environment Court Practice note 2026.
Proficient in either R/Python, Excel, GIS, shiny apps, and statistical analytical tools.
Understanding of environmental monitoring programmes at a regional scale.
Experience with NPS- FM attributes and values and implications on policies, rules and system reform.
The ability to identify environmental issues, problems and formulate solutions and strategies associated with environmental investigations.
The ability to provide strategic planning to ensure future environmental investigations are undertaken and aligned with legislation and policies.
Preferably to have relevant sector professional memberships e.g. such as Certified Environmental Practitioner (CEnvP)/ Freshwater Science Society.
Experience in mentoring Environmental Scientists and collaboration on interdisciplinary projects.
Experience in engaging with local and national policy makers.
Council provides a flexible working policy, subject to the needs of the community and the team. While the role can be based in Tauranga, Whakatāne or Rotorua the staff member is expected to support office anchor days in both Tauranga and Whakatāne offices.
Ko wai mātou | Who we are
Toi Moana Bay of Plenty Regional Council is responsible for land, air and water as well as public transport and economic development. A major focus of our work involves looking after the environment. We manage the effects of people's use of freshwater, land, air and coastal water. However, we also have a broader responsibility with others for the economic, social and cultural well-being of the regional community.
We are a values-driven organisation, that really cares about our people. Who you are is important to us and we welcome diversity as an opportunity to grow our teams and are keen to support people of all gender identities, ages, ethnicities, ****** orientations, religions and abilities. We want Toi Moana to be a place where you bring your whole self to work.
Highlights of working with us include:
Varied and challenging work.
A supportive and collaborative work environment.
Flexibility with the way you work.
A competitive remuneration and leave package, including additional paid leave over Christmas/New Year
Employer paid life and income protection insurance.
Discounted health insurance.
Opportunities for growth, learning and development
There are flexible working options, subject to the needs of the community and the team. While the role can be based in Tauranga, Whakatāne or Rotorua the successful team member is expected to support office anchor days in both Tauranga and Whakatāne offices.
The salary for the role ranges from $124,677.15 to $146,664.33 per annum depending on skills and experience.
Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to Apply
Click APPLY NOW or contact Stacey Faire - Science Team Leader on + for a confidential discussion.
To access a copy of Te Tūranga Mahi (Job Description) please click on the following link or copy and paste it into your web browser: https://tinyurl.com/567vxf9n
NB: To apply for this job, you must have the legal right to be able to work in New Zealand and also a current, valid driver's licence. As this position is designated as being "safety sensitive", the successful candidate will be asked to undergo a pre-employment drug and alcohol check as part of the recruitment.
Applications close 5pm, Monday 13 October 2026 and will only be accepted online.
