Introduction

Lead hydrology monitoring across South Canterbury's diverse landscapes
Join a science team driving evidence-based environmental decisions
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

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 leadership opportunity sits within our Science Group and is responsible for leading our Southern Hydrology Monitoring team. You'll oversee the collection, processing and management of high-quality hydrology data that supports environmental management, flood response, scientific research and decision-making across Canterbury.

As a people leader, you'll create an engaged, high-performing team culture while setting clear direction, developing your people, ensuring monitoring programmes are delivered safely, efficiently and to national standards. You'll work closely with science, planning, rivers, digital and Māori partnership teams to ensure monitoring data meets current and future organisational needs.

Key responsibilities include:

Leading, coaching and developing a team of field and technical staff delivering hydrology monitoring across South Canterbury
Leading the delivery of Southern hydrology monitoring programmes and operational work plans
Ensuring environmental data collection and quality assurance meets recognised standards
Translating the section's work programme into clear team-level plans, priorities and resourcing decisions
Working closely with the Hydrology North team leader to support delivery of the wider regional workplan, including flood warning system upgrades
Managing contracts, contractors and budgets for your programme of work
Building strong working relationships across Science, Digital Solutions, Rivers, and with mana whenua and the wider community Contributing to flood event response as requires

For more information on this role, please refer to the draft job description (it is currently being updated) at the bottom of the advert.

Mōu │ About You

You're an experienced environmental monitoring professional who combines strong technical expertise with excellent people leadership skills. With a proven track record as a people leader - you are someone who can build a high-performing, engaged team. You can navigate competing priorities and build trusted relationships across a wide range of stakeholders.

You'll bring a collaborative and pragmatic approach, coupled with a passion for high-quality environmental data and its role in supporting better outcomes for communities and the environment. You'll be comfortable operating strategically while still understanding the practical realities of field-based monitoring programmes.

You'll also bring:

Significant experience in environmental monitoring, preferably within hydrology or water resources
Proven leadership experience, including developing and motivating technical teams
Strong understanding of environmental data management, quality assurance and monitoring standards
Experience planning and delivering monitoring programmes, budgets and operational work plans
A collaborative, team-first approach, with a track record of building strong working relationships across teams and disciplines
Agility and flexibility, with the ability to adapt priorities and ways of working as the team's operating environment changes
A commitment to te ao Māori, partnership principles and working collaboratively with iwi and communities

Mātau ā-Wheako | Experience

To be successful in this role, you'll ideally have:

A bachelor's degree in a relevant scientific discipline or equivalent qualification and experience
At least 10 years' professional experience in environmental monitoring
Experience leading and/or mentoring teams
Knowledge of hydrology data, monitoring systems and environmental legislation
A full Class 1 driver's licence

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 30 September 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

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 in Timaru.  

Salary - The indictive salary range for role is $105,936 to $130,865 per annum depending on skills and experience. The specific salary will be discussed at interview stage.

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Environmental Monitoring Team Leader - Hydrology