Specialist Senior Freshwater Ecologist
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Specialist Senior Freshwater Ecologist
He angitūtanga: The opportunity
This is a rare opportunity to join a small team of specialist technical professionals, guiding staff across the Specialist Unit and the wider Resource Consents Department that will be influenced by your expert knowledge in this field. You will be part of the Earth, Streams and Trees team which is highly regarded and who are involved in a wide range of development projects, including major subdivisions and nationally significant infrastructure projects. We cover the entire Auckland region and are passionate about protecting our freshwater environment and managing sedimentation from urbanisation to help protect the health and well-being of Aucklanders and the wider Auckland environment.
We are seeking an industry expert and highly skilled freshwater ecologist, with a proven capability in negotiation and influencing skills. You’ll be working with a wide range of customers across the region, assessing and providing specialist technical freshwater ecological input around managing the effects of works in and around freshwater bodies (lakes, rivers, streams, and wetlands). This includes input for our resource consenting teams as well as assisting our colleagues in the monitoring and compliance teams, influencing policy, and designing and providing training to Regulatory Services (planners, compliance staff and development engineers).
He kōrero mōu: About you
Working in a dynamic team environment, this role is varied and motivating with an ability to make a real impact on the environment and be involved in a diverse range of stimulating and challenging multidisciplinary projects. This role would suit a freshwater ecologist, or similar who is keen to apply their skills to assessing the range of potential environmental impacts of development on the freshwater environment. You will be expected to work with applicants and planners to seek the best practical environmental outcomes using a proactive and solution-driven approach. You must be competent in critically evaluating complex proposals in consent applications. You are also looking to broaden your experience and enhance your environmental awareness of the Auckland region’s environment. While an understanding of sedimentation processes is desirable, an understanding of freshwater ecology will be essential.
- To be successful in this role you will need a tertiary qualification in freshwater ecology, environmental science, or a discipline related to environmental land management
- You have at least 5 or more year’s related experience undertaking environmental and/or ecological assessments, preferably within a planning context
- An understanding of stream and wetland ecology, as well as management of land disturbing activities and the associated direct, indirect, and cumulative effects on the freshwater environment, and the methods available to avoid, remedy, or mitigate these effects is essential
- Experience within the resource consents process and/or familiarity with the Auckland Unitary Plan (Operative in Part) is also desirable.
Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou: What we offer
Our Resource Consents unit processes more than 17,000 consents annually and facilitates a wide range of development projects, from major subdivisions and nationally significant infrastructure projects to houses, apartment buildings and shopping centres. You will be working for an organisation that embraces flexible working; we can offer Work from home days and flexible hours to suit your lifestyle. We offer a competitive salary, and varied learning and career progression opportunities across the wider Council group. You’ll be joining a team of dedicated and respected experts working collaboratively across the region to contribute to Auckland’s growth and development. We are committed to diversity, have a culture built on trust and valuing individual contributions, and are driven to provide the right outcomes for our customers and our environment.
If you are passionate about building a brighter future for Auckland, please apply today!
Applications close on 24th July 21. However, please note that early applications are encouraged as interviews will be conducted as and when applications are received – so apply now to avoid disappointment.
Auckland Council is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) and we are committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of application to assist you through the recruitment process.
Applications close: 24 July 2021