Biosecurity Delivery Lead - Wallaby Programme

Job Type: Permanent | Full Time

Location: Timaru (TIM)

Job Category: Environmental Services

• Lead delivery of a nationally significant biosecurity programme
• Balance strategic leadership, stakeholder engagement and operational delivery
• Help protect Canterbury's environment while creating lasting impact

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 is an exciting opportunity to lead the South Canterbury delivery of a nationally significant environmental programme and play a key role in achieving long-term biosecurity outcomes for Canterbury and New Zealand.

As Delivery Lead, you'll oversee the planning and delivery of wallaby control operations across the region, leading programme implementation, stakeholder engagement, contract management, health and safety, and financial performance. Working closely with the National Wallaby Eradication Programme team, you'll ensure operations are delivered safely, effectively, and in line with legislative and funding requirements.

You will also provide leadership to kaimahi and contractors, manage programme risks, represent Environment Canterbury with partners and communities, and contribute to regional and national decision-making.

As a Delivery Lead You Will

• Design, develop and deliver operational plans in partnership with the National Wallaby Eradication Programme team collaborating with MPI.
• Lead the end-to-end delivery of wallaby control operations across the South Canterbury region.
• Manage programme budgets, contracts, contractors, risks, and health and safety performance.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with landholders, iwi, community groups, contractors, government agencies and programme partners.
• Provide leadership, coaching and support to staff involved in programme delivery.
• Represent Environment Canterbury in stakeholder forums and provide programme reporting to governance groups and key partners.
• Support community-led initiatives and enforce Regional Pest Management Plan requirements where necessary.
• Help Canterbury achieve its wallaby control objectives under the Canterbury Regional Pest Management Plan.

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

Mōu │ About You

Along with the skills above, you’ll bring proven experience in vertebrate pest management and project delivery. You’ll have a genuine passion for environmental outcomes, be physically fit, and thrive on a challenge.

Highly self-motivated, you’re a careful and meticulous planner with demonstrated leadership capability. You communicate clearly and confidently, whether that’s around a farm table or presenting to larger groups, and you’re comfortable building strong working relationships at all levels.

Mātau ā-Wheako | Experience

Our Ideal Candidate Will Have

• Proven experience in project management and contract/contractor management
• Tertiary qualification in environmental science, biosecurity, or similar
• At least 8 years practical experience in vertebrate pest control
• Experience delivering programmes including compliance requirements
• Experience using the full Microsoft package and GIS
• A full 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

For a confidential chat about this role, please contact Rich Langley on 027 420 2407.

Applications close on Wednesday 15 July. 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.

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