STUDENT - FRESHWATER FISH ECOLOGIST

We are looking for

• Two enthusiastic graduates eager to spend the summer exploring our wai māori freshwater ecosystems and getting hands-on experience with our local fish species!

• This 6-month entry-level position plays a crucial role in Waikato Regional Council’s (WRC) State of the Environment (SoE) monitoring, aimed at collecting annual data on the ecological health of streams and rivers across the region.

• This a fantastic opportunity to develop a comprehensive set of environmental monitoring skills- from surveying remote sites to meticulous data management to ensure accurate and quality information is collected.

Mō te tangata | About you

• You are committed to the health of our taiao (environment) and want to learn more about how we manage it.

• You are interested in joining a dynamic team who actively work outdoors where no two days are the same.

• You have completed or currently pursuing a tertiary degree; or have relevant experience in the environmental field.

• You are physically fit and confident in tackling challenging terrain in, and around water.

• You prioritise safety in the outdoors, hold a full driver’s licence, and want to learn more about how we conduct high calibre environmental monitoring.

• You are available full-time from 9 November 2026 to 7 May 2027.

Mō te tūranga | About the role

You will be joining the Ecological Monitoring Team at Waikato Regional Council (WRC)- which means no two days will be the same. While you will be based in the Hamilton office, on most days you will find yourself heading into the field. Our stream sites meander through a range of landscapes, from pristine native bush to forestry and farmland. Within these diverse habitats, an incredible array of freshwater fish finds their home. You could be spotting redfin toitoi/bullies in Stony Bay Coromandel, coming up close with longfin tuna/eels in the Waipā, or searching for the rare shortjaw kōkopu deep within the Hunua Ranges forest.

You will be a member of the Freshwater Fish Field Monitoring Team who will:

• Get directly involved in freshwater fisheries research, utilizing electric fishing, netting, and eDNA techniques at ~70 diverse fish sites across the Waikato Region from December 2026 to April 2027

• Learn and apply animal handling and husbandry techniques for fish including capture, measuring, and safely releasing fish.

• Capture and process ecological data that is used at regional and national reporting levels ensuring precision in WRC and Earth Sciences New Zealand (ex-NIWA) databases.

• Have action-packed days and overnight excursions (accommodation and meals provided) in remote locations equipped with nets, waders, and monitoring gear, requiring a good level of fitness for active outdoor work.

• Demonstrate commitment to health and safety protocols, ensuring clear communication and team cohesion during field operations. WRC provides comprehensive training to enhance your skills and ensure a safe working environment.

• Make a tangible contribution to broader ecosystem health initiatives, with potential opportunities that include stream ecological health monitoring, water quality assessments in rivers, lakes, and coastal areas, and various fish research projects.

• Communicate with landowners and the public about the monitoring programme and coordinate site access.

• Manage and maintain field equipment.

Mō te tuku tono | How to apply

• Applications will be reviewed as they come in, and this role will close on Sunday 9 August 2026.

• If you have any questions about the role, please contact ***email_hidden***

• To apply for this job, please click ‘apply’ and include your CV & cover letter as a pdf.

• Apply now!