Senior Scientist - Climate and Environmental Impacts

Job Type: Permanent | Full Time

Location: Christchurch, New Zealand

Job Category: Biotech, R&D, Science

• Assess climate risks, impacts and adaptation opportunities to inform decisions
• Provide expert advice on climate impacts across water, land, ecosystems and communities
• Apply climate science expertise to solve complex environmental challenges

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

Kōrero mō te Tūranga | About the Role

Climate change is one of the most significant challenges facing Canterbury's environment, economy and communities. We are seeking an experienced climate scientist to join our Climate and Air Quality Science team and provide specialist expertise across the organisation.

In this role, you will assess and communicate climate change impacts, analyse climate data and projections, and translate complex science into practical advice that supports environmental management, adaptation planning, policy development and strategic decision-making.

Working collaboratively across scientific disciplines, you will help build understanding of how climate change affects Canterbury's water resources, land use, ecosystems and communities, while identifying emerging risks, opportunities and adaptation responses.

Key responsibilities

• Assess climate change risks, impacts and adaptation opportunities across Canterbury.
• Analyse and interpret climate data, projections and trends.
• Provide expert advice to support environmental and resource management decisions.
• Apply climate science to inform policy, planning and regulatory processes.
• Develop and communicate climate information for decision-makers, stakeholders and communities.
• Contribute to climate tools, products and information that improve the use of climate science.
• Identify emerging climate-related issues and opportunities relevant to Canterbury

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

Mōu │ About You

You are an experienced climate scientist with strong expertise in applying climate science to environmental and resource management challenges. You are comfortable working across disciplines, integrating complex information and translating technical findings into clear, practical advice that supports decision-making. You build strong relationships, communicate effectively with a wide range of audiences, and enjoy contributing to a collaborative team environment.

Mātau ā-Wheako | Experience

You’ll ideally have a Master’s degree or PhD in climate science, meteorology, hydrology, environmental science, or a related discipline, together with significant professional experience applying climate science to environmental and resource management.

You’ll Bring Demonstrated Expertise In

• Technical analysis, problem-solving and communication
• Leading complex scientific projects and investigations
• Global and New Zealand regional climate systems, modelling, projections and climate change impacts, including expertise in the influence of climate cycles on natural resources
• The application of future climate scenarios to assess impacts and management challenges
• Translating complex science into practical, evidence-based advice
• Collaborative approaches and building effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders
• Understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the ability to work effectively with Māori perspectives and knowledge systems

In Addition The Following Would Be Advantageous

• Experience with environmental data analysis, geospatial tools and data visualisation
• Experience developing or applying climate information products and tools
• Experience communicating scientific information to non-technical audiences and decision-makers

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 and 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 Angie Scott on 027 742 8033.

Applications close on Sunday 13 September. 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.

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 at 200 Tuam Street, Christchurch.

Salary - The indicative salary range for role is $105,936 - $130,863 per annum depending on skills and experience. The specific salary will be discussed at interview stage.

Me mahi tahi tātou - Together we can