Catchment Management Lead - Biosecurity

Te Whakapakari Tahi I Tō tātau Taiao – Enhancing our environment together.

Our vision is a healthy environment and a resilient and prosperous community.

About The opportunity | Ko te āheinga:

We are looking for an experienced people manager to lead a high-performing team to deliver Hawke’s Bay Regional Council’s biosecurity objectives.

The biosecurity team delivers environmental, social, cultural, and human health outcomes that primarily involve delivering the Regional Pest Management Plan as well as providing leadership and advice on biosecurity related matters that connect with regional and national programmes and bring value to the Hawke’s Bay region. The biosecurity team works closely with the broader Catchment Operations section who oversee and coordinate Council’s catchment management, biosecurity, and biodiversity functions.

As well as managing a team of advisors and being a supportive leader that is passionate about building a cohesive and positive culture, you will work closely with your team in facing and overcoming biosecurity challenges, including delivery of programmes, engaging with land occupiers, undertaking enforcement action under the Biosecurity Act, managing health and safety risks, handling media enquiries, and professionally navigating political influences.

The key deliverables of this role include:

• Leading a team of highly skilled Biosecurity Advisors
• Ensuring the effective and efficient delivery of Biosecurity work programmes
• Working closely with the rural sector in managing biosecurity issues which impact them
• Being engaged and connected at a national level on Biosecurity matters
• Supporting staff to achieve positive communication and engagement with landowners, catchment communities, iwi, primary industries, and other stakeholders, including council staff, and
• Coaching and leading to a high standard to establish motivated and focused staff with a good team culture.
• Writing reports and presenting technical information to Council Committees, including the Biosecurity Operational Plan and Annual Report.

About you | E pā ana ki a koe:

This role will suit someone who is passionate about leading a team to deliver work to a high standard and is invested in the future of biosecurity for our beautiful region.

You will have proven people management experience and be a subject matter expert on the impact of pest plants and animals with a sound understanding of indigenous biodiversity, threats, management, and monitoring. The successful candidate will ideally also have experience working in or reporting to local or central government.

It is imperative that you have excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to navigate difficult conversations with a range of stakeholders.

Ideally you will also have:

• A relevant bachelor’s degree or equivalent tertiary qualification.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in a similar role/relevant industry
• Working knowledge of the Resource Management Act 1991, the Biosecurity Act and enforcement action process.
• Collaborative work practices to build strong working relationships.
• The ability to be innovative in your approach to problem-solving.
• Resilience, adaptability, and flexibility to keep up with the ever-changing nature of HBRC.

What we offer | Nga huanga mōu:

The salary range for this role is between $102,870 to $114,300 and will depend on the qualifications and experience of the successful candidate.

Other benefits of working for our team include limited income protection and life insurance, subsidised eye tests and lenses, flu vaccinations, and other well-being initiatives. HBRC also has a strong commitment to developing and upskilling people within a flexible and supportive working environment. To see a full list of our benefits please visit our website.

We value diversity and as such we do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability status although applicants must have existing rights to work in New Zealand. HBRC is responsible for Civil Defence emergencies and as such, all staff may be called upon to support the response.

How to apply | I pēhea ki te whakauru:

Please submit your application through Seek or send a copy of your CV and cover letter directly to HR@hbrc.govt.nz. 

Applications close 17 February 2023.

To view the job description please visit our website here.

About us | E pā ki a mātou:

At Hawke’s Bay Regional Council our purpose is to work with our community to protect and manage the region’s precious taonga of rivers, lakes, soils, air, coast and biodiversity for health, wellbeing and connectivity. Our organisation is diverse, and our work is varied. Our structure comprises of six key business units; Corporate Services, Integrated Catchment Management, Asset Management, Māori Partnerships, Policy & Regulation, and the Executive Advisory Group which also consists of the Civil Defence and Emergency Management.

We focus on prioritising:

Te kounga o te wai, te haumarutanga me te mārohirohi ā-āhuarangi o te whakamarutanga | Water quality, safety and climate-resilient security.  

Kia koi, kia toitū hoki te whakamahinga o te whenua | Climate-smart and sustainable land use. 

Kia ora, kia āhei, kia mārohirohi ā-āhuarangi hoki te rerenga rauropi | Healthy, functioning and climate-resilient biodiversity. 

Kia toitū, kia mārohirohi ā-āhuarangi hoki ngā ratonga me ngā hanganga ā-whare | Sustainable and climate-resilient services and infrastructure. 

20 January 2023

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