Senior Biodiversity Advisor

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:

Biodiversity is one of the four key focus areas in the Council’s Strategic Plan. We are working towards halting biodiversity decline and envisioning a new hope for biodiversity in Hawke’s Bay. The team is looking for a Senior Biodiversity Advisor to join the team to drive the delivery of the Priority Ecosystem and Protection and Enhancement Programmes.

As a Senior Biodiversity Advisor, you will not only provide technical advice on biodiversity operations to internal and external stakeholders, but you will also mentor and coach the Biodiversity Advisors to pass on your wealth of knowledge and support their growth. Your team leader will also look to you for guidance more specifically around the implementation of the biodiversity strategy for the Hawke’s Bay region in order to deliver our desired biodiversity outcomes.

Key accountabilities include:

• Working closely with the Catchment Management Lead Biodiversity to prioritise Biodiversity work programmes and coordinate their delivery.
• Looking for synergies and smarter ways of delivering these programmes utilising the skillsets of the Biodiversity Advisors to encourage engagement and growth.
• Report writing and presenting to council on specific Biodiversity programmes when required. 
• Leading and monitoring the fieldwork required for the range of projects you will support.
• Spending time out on the farm and in the community to deliver solutions and results where it matters.
• Coaching and mentoring the Biodiversity Advisors and supporting their day-to-day work.
• Developing and maintaining close relationships with stakeholders to facilitate programme delivery and the collective impact of our outcomes.

This role is based in our Napier office but may be required to travel within the region on occasion. 

About you | E pā ana ki a koe:

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council is looking for a positive-minded, physically fit candidate with technical expertise in biodiversity and ecology to assist with the delivery of several programmes aimed at protecting biodiversity for Hawkes Bay. 

Ideally you will also have:

• A Relevant bachelor’s degree or equivalent tertiary qualification – Biodiversity and/or Ecology focus
• A minimum of 3 years of experience in a similar role/relevant industry 
• Proven project management experience, preferably in in biodiversity related projects
• Experience working in a rural landscape and in one or more modes of on-farm transport (quad bike, side by side, motorbike and/or 4x4)
• Leadership, mentoring, or coaching experience with a willingness to share what you know, and
• Resilience, adaptability, and flexibility to keep up with the ever-changing nature of HBRC. 

The role may require variable hours to be worked and will often operate unsupervised. Applicants should put a high degree of importance on safe work practices and be familiar with the use of GPS devices.

For the right candidate this role will be exciting and dynamic with the possibility to make a real and positive contribution to not only the Biodiversity team but also the wider Hawke’s Bay region.

What we offer | Nga huanga mōu:

The salary range for this role 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 apply through Seek or send your CV and cover letter directly to recruitment@hbrc.govt.nz.

Applications close 30 June 2023. To view the job description please visit our website here.

Please note that we will be reviewing and shortlisting applicants as they come in. We encourage early applications as we may withdraw the advertising at any time.

8 June 2023

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