Scientist Groundwater

About the Opportunity| Ko te āheinga:

Hawke's Bay Regional Council (HBRC) is offering an exciting opportunity for a Groundwater Scientist to join our Environmental Science section within the Integrated Catchment Management Group. In this role, you will provide technical expertise and strategic direction in the management of groundwater resources in the Hawke's Bay region, with a particular focus on the monitoring and management of groundwater quality. You will have the opportunity to engage in a diverse array of projects aimed at the sustainable management of the region's valuable water resources, collaborating with a skilled team of professionals. HBRC offers a supportive work environment, opportunities for professional development, and a competitive salary package.

About you| E pā ana ki a koe:

The ideal candidate will have a postgraduate qualification in hydrogeology, groundwater science, or a related field, along with a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in water resource management. Proficiency in statistical analysis, data management, and GIS software is essential. You will also possess excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage technical and non-technical audiences. Knowledge of legislation relevant to New Zealand, including an awareness of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and the ability to incorporate Māori perspectives into water management is highly valued.

Successful candidates will demonstrate:

• A strong background in water chemistry and an understanding of the fate and transport of contaminants in groundwater with a particular focus on phosphorus, nitrogen, and E. coli.  This includes expertise in assessing the risks these contaminants pose to both drinking water supplies and surface water environments.
• Experience designing groundwater monitoring networks to meet multi-objective problems such as detecting and monitoring changes over time, supporting surface water and groundwater models, and reporting on the state of the environment.
• Proficiency in developing and implementing comprehensive strategies for the effective detection and ongoing monitoring of environmental impacts caused by resource use.
• Proficiency in providing expert advice and recommendations on groundwater quality to senior management, government agencies, and policymakers.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate findings and present complex data clearly and effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Knowledge and experience in determining the age and origin of groundwater within wells, coupled with the capability to delineate capture zones and source protection areas effectively.
• Proven experience with programming such as, but not limited to, MODFLOW, R, Python, and FORTRAN languages for data manipulation, analysis, and statistical computing will be highly regarded.

What we offer | Nga huanga mōu

HBRC offers a supportive and collaborative work environment where your contributions will make a significant impact on our region’s future. We provide competitive remuneration, professional development opportunities, and the chance to be part of a dedicated team committed to making a difference.

 The salary range for this role is between $89,640 to $117,200 depending on your level of qualification and experience. If you believe you're an excellent candidate for this role but have reservations about the offered salary, we encourage you to reach out to us. We value open and transparent communication and are willing to discuss compensation further to ensure we find a mutually beneficial arrangement for the right individual. Our priority is to attract and retain top talent, and we're open to exploring options that align with your experience and expectations. Please don't hesitate to contact us for a friendly and confidential conversation about how we can make this opportunity work for you.

Other benefits of working for our team include:

• Flexible working options to support work/life balance
• 5 weeks annual leave after 3 years
• 4% superannuation after 3 years
• Life insurance and income protection
• Subsidised eye tests and lenses, flu vaccinations, and other well-being initiatives
• Strong commitment to developing and upskilling people within a supportive working environment.

See a full list of our staff benefits here .

As an equal-opportunity employer, we are dedicated to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment. We recognise that collaborative and innovative organisations depend on having a workforce made up from a diverse range of perspectives and experiences. We're all about excellence, and we encourage open communication – if you need any specific support, just let us know! Our main goal is to empower each person to share their unique talents to contribute to the outcomes for our community. This commitment ensures that our workplace is a dynamic and progressive space where everyone can flourish.

How to apply | I pēhea ki te whakauru:

If you are passionate about sustainable water management and want to contribute to the protection of Hawke's Bay's environment, we encourage you to apply.

Applications close on 16 May 2024, however, we will be shortlisting and interviewing appropriate candidates as applications are received. If you are interested in this position, please do not wait to apply as we may close the ad earlier than advertised.

View the full job description here.

Please apply via Seek.

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. 

19 April 2024

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