SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING SCIENTIST

October 25, 2024

Waikato Regional Council

Hamilton

OTHER & FULL TIME

Mō te tūranga | About the role
Are you interested in a great opportunity to be at the forefront of monitoring the health of Waikato rivers, streams and lakes? The team measure, analyse and report on the health of rivers, lakes and groundwater to meet council’s responsibilities under s35 of the RMA. The information collected is used by WRC scientists, and the government for managing peoples’ and the environments’ wellbeing. You will be based in Kirikiriroa Hamilton, but our sites cover the entire Waikato region. Your week will typically involve three days in the field, driving across the region sampling, and two days in the office.
The role (one of two senior roles in the team) is to ensure we maintain best practices in our monitoring and managing of data, this involves:

Mentoring and developing the junior environmental monitoring scientists, and new roles coming in 2026.
Leading and overseeing all aspects of water quality monitoring from data collection (lots of time in the field) to data processing and reporting.
Overseeing the contracting deliverables and liaising with laboratories.
Administering data management and quality assurance of water quality information.
Provision of information and advice to internal and external customers.
Project management for process improvements.
Supervising summer students, and updating & maintaining monitoring manuals and quality assurance methods and protocols.

Mō te tangata | About you

A strong aptitude for the environmental science and related fields.
IT literate and able to process and analyse data.
Able to undertake physically demanding work including moving and carrying heavy equipment.
Health & Safety oriented, whether working on your own, or as part of a team.
Our health and safety training also covers survival and rescue in swift water; therefore, you will need to be a capable swimmer (competency testing will be undertaken) .

Mō ngā pūkenga | Qualifications and experience

A tertiary qualification or degree in natural, physical, or environmental sciences or related discipline.
At least 5 years’ experience in environmental monitoring.
Boat skipper qualification – desirable.
Full drivers licence – comfortable driving utes.
Excellent communication skills – written and verbal.

Mō mātou | About us

The Waikato Regional Council has 160 long-term water quality sites. Come and be part of this dedicated team and add to the legacy of this 35-year dataset.
We work hard to care for the mighty Waikato, so current and future generations will benefit from a healthy environment, strong economy, and vibrant communities.
Our mahi is as diverse as the region we care for and the people who share it. Our work helps look after our region's water, soil, air, geothermal areas and coasts - so we can all enjoy these precious resources for generations to come.
Customers sit at the heart of everything we do, and all staff have an important role to play in the delivery of exceptional customer service.
If you’d like to understand more about what we do please click here The work we do | Waikato Regional Council.
By partnering with iwi and working with many others in our communities, our collective kaitiakitanga will make the Waikato region even better. Together, we’ll create a sustainable future that will make a positive difference to people’s lives.

Mō te tuku tono | How to apply

Applications will be reviewed as they come in, and this role will close on 10 November.
For a copy of the role description, please click here.
If you have any questions about the role, please contact human.resources@waikatoregion.govt.nz
To apply for this job, please click ‘apply’ and include your CV & cover letter with your application. Apply now!