Senior Environmental Advisor

E ngā iwi, e ngā karangatanga huri noa i te motu, tēnei te mihi atu ki a koutou katoa. He īnoi tēnei ki a koe. Tono mai ki tētahi tūnga ki te Kaunihera o Ōtautahi

Join us in making a meaningful impact on the environment and our city’s future. As our Senior Environmental Advisor you’ll help ensure major projects are delivered with environmental integrity, innovation, and care.

About the team | Ko te rōpū nei

The Environmental Compliance & Advice team works closely with engineers, project managers, contractors, planners, and external agencies to ensure projects are delivered efficiently, safely, and sustainably. With a strong focus on continuous improvement, knowledge sharing and positive environmental outcomes, this is a team that values expertise, innovation, and practical solutions.

About the role | Ko te mahi nei

In this senior position, you’ll act as the trusted environmental expert across a diverse portfolio of capital works. You’ll influence decision-making from planning through to delivery, ensuring environmental risks are managed and best practice is embedded throughout.

Day to day, you will:

• Lead environmental management practices across construction and infrastructure projects
• Provide expert advice on environmental risks including erosion & sediment control, contaminated land, ecology, works in waterways, dewatering and heritage impacts
• Guide compliance with the Resource Management Act and associated legislation
• Review and evaluate contractor tender documentation
• Review and audit Environmental Management Plans (EMPs) and oversee contractor performance
• Manage environmental incidents, reporting, and continuous improvement initiatives

• Support consent applications in collaboration with internal planners and external consultants, helping to achieve practical and proportionate consent conditions.

• Build strong working relationships with contractors, consultants, iwi, regulators, and stakeholders

About you | Ko Koe Tēnei

You’re a seasoned environmental professional who enjoys working at both a strategic and operational level. You’re comfortable influencing stakeholders, navigating complexity, and balancing environmental outcomes with project delivery. You’ll bring:

• At least 10 years of experience in environmental management, ideally within construction or infrastructure
• A qualification in environmental science or a related field
• Strong knowledge of the Resource Management Act and planning frameworks
• The ability to assess environmental risks and provide clear, pragmatic advice
• Excellent communication skills, including report writing and stakeholder engagement
• Proven ability to coach and influence others

A collaborative mindset and strong relationship-building skills

What's in it for you? He aha ngā hua ki a koe?

Want to be involved in shaping your City? Here at the Council we know our strength comes from our people, working together as one team to create results. When you join us, you're getting involved first hand, and contributing to crafting the Christchurch community. You will also benefit from:

• Access to training programmes, workshops, and development opportunities
• Flexible working arrangements - WFH, adjustable start and finish times, option to purchase extra leave.
• Collaboration - exposure to wider areas of the organisation
• Benefits - a variety of benefits for Council staff from health schemes to retail discounts.

If this sounds like an interesting opportunity, you think you have what it takes and want to get involved in shaping our City then please apply today.

Additional Information | Ko ētahi atu kōrero:

At the Christchurch City Council, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways.

We understand that recruitment processes can be challenging. If you require any support or adjustments to help you put your best foot forward, please reach out to us at jobs@ccc.govt.nz

• Hours of work - 37.5 - 40 hours per week
• Position - Permanent, full-time
• Location - This position is primarily based at Te Hononga, Christchurch City Council Civic Offices - 53 Hereford Street
• Salary - The salary band for this position goes from $126,230 to $140,255 per annum based on a 40 hour week. Starting salaries will be based on knowledge, skills and experience the successful candidate brings to the role, and relativities both, within the immediate team and in the broader organisation for the same or similar roles.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and interviews may take place prior to the close date. This means we reserve the right to close a job ad before the advertised close date.