At the Otago Regional Council (ORC), our mission is to protect and enhance the environment and enable our communities to do the same. To be sure we can deliver on our responsibilities, we are evolving as an organisation, and we're not overstating when we say we have some really big targets to reach. We need the right people, in the right roles, to help us to get there.

We think Otago's a pretty special place. It covers a vast area - the third largest local government region in New Zealand. Those who call Otago home enjoy access to mountains, coastal lowlands, dramatic rivers and wild beaches. Our environment here is part of who we are, and at ORC, we work each day to look after it.

The Opportunity

We are looking for a Senior Environmental Officer to join our Compliance Monitoring team on a full time (37.5 hours per week), permanent basis in our busy Dunedin office. The purpose of the role is to provide professional, legally and technically sound services for the Council. The role focuses on Environmental Regulatory Monitoring under the Resource Management Act and other legislation the Otago Regional Council is responsible for.

This role has a mixture of field work and office-based tasks and focuses on completing compliance inspections of consented and permitted activities. A Senior Environmental Officer will identify resource management issues, assess compliance with resource consent conditions, assist with incident response when required, and provide education to the public. A Senior Environmental Officer would also be responsible for leading site visits and for supporting or training junior staff.

As part of the role, you will also be expected to take part in the ORC 24/7 Pollution Hotline service.

As a Senior Environmental Officer, you will be responsible for:

• Undertaking auditing and assessing compliance with resource consents and permitted activities across Coastal Otago. The type of consent or activity is likely to be more complex than those assessed by a Junior Officer.
• Promoting compliance through the provision of sound advice and information to the public.
• Assisting Junior Officers to complete site inspections and providing support and training as required.
• Giving presentations to the public to aid in their understanding of, and compliance with, statutory responsibilities of the Council.
• Responding to pollution complaints and being part of the Pollution Hotline afterhours roster.
• Collaborating with other Environmental staff to develop and maintain processes for quality assurance checking as required.
• Providing support, coaching, and process improvement for the wider regulatory team.
• A flexible and adaptable approach, including the ability to work longer days in the field or travel within the region when required.

If you are interested in working to protect our environment in both proactive and meaningful ways, then this is the role for you!

About You

Our ideal candidate will have:

• Tertiary qualification in environmental sciences
• Strong regulatory or enforcement, and risk management experience
• Knowledge of the Resource Management Act 1991 or other relevant legislation.
• Leadership experience and/or mentoring of more junior staff
• Strong inter-personal skills and an ability to relate to a variety of people combined with a strong customer focus
• Experience working in related industries such as forestry, water treatment, rural, contaminated land, or earthworks

· A flexible and adaptable approach, including the ability to work longer days in the field or travel within the region when required

A full job description can be found here - Jul 2019 senior environmental officer pd.pdf

What we offer

We recognise and celebrate diversity within Team ORC and are committed to providing a work environment that supports inclusion and equal opportunities. We actively encourage applications from anyone who will live our values of MANA- We influence with respect and integrity, TIKA- We do the right thing and do things right and AROHA- We show that that we care, alongside us, regardless of their background.

To support our diverse and capable team, we're pleased to offer enhanced benefits such as:

• Flexible work opportunities
• Personal development opportunities
• Life Insurance
• Superannuation
• An annual wellbeing programme
• Competitive remuneration packages
• Development opportunities

Salary ranges from $86,851 to $102,177

How to Apply

If you meet the above criteria, we welcome your application, including your CV and cover letter outlining why you are the person for this role via the Apply button.

Please note. We don't always work to fixed closing dates and may start considering and interviewing candidates as their applications are received, so we encourage you to apply early.

At ORC, we value diversity, and the different strengths people bring. We can provide flexible recruitment options such as virtual interviews, online kōrero, or whānau-inclusive interviews. If you would like to have whānau support with you during your interview, just let us know—we welcome it!

Learn more about who we are — join our online whānau! Follow us onLinkedIn andFacebook to see what life at ORC is like.

All candidates require the right to work in New Zealand.

Applications close Tuesday 7 April 2026

For further information, please contact human.resources@orc.govt.nz