Coastal Management Advisor

Environment Canterbury; Lyttelton; On-site; NZD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Environment Canterbury in Lyttelton is seeking a Coastal Management Advisor to deliver integrated coastal management programmes that support sustainable use and protection of Canterbury's coastal environment.

You will work with consent holders, rūnanga, community groups, landowners, local and central government agencies to deliver environmental outcomes, promote best practice, and raise awareness of sustainable coastal use. This is a 12-month fixed term role covering parental leave.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification or equivalent experience in coastal or marine management.
• Experience with biodiversity, ecology or sustainability with a marine focus.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management.
• Ability to interpret legislation and communicate clearly.
• Project management experience across multiple programs.

Responsibilities

• Monitoring and auditing compliance with resource consents, regional plans and relevant legislation.
• Providing advice and guidance to coastal users, communities and stakeholders.
• Supporting marine biosecurity, biodiversity and coastal management projects.
• Building strong partnerships with Ngāi Tahu, rūnanga, community groups and industry stakeholders.
• Delivering community engagement initiatives that support behaviour change and environmental outcomes.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Coastal management

Environmental policy interpretation

Project coordination

Education

Tertiary qualification in resource management, marine science or related field

Job description

Job Type: Fixed Term | Full Time

Location: Lyttelton

Job Category: Environmental Services

• Deliver coastal management and marine biodiversity initiatives
• Work in partnership with Ngāi Tahu and local communities
• 12-month parental leave opportunity with meaningful impact

Kaunihera Taiao ki Waitaha │ About Environment Canterbury

As a regional council, we are responsible for managing natural resources including air, soil, water and land. We work in partnership with mana whenua Ngāi Tahu to protect the health of our environment to ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for our region. The region’s evolving environmental and political context means we will continue to be agile and adaptive, as we respond to regulatory and environmental changes. Our mahi (work) is organised around the delivery of our three core services:

• Environmental Regulation and Protection
• Community Preparedness and Response to Hazards
• Public Transport

Council plays an important role in responding to national legislation and policy changes – this mahi is part of our operating environment and is embedded in our everyday mahi. The current proposals from central government are significant, and Council is working through the opportunities and implications. However, our mahi must continue to deliver our three core services for our partners, communities and te taiao (environment).

Kōrero mō te Tūranga | About the Role

As our Coastal Management Advisor, you'll contribute to the delivery of integrated coastal management programmes that support sustainable use and protection of Canterbury's coastal environment. You'll work closely with consent holders, rūnanga, community groups, landowners, local and central government agencies, and a range of stakeholders to deliver environmental outcomes, promote best practice, and increase awareness of sustainable coastal use.

Key Responsibilities Include

• Monitoring and auditing compliance with resource consents, regional plans and relevant legislation
• Providing advice and guidance to coastal users, communities and stakeholders
• Supporting marine biosecurity, biodiversity and coastal management projects
• Building strong partnerships with Ngāi Tahu, rūnanga, community groups and industry stakeholders
• Delivering community engagement initiatives that support behaviour change and environmental outcomes

This is a 12 month fixed term role to cover parental leave.

For more information on this role, please refer to the job description at the bottom of the advert.

Mōu │ About You

You'll be a proactive relationship builder who is passionate about sustainable environmental management and enjoys working with diverse communities and stakeholders. Equally comfortable in the field and engaging with people, you'll bring sound technical knowledge, practical problem‑solving skills, and a commitment to achieving positive environmental outcomes through collaboration.

You Will Have

• A tertiary qualification in resource management, marine science or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience
• Experience in biodiversity, ecology, resource management or sustainability roles with a strong marine or coastal focus
• Strong stakeholder engagement, facilitation and relationship management skills
• The ability to interpret and communicate legislation, rules and best‑practice requirements clearly
• Project management experience and confidence working across multiple work programmes

Mātau ā-Wheako | Experience

Ideally, you'll have experience working with environmental legislation, coastal or marine management programmes, community engagement initiatives, and field‑based environmental monitoring. Experience working alongside iwi, local government, industry groups or environmental organisations will be highly regarded. A current full Class 1 driver's licence is essential.

Ngā hua o te Mahi i te Kaunihera Taiao ki Waitaha | Working at Environment Canterbury

Our Mahi Is Underpinned By Our Values

• Kaitiakitanga (stewardship)
• Pononga (integrity)
• Manaakitanga (people first)
• Whanaungatanga (collaboration)
• Māiatanga (can do)

We understand and embrace a diverse workforce; this diversity will enable us to better serve our people, our community, and our greatest taonga, the environment. We value everyone’s contribution, diverse thinking, and skills.

We're on a journey to become a treaty partner of excellence, including incorporating te ao Māori into our work. We offer supportive opportunities to develop capability in this area and encourage our people to use kaupapa Māori, mātauranga Māori, and te reo Māori in our daily work. We welcome you with an open heart & mind, wherever you are on your personal te ao Māori journey.

Ko ētahi atu kōrero | Additional Information

To be considered for this opportunity, candidates must have the legal right to work in New Zealand at the time of application and hold work rights that will enable them to fulfil the full term of employment.

Short‑listed candidates will be required to complete an interview process, reference checks, and a criminal check. Further background checking will be required when relevant to the role.

We are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace.