Contract Manager - Tradewaste

Nelson City Council; Nelson; Hybrid; NZD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Wellbeing leave

Fully subsidised health insurance

Hybrid working arrangements

Generous leave provisions

Learning and professional development

Employee benefits and discounts

Meaningful projects that shape our社区

Proximity to mountains, beaches and NP

Job summary

Nelson City Council is seeking a utilities professional to manage trade waste compliance, permits and projects. You’ll administer permits, support wastewater compliance, and collaborate with regulators, contractors and internal teams to meet statutory requirements.

You’ll bring strong knowledge of wastewater and stormwater systems, experience with permits and compliance, project/workload management, and solid communication skills.

Qualifications

• NZCE (Civil) or science or equivalent tertiary qualification.
• Full NZ driver licence.
• Experience in wastewater/utility regulation or similar infrastructure environment.
• Experience administering permits or resource consent processes.
• Experience monitoring compliance or responding to operational issues.

Responsibilities

• Lead the assessment, issue and ongoing management of trade waste permits.
• Oversee adherence to consent conditions and legislation.
• Manage investigations of trade waste discharges, system issues and operational risks.
• Coordinate corrective actions and respond to regulatory and public health enquiries.
• Maintain and improve databases, records and reporting systems to support transparent compliance management.
• Build effective relationships with Council teams, regulators, contractors and stakeholders.
• Identify improvements to monitoring programmes, compliance processes and operational practices.
• Participate in the after-hours response and SCADA alarm roster.

Skills

Wastewater knowledge

Stormwater knowledge

Regulatory compliance

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Data analysis

Communication skills

Education

NZCE (Civil) or science or equivalent

Tools

SCADA

Job description

We’re looking for a skilled utilities professional who can confidently manage trade waste compliance, permits and projects.

Shaping our future | Kōmiria te anamata

Shaping Our Future was built with the ideas and experience of our own people. Staff input shaped our Operating Model, and that model now guides our new structure: organised around our customers, clearer about who does what, and investing in the capability we need for the future. Part of that vision is a workplace where people feel they belong and have room to grow. If you’re looking to develop your career, use your skills in a new way, or help shape how we serve Whakatū Nelson, we encourage you to apply.

About Nelson City Council | E pā ana ki te Kaunihera o Whakatū

Our vision for Whakatū Nelson is a creative, prosperous and innovative city. Our community is inclusive, resilient, and connected – we care for each other and our environment.

About the role | Kō tēnei tūranga mahi

Bring your utilities experience to a role that plays an important part in managing Council’s trade waste activities and supporting wastewater compliance. You'll administer permits and support wastewater compliance. You’ll help ensure services meet statutory quality, public health and environmental requirements while working with internal teams, regulators, contractors and other stakeholders.

You will:

• Lead the assessment, issue and ongoing management of trade waste permits
• Oversee adherence to consent conditions and legislation
• Manage investigations of trade waste discharges, system issues and operational risks
• Coordinate corrective actions and respond to regulatory and public health enquiries
• Maintain and improve databases, records and reporting systems to support transparent compliance management
• Build effective relationships with Council teams, regulators, contractors and stakeholders
• Identify improvements to monitoring programmes, compliance processes and operational practices
• Participate in the after-hours response and SCADA alarm roster

About you | Ko ngā pūmanawa ō

You’ll bring sound technical knowledge, practical judgement and the ability to manage competing priorities in a regulated infrastructure environment. You’ll be comfortable analysing information, investigating issues and working collaboratively to achieve effective and sustainable outcomes.

You will have:

• Strong knowledge of wastewater and stormwater systems, including water quality principles
• An understanding of relevant water services, resource management and public health requirements
• Experience in water services, utilities or another regulated infrastructure environment
• Experience administering permits, trade waste or resource consent processes
• Experience monitoring compliance or responding to operational issues
• The ability to analyse data, identify risks and investigate incidents
• Proven project and workload management skills, with the ability to deliver within agreed timeframes and budgets
• Effective communication and stakeholder engagement skills
• An NZCE (Civil), science or similar tertiary qualification, or substantial relevant industry experience
• A full current New Zealand driver licence

What we offer | Ko ngā painga mōu

• Wellbeing leave, platforms and initiatives
• A fully subsidised health insurance scheme
• A flexible workplace including hybrid working arrangements to support work-life balance
• Generous leave provisions
• Learning and professional development opportunities
• Access to various employee benefits and discounts
• Opportunities to contribute to meaningful projects that shape our community's wellbeing and future
• Mountains, beaches and national parks at your doorstep

At Nelson City Council, we are committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where everyone feels safe, valued, and has a true sense of belonging. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including those from diverse ethnicities and cultures, LGBTQ+ communities, neurodivergent individuals, and people with disabilities. If you require any assistance with your application, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Applications close | Rā whakakapi

11pm, Thursday 6 November 2026

For further enquiries | Ina he pātai anō, whakapā mai

Please reach out to our People team on [e-mail]