Environmental Specialist

Auckland Council; New Zealand; On-site; NZD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Auckland Council requires an Environmental Specialist to lead field-based freshwater quality monitoring across Auckland’s rivers, lakes, groundwater and coastal environments. The role emphasizes hands-on sampling, data collection and equipment maintenance in outdoor settings.

You will collect data in the field, ensure QA standards are met and contribute to long-term monitoring programmes while applying national protocols and maintaining accurate records. A full NZ driver licence is essential.

Qualifications

• Experience in freshwater water quality and ecology monitoring in the field.
• Ability to collect environmental samples and data outdoors.
• Understanding of sampling methods, monitoring protocols and QA requirements.
• Experience managing environmental data and maintaining accurate records.
• Current New Zealand full driver licence.

Responsibilities

• Collect freshwater samples and environmental data across Auckland rivers, lakes, groundwater and coastal areas.
• Undertake freshwater ecology monitoring (macroinvertebrates, fish).
• Follow national standards and programme protocols for monitoring and sampling.
• Complete quality assurance, data management and field records.
• Install, maintain and troubleshoot scientific monitoring equipment and sites.

Skills

Freshwater sampling

Field data collection

Environmental monitoring

Data management

Driver licence

Tools

Scientific monitoring equipment

Sensors & data logging

Job description

Do you have several years of experience in water quality and/or freshwater ecology monitoring and enjoy working outdoors? Join us in a hands-on field role where you’ll spend most of your week out across Auckland’s freshwater environments.

Auckland Council’s Environmental Evaluation and Monitoring Unit (EEMU) has an opportunity for an Environmental Specialist to join the Water Quality team.

This is a hands-on, field-based role focused on delivering long-term freshwater and water quality monitoring programmes across Tāmaki Makaurau.

You will spend most of your week in the field collecting freshwater samples and environmental data from Auckland’s rivers, streams, lakes, groundwater and coastal environments. You will also use, maintain and troubleshoot scientific monitoring equipment and ensure samples and data are collected to a high standard.

You could expect to work on:

• Collecting freshwater samples and environmental data from rivers, streams, lakes, groundwater and coastal areas across Auckland
• Undertake freshwater ecology (macroinvertebrates, stream ecological valuations and fish) monitoring.
• Following national standards and programme-specific protocols for freshwater monitoring and sampling
• Completing quality assurance, data management and accurate field records
• Installing, maintaining and troubleshooting scientific monitoring equipment and monitoring sites

This role requires practical experience in environmental monitoring, particularly freshwater quality and ecology monitoring. You will be comfortable working outdoors and spending most of your week undertaking fieldwork and sample collection.

We will be looking for specific experience with the key role requirements:

• Demonstrated experience in freshwater water quality and ecology monitoring
• Practical experience collecting environmental samples and data in the field
• Understanding of environmental sampling methods, monitoring protocols and quality assurance requirements
• Experience managing environmental data and maintaining accurate records, along with a current New Zealand full driver licence
• Experience using, maintaining and troubleshooting scientific monitoring equipment

Experience with continuous water quality monitoring sensors and continuous data processing is desirable.

We still encourage you to apply if you have some but not all these requirements.

Auckland Council is the largest local government council across Oceania, serving over 1.7 million people and contributing towards making Tāmaki Makaurau a world-class city.

We offer a range of employee benefits and proudly support flexible working options where possible.

View a snapshot of some of our employee benefits HERE .

Applications close: 11th September 2026, 11:59pm

Our employer Kiwisaver contribution is additional to base salary offered.

If you have any support or access requirements, please advise us when submitting your application so we can assist you.

#workingforauckland #aucklandcouncil #environment

The role is deemed safety-sensitive and will require a pre-employment drug and alcohol test prior to offer. A current full clean driver licence is essential and if successful you will be warranted by Auckland Council allowing you to enter premises and inspect breaches or offences.

Auckland Council is committed to protecting your privacy in accordance with the Privacy Act 2020. We collect personal information directly from you and, where relevant for the purpose of assessing you for employment, and employing you as part of the transport reform process, from third parties such as referees, previous employers (including Auckland Transport) recruitment agencies, and background checking providers.

By applying for this role, you consent to Council obtaining a reference from your current employer, including information about any active conduct investigations and current performance management processes, if you are the preferred candidate. Reference checks will only be undertaken at the preferred candidate stage. Any non-active performance or conduct matters may also be discussed with referees as part of the reference checking process.

If you do not consent to this information being provided, Council may be unable to properly assess your application, and your application will not progress further. If you wish to withhold your consent, or to access or correct your personal information, please contact the Privacy Officer at [emailprotected] .

Auckland Council is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) and we are committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of application to assist you through the recruitment process.