Experienced Ecologist

Cato Bolam Consultants; New Zealand; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Subsidised health insurance

50% gym membership

Great Orewa location

Job summary

Cato Bolam is seeking an experienced Ecologist to join our Orewa team and lead ecological workstreams across urban, rural, subdivision and infrastructure projects in Auckland and Northland.

You will work with planners, engineers and other environmental professionals to identify constraints early, shape practical solutions and help deliver strong environmental and development outcomes. NZ-qualified ecologist with 5+ years is ideal.

Qualifications

• A relevant tertiary qualification in ecology, environmental science or a related discipline.
• Around five or more years of relevant ecology experience, ideally within New Zealand consulting or resource management.
• Strong freshwater and/or terrestrial ecology capability with experience in wetland/stream classification, fish passage or SEV assessments.
• High-quality technical report writing and clear verbal communication.
• Confidence building relationships with clients, councils and other consultants.
• Collaborative mindset with commercial awareness and balance of ecological integrity with practical outcomes.
• A full New Zealand driver's licence.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver ecological assessments and reporting for resource consent applications and environmental impact assessments.
• Undertake freshwater and terrestrial ecology work, including stream and wetland classification, fish passage and SEV assessments.
• Prepare bush, wetland and riparian restoration, enhancement and mitigation recommendations.
• Provide practical ecological input into urban and rural subdivision, infrastructure and environmental protection projects.
• Work directly with clients, councils and other consultants, communicating ecological issues clearly and constructively.
• Collaborate with our in-house planning, engineering, surveying and environmental teams to develop integrated project solutions.
• Identify ecological risks and opportunities early so they can positively influence project design, programme and outcomes.

Skills

Ecology experience

Client communication

Report writing

Team collaboration

Education

Tertiary qualification in ecology or environmental science

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 9th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

Interesting work. Real influence. Good people. Room to grow.

Want your ecology expertise to influence how development is actually designed and delivered?

At Cato Bolam, ecology is part of the project team from the outset. You will work alongside planners, engineers, surveyors and other environmental professionals to identify constraints early, shape practical solutions and help deliver strong environmental and development outcomes.

We are looking for an experienced Ecologist to join our Orewa team and take ownership of ecological workstreams across a varied portfolio of urban, rural, subdivision and infrastructure projects throughout Auckland and Northland.

The opportunity

This is a role for an ecologist who enjoys being involved in the whole project journey - from early site investigations and feasibility through resource consent, design development, mitigation, restoration and implementation.

• Lead and deliver ecological assessments and reporting for resource consent applications and environmental impact assessments.
• Undertake freshwater and terrestrial ecology work, including stream and wetland classification, fish passage and SEV assessments.
• Prepare bush, wetland and riparian restoration, enhancement and mitigation recommendations.
• Provide practical ecological input into urban and rural subdivision, infrastructure and environmental protection projects.
• Work directly with clients, councils and other consultants, communicating ecological issues clearly and constructively.
• Collaborate with our in-house planning, engineering, surveying and environmental teams to develop integrated project solutions.
• Identify ecological risks and opportunities early so they can positively influence project design, programme and outcomes.

About you

You are an experienced New Zealand ecologist who combines sound technical judgement with a practical, solutions-focused approach. You enjoy collaborating across disciplines and are comfortable engaging directly with clients, councils and project teams.

• A relevant tertiary qualification in ecology, environmental science or a related discipline; postgraduate qualifications are advantageous.
• Around five or more years of relevant ecology experience, ideally within New Zealand consulting or resource management.
• Strong freshwater and/or terrestrial ecology capability, with experience in several of the following: wetland and stream classification, fish passage, SEV assessments, herpetofauna, native plant identification, bush and wetland assessments, restoration and enhancement planning.
• High-quality technical report writing and clear verbal communication.
• Confidence building relationships with clients, councils and other consultants.
• A collaborative mindset, commercial awareness and the ability to balance ecological integrity with practical project outcomes.
• A full New Zealand driver's licence.

You do not need to tick every technical box. If you have strong core ecology capability, good judgement and the appetite to keep growing, we would still like to hear from you.

About Cato Bolam

For more than 50 years, Cato Bolam has been helping create great places across Auckland and Northland. Our in-house team brings together planning, surveying, civil engineering, architecture, landscape architecture, ecology, land contamination and project management expertise, allowing us to support projects from feasibility and consent through design, construction and delivery.

Our purpose is simple: Your vision. Our expertise. Creating Great Places. We listen carefully, understand what matters and work together to find creative, practical solutions that deliver successful outcomes for clients, communities and the environment.

What we offer

• A friendly, collaborative and flexible working environment.
• Competitive remuneration aligned with your experience and potential.
• Personal development planning, mentoring and support to grow your technical and leadership capability.
• The opportunity to work closely with experienced professionals across multiple disciplines.
• Subsidised employee health insurance and 50% paid gym membership.
• A great Orewa location, a short walk from the beach and local cafes.
• A team that values professional contribution, good relationships and enjoying work together.

Role details

Location: Orewa, North Auckland

Hours: Full-time. Preferred hours are 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday. Flexibility will be considered.