Fast Track Advisor

Department of Conservation (DOC); Wellington; Hybrid; NZD 81,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible location

Job summary

Department of Conservation (DOC) in Wellington (or flexible location by agreement) seeks a Fast Track Advisor to lead and shape fast-track applications, coordinating across DOC to deliver timely, evidence-based regulatory guidance that protects conservation values. You will draft clear reports and advise decision-makers on conservation impacts.

You will work across teams to manage small to medium-scale projects, build stakeholder relationships, and contribute to regulatory outputs while

Qualifications

• Experience providing clear, accurate and well-reasoned analysis and advice.
• Sound report writing skills and ability to tailor messaging to different audiences.
• Understanding of regulatory, legislative or consenting processes (conservation, fast-track, or similar).
• Ability to interpret policy and legislation and apply it in practical contexts.
• Experience managing small projects or coordinating workstreams.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to navigate competing interests or sensitive issues.
• Relationship management across teams and with external stakeholders.
• Good organisational skills with the ability to prioritise and deliver work to deadlines.
• Understanding or willingness to learn Māori tikanga and Te Tiriti o Waitangi in practice.

Responsibilities

• Lead and project manage small to medium-scale fast-track applications and workstreams.
• Coordinate inputs across DOC to support timely, consolidated responses.
• Analyse information and draft reports with conservation impact advice for decision-makers.
• Provide advice and support to regional operations staff on Fast Track Act matters.
• Support larger or more complex applications as required.
• Contribute to OIA responses and other regulatory outputs.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Represent DOC in your area of responsibility and present the DOC position clearly.
• Identify risks, escalate issues early, and contribute to solutions.
• Support a collaborative team environment and share knowledge.

Skills

Clear analysis and advice

Report writing

Regulatory understanding

Project coordination

Stakeholder management

Organisational prioritisation

Māori tikanga knowledge

Job description

• Contribute to nationally significant fast-track consenting decisions impacting conservation outcomes
• Work across DOC to provide trusted, evidence-based regulatory advice
• Wellington (or flexible location by agreement)
• Salary range: $80,695- $110,000

Our vision: Nature is thriving in Aotearoa | Te Oranga o te Ao Tūroa.

This role sits within DOC’s Biodiversity, Heritage and Visitors Group as part of the Regulatory Systems Performance function. The team plays an important role in supporting effective delivery of fast-track consenting processes, providing high-quality advice on applications that impact conservation values across Aotearoa.

He angitūtanga | About the role

As a Fast Track Advisor, you will carry out specialist project assignments and provide clear, well-reasoned advice on fast-track applications. You’ll contribute to shaping DOC’s response to Fast-track applications, ensuring conservation priorities are well understood and effectively communicated.

The position will be focussed on:

• Leading and project managing small to medium-scale fast-track applications and workstreams
• Coordinating inputs across DOC to support timely, consolidated organisational responses
• Analysing information and drafting reports, including advice on conservation impacts for decision-makers
• Providing advice and support to regional operations staff on Fast Track Act mattersSupporting larger or more complex applications as required
• Contributing to OIA responses and other regulatory outputs
• Building and maintaining effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Representing DOC in your area of responsibility and ensuring DOC’s position is clearly presented
• Identifying risks, escalating issues early, and contributing to solutions
• Supporting a collaborative team environment, including sharing knowledge and reviewing work

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

We are seeking a capable advisor who can provide strong analysis and clear advice while managing competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.

If you have some of the following, we are keen to hear from you:

• Experience providing clear, accurate and well-reasoned analysis and advice
• Sound report writing skills and ability to tailor messaging to different audiences
• Understanding of regulatory, legislative or consenting processes (conservation, fast-track, or similar)
• Ability to interpret policy and legislation and apply it in practical contexts
• Experience managing small projects or coordinating workstreams
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to navigate competing interests or sensitive issues
• Relationship management skills, with the ability to work across teams and with external stakeholders
• Good organisational skills with the ability to prioritise and deliver work to deadlines
• Understanding or willingness to learn Māori tikanga and understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and how it relates to your work

Desirable:

• Familiarity with Fast-track legislation, conservation management systems, or the Official Information Act
• Knowledge of DOC’s structure and functions

He aha ngā pāinga mōu? | What’s in it for you?

DOC is committed to a culture where everyone can participate, thrive, and grow. We’re driven by our values and behaviours, and are working towards being an organisation that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive by default.

• We also support flexible working arrangements for our kaimahi across Aotearoa, with options considered based on the role and in discussion with your leader.

Salary: $80,695- $110,000, depending on skills and experience.

Eligibility: You must hold a valid NZ work visa that covers the duration of employment.

Please note, we are not engaging with recruitment agencies for this role.

Rå whakakapi | Applications close at 11:59 pm on Sunday, 20 September 2026. This advert may close early, so please apply promptly

Me he pātai anō, whakapā mai | For further enquiries, please contact Anna Basova, Recruitment Advisor, at [e-mail]