Forester

Environment Canterbury; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Environment Canterbury seeks a forestry leader to manage its forest estate from planting to harvest. You will balance commercial outcomes with biodiversity, recreation, and river protection, and develop a long-term sustainable management plan.

You will lead a small team, oversee emissions reporting, and explore offsetting opportunities to align with organisational goals. Based at kainga with office and site work.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Forestry Science; five+ years managing forests and operations.
• Experience in specifications, job briefs, tenders and contract documents.

Responsibilities

• Lead management of Environment Canterbury's forest estate from planting through harvest.
• Develop and deliver a long-term sustainable forest management plan.
• Protect and enhance biodiversity, recreation, amenity and river protection values.
• Manage Emissions Trading Scheme obligations and carbon reporting.
• Identify opportunities for emissions offsetting and alternative revenue streams.
• Lead and support a small team to deliver forestry outcomes.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder engagement

Leadership

Budget management

Contract supervision

Driver's license

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Forestry Science

Tools

GIS

Emissions Trading Scheme

Job description

Job Type: Permanent | Full Time. Location: Kainga.

Waitaha | About Environment Canterbury

• Grow your Forestry career by joining Environment Canterbury
• Work outdoors managing the protection of three Regional Parks and over 2800ha of forest
• Contribute to work that matters, within in strong team culture

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

This is a unique opportunity to lead the sustainable management of Environment Canterbury's forest estate during a period of growth, change and development. Leading a small, high-performing team, you'll be responsible for the full forest management cycle, from establishment and silviculture through to harvesting.

You’ll balance commercial outcomes with the protection and enhancement of biodiversity, recreation and river protection values, ensuring our forests continue to deliver long‑term benefits for both communities and the environment. A key focus of the role will be developing and implementing a long‑term sustainable forest management plan that maximises value while protecting the wider environmental, amenity and flood protection outcomes our forests provide.

Key Responsibilities Include

• Lead the management of Environment Canterbury's forest estate from planting through to harvest.
• Develop and deliver a long-term sustainable forest management plan.
• Protect and enhance biodiversity, recreation, amenity and river protection values.
• Manage the organisation's Emissions Trading Scheme obligations and carbon reporting.
• Identify opportunities for emissions offsetting and alternative revenue streams that support organisational goals.
• Lead and support a small team to deliver strategic and operational forestry outcomes.

Mōu | About You

You're an experienced forestry professional who combines strategic thinking with strong operational delivery. You have a genuine passion for sustainable land management and can balance commercial outcomes with environmental stewardship. With excellent relationship‑building skills, you're comfortable working with contractors, iwi partners, community stakeholders and internal teams to achieve shared outcomes.

This role is a blend of office and site locations, requiring confidence and physical capability to work in forests, on hill slopes, and around waterways. Site locations span from Kaikōura to Orari, so occasional long‑distance travel will be part of the role.

Mātau ā‑Wheako | Experience

Experience in commercial forestry management, strategic planning, contract supervision, budget management, carbon accounting and stakeholder engagement will position you well for success in this role. Experience working within complex regulatory environments and delivering long‑term environmental outcomes will be highly regarded.

You’ll Have a Bachelor's Degree In Forestry Science With At Least Five Years' Experience Managing Forests And Forestry Operations Along With

• Proven experience in specifications, job briefs, tenders and contract documents, preparation of policies and high‑level and detailed plans, contract supervision in land or forest management, asset management, facilitating meeting or discussion groups
• Knowledge of GIS, forest data management, budget/financial management, native afforestation, and the Emissions Trading Scheme
• Experience in contract and contractor management
• Strong financial management, stakeholder engagement and leadership capability
• A current valid driver's license is essential. Classes 2 & 4 are desirable but not 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

Applications close on Wednesday, 16 September.

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.

Me mahi tahi tātou - Together we can

Job Description

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