Head of Environmental Services & Community Resilience

Nelson City Council; Nelson; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Wellbeing leave

Health insurance

Generous leave

Professional development

Employee discounts

Nature access

Job summary

Nelson City Council is seeking an experienced environmental leader to translate policy and science into practical, affordable action that strengthens community resilience and sustainable land use.

You will lead environmental programmes across monitoring, biodiversity, biosecurity, catchment management and the flood warning network, manage contracts and budgets, and build a high‑performing team focused on delivering value for public money.

Qualifications

• Proven people leadership skills and capability development.
• Strong knowledge across environmental monitoring, biodiversity, biosecurity or catchment management.
• Commercial and economic mindset for investing and delivering value for public money.
• Experience designing and managing evidence-based, well-scoped environmental work programmes.

Responsibilities

• Lead environmental services programmes across monitoring, biodiversity, biosecurity, sustainable land management and community resilience.
• Translate environmental strategy and policy into practical, well-sequenced work programmes.
• Establish and manage contracts and service arrangements with accountable partners.
• Oversee environmental monitoring programmes and use data to inform policy and investment decisions.
• Lead catchment and environmental programmes delivered in partnership with landowners, iwi and stakeholders.
• Manage field operations, budgets and financial performance across the function.
• Lead the delivery, performance and continuous improvement of the flood warning network.
• Build and lead a capable, high-performing team focused on pragmatic, evidence-based delivery.

Skills

People leadership

Environmental policy

Budget management

Contract management

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Environmental science / ecology / natural resource management

Job description

Nelson City Council is seeking an experienced environmental leader to translate policy and science into practical, affordable action that strengthens community resilience and sustainable land use.

You will lead environmental programmes across monitoring, biodiversity, biosecurity, catchment management and the flood warning network, manage contracts and budgets, and build a high‑performing team focused on delivering value for public money.