Permissions Advisor | Kaitohu Whakaaetanga

Department of Conservation; Dunedin; On-site; NZD 69,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Conservation is seeking a Permissions Advisor to manage approvals for activities on public conservation land and with protected wildlife. The role is a permanent, full-time position based in Christchurch, Dunedin, or Hokitika.

You will support pre-application discussions, assess applications, and write reports to inform final decisions. You will work in an inclusive team to deliver high-quality outputs and maintain strong relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Confident communicator who builds trust with others.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to translate analysis into professional reports.
• Capable of multitasking and applying organizing tools to manage time effectively.
• Understanding of relevant legislative processes or environmental planning knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Support the application process from pre-application discussions through assessment.
• Analyse applications and prepare reports for final decision.
• Collaborate in an inclusive, team-based process environment to ensure quality outputs.
• Provide professional advice and support to internal and external customers.

Skills

Strong communicator

Analytical skills

Time management

Legislative knowledge

Job description

Contribute to the regulatory management of Aotearoa New Zealand's natural resources'Provide quality advice and process applications related to commercial and recreational use of conservation land and protected wildlifePermanent, full-time role based in either Christchurch, Dunedin, or Hokitika

Our vision: Nature is thriving in Aotearoa | Te Oranga o te Ao Tūroa Mō te tūranga | About the role

Most activities on public conservation land, or in relation to protected wildlife, marine mammals or marine reserves, require approval from the Department. Our'Permissions team members, located in Service Centres in Christchurch, Dunedin and Hokitika, along with a further team in Hamilton, process these applications. We help to ensure that activities occurring on public conservation land are undertaken in a manner that protects the values of the land and complies with the legislation.

As a Permissions Advisor your key role will be supporting the application process relating to the management of'submitted'applications from having pre-application discussions, assessment, and analysis of the application through to'writing'reports for a final decision.

You will be collaborating with others in an inclusive team process environment to ensure professional and high-quality outputs.

You will be directly involved in building and'maintaining'relationships with a wide range of people, stakeholder groups and industries, providing professional advice and support to internal and external customers.

This permanent, full-time role can be based in either Christchurch, Dunedin, or Hokitika.

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

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

• a confident and able communicator (both written and verbal) who builds trust with others
• can demonstrate strong analytical skills and be able to transfer analysis into a professional quality report
• able to manage having multiple tasks on the go and apply organising tools to make the best use of your time
• have a sound understanding of the relevant legislative processes that we work under and/or an environmental management/planning background

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.

Applications close at 11:59 pm on Monday, 23 November 2026. This advert may close early, so please apply promptly.

Me he pātai anō, whakapā mai | For further enquiries about this role, please contact Christine Butler at [e-mail].

Tonoa inaiānei

Salary: $69,429-$88,181, depending on skills and experience.

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