Permissions Advisor | Kaitohu Whakaaetanga

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

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Job summary

Department of Conservation in Aotearoa New Zealand seeks a Permissions Advisor to support regulatory management of conservation land and wildlife applications. Based in Christchurch, Dunedin, or Hokitika, you will guide pre-application discussions, assess submissions, and draft reports for decisions, working with an inclusive team.

You will build relationships with diverse stakeholders and provide professional advice to internal and external customers while ensuring compliance with legislation

Qualifications

• Strong written and verbal communication, building trust with stakeholders.
• Sound analytical skills with ability to translate analysis into reports.
• Able to manage multiple tasks and use organizing tools effectively.
• Understanding of regulatory processes and environmental planning.

Responsibilities

• Support the application process from pre-application discussions to assessment and analysis.
• Prepare reports for final decision and collaborate in an inclusive team process.
• Build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Provide professional advice to internal and external customers on land use.

Skills

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Multitasking

Regulatory knowledge

Job description

Our vision

Nature is thriving in Aotearoa | Te Oranga o te Ao Tūroa Mō te tūranga

About the role

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 wildlife. Permanent, full-time role based in either Christchurch, Dunedin, or Hokitika.

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.

Skills and experience

• 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

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

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.

Closing date

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

Contact

For further enquiries about this role, please contact Christine Butler at [e-mail].