Principal Water Supply Modeller

Tauranga City Council; Tauranga; On-site; NZD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Five weeks leave

Career development

Team culture and wellbeing

Job summary

Tauranga City Council is seeking a Principal Water Supply Modeller to provide technical leadership across water supply modelling for Tauranga’s network. Based in Tauranga, you’ll join a strong City Waters Planning team and take ownership of modelling standards, turning complex outputs into actionable advice for investment decisions.

The role supports growth, resilience, and long‑term planning, offering collaboration with planning, operations, asset management, digital, and consultants.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (Civil) or equivalent.
• 10+ years of experience modelling complex water supply networks.
• Strong knowledge of hydraulic modelling, network performance, demand forecasting, calibration, and scenario planning.
• Experience translating modelling outputs into advice for planning and investment decisions.
• Ability to test data, assumptions, and model outputs, and communicate results clearly.

Responsibilities

• Provide principal‑level technical leadership for water supply hydraulic modelling.
• Lead complex network assessments to support growth, resilience, operations and long‑term investment decisions.
• Set modelling standards for model build, calibration, validation, scenario management, reporting and handover.
• Translate modelling outputs into clear advice for structure planning, development assessments, business cases, renewals and upgrades.
• Review data inputs, GIS, telemetry, field testing information and growth forecasts to improve confidence and decision quality.
• Mentor staff and consultants to strengthen internal modelling capability and consistency.

Skills

Communication

Collaboration

Leadership

Education

Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering

Job description

28 Oct 2026

Tau ake rā te moana nei, e papaki kau ana ki te ākau tangata, kakenga waka ka mauru te tohu ki te arearenga o Mauao, he pou herenga mōu, he pou hononga mōu, kia herea ki te tika, kia herea ki te pono. Kia mau, kia ita, kia ū – haumi e, hui e, tāiki e!

Te Tūranga | About the role

If you’re ready for a role where your modelling expertise has a direct line to decisions, investment planning, and long‑term outcomes for a growing city, this is a chance to take your next step in‑house with Tauranga City Council.

As our Principal Water Supply Modeller, you’ll provide technical leadership across water supply modelling for Tauranga’s network. You’ll help shape how we plan for growth, assess network performance, build resilience, and make investment decisions that support the city’s future.

Based in Tauranga, you’ll join a supportive and technically strong City Waters Planning team, working closely with planning, operations, asset management, digital, development engineering and consultant partners. This role offers the opportunity to take real ownership of the modelling space, set clear standards, and turn complex outputs into advice that helps drive real infrastructure decisions.

This could be a great next step if you enjoy the technical depth of modelling, but want stronger ownership of the network, closer relationships with decision‑makers, and the chance to contribute to a city where the impact of your work is visible.

You’ll Be Responsible For

• Providing principal‑level technical leadership for water supply hydraulic modelling.
• Leading complex network assessments that support growth, resilience, operational planning and long‑term investment decisions.
• Setting modelling standards for model build, calibration, validation, scenario management, reporting and handover.
• Telling modelling outputs into clear advice for structure planning, development assessments, business cases, renewals, upgrades and long‑term programmes.
• Reviewing assumptions, input data, GIS, telemetry, field testing information and growth forecasts to improve model confidence and decision quality.
• Mentoring staff and consultants to strengthen internal modelling capability and consistency of technical delivery.

Ngā Pukenga | What you’ll need to succeed

To Succeed In This Role, You’ll Bring

• A Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering, or another relevant tertiary qualification.
• At least 10 years’ experience modelling complex water supply networks.
• Strong technical knowledge of hydraulic modelling, network performance, demand forecasting, calibration, and scenario planning.
• Experience using modelling advice to support infrastructure planning, development, operations, resilience, and investment decisions.
• Confidence testing data, assumptions, model outputs, and technical recommendations.
• The ability to communicate complex technical information clearly to a range of audiences.
• A collaborative approach, with the ability to work well with planning, operations, asset management, digital, development engineering, consultants, and other internal customers.

Tō Tātou Kaunihera |About Tauranga City Council

At Tauranga City Council, our Waters Division plays a vital role in shaping the future of our city’s water infrastructure and services. Whether it’s managing stormwater, improving freshwater systems, or delivering innovative solutions for water supply and wastewater, our team is focused on protecting and enhancing Tauranga’s natural environment and community wellbeing.

We’re proud to be one of Tauranga’s largest employers, and we’re always looking for passionate, skilled professionals to join our collaborative and community‑focused team. In the Waters Division, you’ll be part of a group that values technical excellence, teamwork and making a real impact.

To Support Our People, We Offer

• Five weeks of annual leave
• Career development opportunities to help you achieve your professional goals
• A strong team culture where your contributions are valued and your wellbeing is supported

If you’re ready to help shape the future of water in Tauranga, we’d love to hear from you.

We’re committed to building a diverse team that reflects the communities we serve. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including those living with disabilities.

• You must have the legal right to live and work in New Zealand to apply for this role.
• Tauranga City Council does not accept unsolicited contact or applications from recruitment agencies. We will not pay fees or commissions related to unsolicited contact.

Job Description: Principal Water Supply Modeller