Quarantine Officer

Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI)

Auckland

On-site

NZD 63,000 - 77,000

Full time

6 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Annual Wellness payment

Eye test and vision support

Reduced premiums for healthcare

Job summary

Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is seeking a Quarantine Officer in Auckland on a permanent full-time basis. The role involves protecting New Zealand from biosecurity risk at airports, ports, mail centres and cargo facilities, with a rotating roster that includes weekends.

Starting salary is $70,130 per annum, with a pathway for progression and benefits. You will join a diverse, mission-driven team and contribute to frontline biosecurity efforts across the country.

Qualifications

Citizen or permanent resident status required; full NZ driver license required.
Must pass Ishihara colour vision test to fulfil the role.
Willing to work a rotating roster including weekends.
Strong communication and computer literacy.

Responsibilities

Protect New Zealand from biosecurity risk at international airports, ports, mail centres and cargo facilities.
Lead frontline biosecurity clearance operations as part of MPI's Border Clearance Services.
Participate in the onboarding and evolving duties as part of a high‑performing team.

Job description

Job Description

Quarantine Officer

Role type: Permanent, full-time

Location: Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland)

Starting salary: $70,130 per annum

About The Role – Kōrero Mō Te Tūranga

Our Quarantine Officers are highly trained, every-day New Zealanders doing an extraordinary job for their country. We work to ensure that cargo and passengers entering New Zealand are free of biosecurity risk. Officers work on a rotational roster that offers them a breadth of work as they lead New Zealand's biosecurity system at the front line - international airports, ports, mail centres, and cargo facilities.

We are recruiting now for our next cohort of Quarantine Officers to start on 25 January 2027.

Quarantine Officers work varied shifts Monday to Sunday inclusive. Actual hours of work are specific to the roster and will include hours outside 6am to 6pm Monday to Sunday.

What the job offers – He aha te mahi e tuku

A programme that mixes both classroom theory and on-the-job training.
Clear career progression path from Officer to Senior to Chief for those prepared to put in extra effort with development and leadership opportunities to reach these goals.
Join a high-performing team that is passionate about their job, compelled to protect New Zealand and living MPI's values.
A great salary with benefits and allowances as you progress.
The chance to join to diverse and supportive team of officers across New Zealand.

About You – Mōu

We're looking for people with a real passion for protecting New Zealand's natural environment and primary industries, as well as aligning with our organisation's Treaty-grounded, strong cultural, and inclusive values.
You will be a self-motivated individual who is has demonstrated experience working across a range of tasks, worksites and varied work.
You enjoy working part of a large operational team and are someone that wants the team to be successful and actively steps in and helps when required without being asked.
You will need to be physically fit as you will be standing and moving for long periods of time
Working indoors and outdoors will appeal to you.
You will have strong communication skills (oral and written) and the ability to create strong relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.
You have a high level of computer literacy.
An interest, experience or qualification in agriculture, horticulture, forestry, botany, or environmental science.
You may have work experience in a life science or similar industry
You must hold a full NZ driver license

You do not need to meet all of the role requirements to apply (except holding a full NZ driver license and being a citizen or permanent resident). We offer a breadth of development and learning opportunities and will welcome an application if you think you could make a great fit.

You will need to pass the Ishihara colour vision test to be able to fulfil the requirements of this position***
Only New Zealand citizens or permanent residents can be considered for the position. If you are a New Zealand permanent resident, please upload a copy of your visa during the application process***
If successful in the application process, you must be able to attend the assessment centre on either 1, 2, or 3 December 2026 and if offered the position, you must be able to start on 25 January 2027***

About The Team – Mō Tō Mātou Rōpū

The Border Clearance Services directorate within the Biosecurity New Zealand branch helps protect New Zealand's natural environment, primary industries and people against exotic pests and diseases. It is accountable for ensuring the delivery of sustainable and effective frontline biosecurity clearance services at the border for imported goods, craft, mail, passengers, crew and transitional facilities.

About MPI – Mō Te Manatū Ahu Matua

We're a large organisation with massive scope from the frontline to policy development and beyond.

Benefits of working at MPI – Ngā hua o te mahi i te Manatū Ahu Matua

Annual Wellness payment.
Bi-annual paid eye test and contribution to the costs of corrective lenses/frames.
Reduced premiums for Group Healthcare Schemes.

Security checks – Ngā Taki Whakahaumaru

This roles require a New Zealand national security clearance. To be considered for this role, you must meet the eligibility criteria set out below.

CONFIDENTIAL national security clearance

You must be a NewZealand citizen, or hold a NewZealand permanent resident visa.
You must have a minimum five (5)‑year background history that can be verified and assessed by the NewZealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) to determine your suitability for a CONFIDENTIAL national security clearance.

Find out more about the national security vetting process here and access the eligibility self‑check tool here.

Drug and Alcohol Screening – Whakamātau Whakapōauau me te Waipiro

Please note, given this position is safety sensitive the preferred applicant/s for the position will be required to undergo a drug and alcohol pre-employment screening test. Further information on this process can be found on our careers site, here.

Are you ready to make a difference? – Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi whaitake?

We are committed to being a good partner under Te Tiriti o Waitangi which includes working closely with iwi, hapū, whānau and hāpori.

We aspire to reflect the diverse communities we serve, so we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, and identities. As an organisation, we are committed to making Manatū Ahu Matua Ministry for Primary Industries a great place to work for all.

In your cover letter we'd like to know about you, your values, your whakapapa; your interest and motivations for this role; the abilities, strengths, personal attributes and diverse perspectives you will bring to the role and this organisation, which may have also been gained outside of the workforce.

Applications close at 11:59pm on Sunday, 22 November.

If you have any questions about the role, please email shane.gooch@mpi.govt.nz

The application process will take approximately 10 minutes - please ensure you have the following documents ready to attach: