Safety & Tactical Training Instructor

New Zealand Government Joba; Ōtara-Papatoetoe; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangements

Job summary

New Zealand Customs Service | Te Mana Ārai o Aotearoa is seeking Safety and Tactical Training Instructors to deliver essential operational safety training for frontline capability, including Officer Safety and Defensive Tactics, Firearms Safe Handling, and Personal Search.

You will coach officers, contribute to lesson plans and assessments, ensure national consistency, and participate in cross-agency training discussions to enhance readiness across varying contexts.

Qualifications

• Experience with Safety, Defensive Tactics, Firearms Safe Handling or comparable safety critical training systems in an operational environment.
• Ability to interpret legislation, policy, and operational content and translate into training requirements.
• Skilled in developing structured training documentation, lesson plans, and evaluation summaries, including the use of digital tools.
• Proven relationship management and communication skills with diverse stakeholders, including operational staff and training colleagues.
• Proactive, self-motivated and adaptable with initiative to deliver OST training with minimal supervision.

Skills

Safety Tactics

Firearms Safe Handling

Training Documentation

Policy Interpretation

Stakeholder Communication

Job description

Make a real impact. Protect Aotearoa New Zealand. Build a career with purpose. If you’re looking for a role where your work directly strengthens New Zealand’s border protection, this is an opportunity to train officers in the skills, judgement, and safe tactical options required for real world operational demands.

About Customs | Mō mātou Customs

protects New Zealand’s borders, regulates international trade, and upholds Customs, Immigration, and Excise laws. We operate at the frontline of New Zealand’s security and economic wellbeing. Our people are at the heart of what we do. Whether working with travellers, businesses, or partner agencies, our people bring dedication, integrity, and a shared commitment to protecting what matters to New Zealand.

About the role

We’re recruiting Safety and Tactical Training Instructors to deliver the operational safety training that underpins Customs’ frontline capability. This includes Officer Safety and Defensive Tactics (OST), Firearms Safe Handling, Personal Search, and other safety critical programmes. You will coach officers in safe, proportionate, and legally compliant tactical responses, support national consistency in delivery standards, and contribute to the development of lesson plans, assessments, and training improvements. Your work ensures officers are prepared, capable, and ready to protect Aotearoa New Zealand every day. The role additionally represents the OST training function in organisational forums, operational reviews, policy development discussions, and cross agency working groups, providing expert input on training, safety, and operational readiness.

About you

• Experience with Safety, Defensive Tactics, Firearms Safe Handling or comparable safety critical training systems gained in a similar operational environment.
• Ability to interpret legislation, policy, and operational content and translate into training requirements.
• Skilled in developing structured training documentation, lesson plans, and evaluation summaries, including the use of digital tools.
• Proven relationship management and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate and negotiate with a diverse range of stakeholders, including operational staff and training colleagues.
• Proactive, self-motivated, and adaptable, with the initiative and reliability required to deliver OST training with minimal supervision across varying operational contexts.

To be considered for this position, you must:

• Be able to pass a fitness test, drug test, and medical.
• Have a full and unrestricted NZ driver's licence.
• Be able to obtain and maintain an organisational security clearance.
• Be able to work 'unpredictable hours' including outside of Monday – Friday, 9-5, and national travel including nights away from home.

Note: Permanent appointment is subject to successful completion of the Customs Defensive Tactics Instructors Course.

Working at Customs | Mahi ki te Mana Ārai o Aotearoa

We aim to create a great place to work, where our people feel they belong and have the capability and desire to meet future challenges. We are clear about our mission, which is underpinned by Te Pou Tokomanawa (the Foundations) and our Whanonga Pono (Values). Our work matters to the safety and success of New Zealand.

Working for New Zealand Customs…

To join Customs in any role you must be aNewZealand citizen orNewZealand permanent resident* and be able to obtain and maintain an Organisational Security clearance.(*) A New Zealand Citizen or New Zealand Permanent Resident who has resided continuously in NewZealand for the last five years, (including five years ago from the date of this application) and resides in NewZealand at time of application.

Please note Customs will be managing this recruitment independently in-house and will not be engaging with recruitment agencies at this stage.

New Zealand Customs Service | Te Mana Ārai o Aotearoa is a member of Diversity Works New Zealand and is committed to developing a diverse workforce and an inclusive workplace.We provide equal employment opportunities and welcome applications from everyone who can meet the requirements of the role. We also offer flexible working arrangements.

Applications close at 11pm, Wednesday 21 October 2026.