Safety Tactical Training Instructor

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

Job summary

The New Zealand Customs Service seeks a Safety & Tactical Training Instructor to provide specialist advice, coordinate OST, firearms safe handling, personal search, and rub-down training, and develop current curriculum and assessment tools. You will ensure national consistency and safety, conduct quality assurance of delivery and documentation, and support operational readiness across regions.

This is a full-time permanent role based at the Auckland Air Cargo Inspection Facility near Auckland

Qualifications

• Proven relationship management and communication skills.
• Experience with Safety, Defensive Tactics, Firearms Safe Handling or similar safety-critical training.
• Ability to interpret legislation, policy, and translate into training requirements.
• Skilled in developing structured training documentation and assessment tools.
• Committed to continuous learning and maintaining relevant qualifications.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist advice on OST, Firearms Safe Handling, Personal Search and RubDown procedures.
• Develop and maintain curriculum, lesson plans, assessment tools and training documentation.
• Ensure national consistency in delivery standards, safety protocols and instructional practice.
• Conduct quality assurance reviews of training delivery and documentation.
• Support operational readiness by ensuring officers are trained to apply lawful, safe, and proportionate tactical options.
• Represent OST training at organisational forums and cross-agency working groups.

Skills

Relationship management

Communication skills

Safety training

Defensive tactics

Firearms safe handling

Curriculum development

Quality assurance

Policy interpretation

Lesson planning

Digital tools

Job description

Help shape the capability and confidence of frontline officers in a role where expert training directly supports their safety and operational readiness.The Safety & Tactical Training Instructor position provides specialist advice, coordination, and quality assurance across Customs safetycritical instructional programmes, including Officer Safety & Defensive Tactics (OST), Firearms Safe Handling, Personal Search, Rub-Down and Health & Safety training. The role additionally supports design, governance, assurance, and continual improvement of these programmes to ensure they remain nationally consistent, legally compliant, operationally relevant, and fit for purpose.This role is a full-time permanent role based in our Auckland Air Cargo Inspection Facility out near the Auckland Airport.Key responsibilitiesProvide specialist advice on all tactical training subject areas, including OST, Firearms Safe Handling, Personal Search, and RubDown procedures.Develop and maintain relevant curriculum, frameworks, and associated lesson plans, assessment tools, and training documentation to ensure training remains accurate, lawful, and operationally relevant.Ensure national consistency in delivery standards, safety protocols, and instructional practice across instructors and regions.Conduct quality assurance reviews of training delivery, moderation, assessment outcomes, and documentation to maintain consistency and compliance, and identify risk and improvement opportunities.Support operational readiness by ensuring officers are trained to apply lawful, safe, and proportionate tactical options.Represent OST training function at organisational forums, operational reviews, policy development discussions, and crossagency working groups, providing expert input on training, safety, and operational readiness.About youProven relationship management and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate and negotiate with a diverse range of stakeholders, including operational staff and training colleagues.Experience with Safety, Defensive Tactics, Firearms Safe Handling or comparable safetycritical 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.Committed to continuous learning and maintaining relevant qualifications.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 licenceHave successfully passed the Customs Defensive Tactics Instructors CourseBe able to work 'unpredictable hours'.This includes working outside of usual working hours, working extended hours and national travel, including stays away from home.Be able to obtain and maintain an organisational security clearance.Working at Customs | Mahi ki te Mana Arai 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 CustomsTo join Customs in any role you must be a New Zealand citizen or New Zealand 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 New Zealand for the last five years, (including five years ago from the date of this application) and resides in New Zealand at time of application.If shortlisted, you will be asked to complete online psychometric testing as part of the process.To apply, please submit a CV and cover letter outlining your skills and experience, via our online process. If you have any queries about the role, please contact Hamish McLean (Team Leader Training Operations) at [e-mail] close at 11pm, Wednesday 21 October 2026.Please note Customs will be managing this recruitment independently in-house and will not be engaging with recruitment agencies at this stage.Please apply directly online as we do not accept applications sent to email addresses.New Zealand Customs Service | Te Mana Arai 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.