Scientist - Freshwater Quality & Ecology

Hawke's Bay Regional Council; Napier; On-site; NZD 97,000 - 114,000; Full time

Job summary

The Hawke’s Bay Regional Council invites applications for a Scientist – Freshwater Quality and Ecology to join our Environmental Science team in Napier. This is a full-time, fixed-term opportunity based in Napier, providing parental leave cover until approximately January 2028.

You will plan and coordinate freshwater quality and aquatic ecology projects, contribute to environmental monitoring and reporting, and provide technical advice and scientific analysis to support regional planning.

Qualifications

• Tertiary environmental science degree with water-focused postgraduate qualification preferred.
• Experience in freshwater science, water quality or ecology.
• Experience designing and managing monitoring programmes and reporting.
• Strong analytical, organisational and communication skills.
• Valid driver’s licence.
• Mātauranga Māori experience advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Plan and coordinate freshwater quality and aquatic ecology projects.
• Contribute to environmental monitoring and reporting.
• Provide technical advice and scientific analysis to support regional planning.
• Communicate scientific information to support decision-making.

Skills

Freshwater science

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Driver's license

Mātauranga Māori knowledge

Education

Tertiary environmental science degree

Water-focused postgraduate qualification

Job description

Scientist - Freshwater Quality & Ecology

Published: 24 September 2026

Our vision is a healthy environment and a resilient and prosperous community.

About The opportunity | Ko te āheinga:

We are looking for a Scientist – Freshwater Quality and Ecology to join our Environmental Science team. This is a full-time, fixed-term opportunity based in Napier, providing parental leave cover until approximately January 2028.

In this role, you will help plan and coordinate freshwater quality and aquatic ecology projects, contribute to environmental monitoring and reporting, and provide technical advice and scientific analysis to support regional planning. Working collaboratively across the organisation, you will help build an integrated understanding of freshwater issues across the region and communicate scientific information to support effective decision-making.

About you | E pā ana ki a koe:

You will be a collaborative and analytical freshwater science professional, with a strong technical foundation and the ability to communicate scientific information clearly and effectively. You’ll bring sound judgement, initiative and an open-minded approach.

Ideally you will also have:

• A tertiary qualification in an environmental science discipline, with a specific water post-graduate qualification
• Experience in a freshwater science role, including freshwater quality and/or ecology
• Experience designing and managing monitoring programmes and producing high-quality technical reporting
• Strong analytical, organisational and communication skills
• A valid driver’s licence
• Expertise or experience in mātauranga Māori would be advantageous

The salary range for this role is between $97,070 to $114,200 and will depend on the qualifications and experience of the successful candidate.

As an equal opportunity employer, we are dedicated to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment. We recognise that collaborative and innovative organisations depend on having a workforce made up from a diverse range of perspectives and experiences. We're all about excellence, and we encourage open communication – if you need any specific support, just let us know! Our main goal is to empower each person to share their unique talents to contribute to the outcomes for our community. This commitment ensures that our workplace is a dynamic and progressive space where everyone can flourish.

HBRC is responsible for Civil Defence emergencies and as such, all staff may be called upon to support the response.

Applicants must have existing rights to work in New Zealand.

At Hawke’s Bay Regional Council our purpose is to work with our community to protect and manage the region’s precious taonga of rivers, lakes, soils, air, coast and biodiversity for health, wellbeing and connectivity. Our organisation is diverse and our work is varied. Our structure comprises of six key business units; Corporate Services, Integrated Catchment Management, Asset Management, Māori Partnerships, Policy & Regulation, and the Executive Advisory Group which also consists of the Civil Defence and Emergency Management.

We focus on prioritising:

Kia koi, kia toitū hoki te whakamahinga o te whenua|Climate-smart and sustainable land use.