Senior Advisor Operational Security

Department of Conservation (DOC); Wellington; Hybrid; NZD 94,000 - 127,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Conservation (DOC) in New Zealand seeks a Senior Advisor Operational Security to provide trusted advice and specialist support across a geographically diverse organisation. You will identify and manage security risks, support incident response and investigations, and help strengthen security capability across DOC.

You’ll work with leaders and external agencies to influence strategic direction and operational practice while fostering a proactive security culture across DOC.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in the security, law enforcement, intelligence or risk management sectors.
• Strong understanding of operational, physical or protective security principles.
• Experience providing advice within complex or geographically dispersed organisations.
• Knowledge of government Protective Security Requirements (PSR), particularly physical security.
• Experience managing security incidents, investigations and risk mitigation activities.

Responsibilities

• Provide operational security advice, support and capability-building across DOC.
• Lead and support security risk assessments, security assurance activities and verification programmes.
• Coordinate and support security incident response, investigations and organisational learning.
• Develop and deliver security training, awareness programmes and improvement initiatives.
• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders, government agencies and security partners.

Skills

Security experience

Security principles

Advisory experience

PSR knowledge

Incident management

Stakeholder engagement

Analytical reporting

Secret clearance

Driver's license

Job description

• Strengthen DOC's security capability and resilience by helping protect our people, assets, information and operations across Aotearoa
• $93,656.00 - $126,500.00
• Permanent full time, Auckland or Wellington preferred – flexible work location options across Aotearoa

Our vision: Nature is thriving in Aotearoa | Te Oranga o te Ao Tūroa

DOC is strengthening its Health, Safety and Security function to better support our people, manage critical risks, and build organisational resilience with a risk-informed and people-centred approach that focuses on learning, prevention, system stewardship, and partnership. These roles offer a unique opportunity to help shape how DOC supports its people, safeguards its operations, and delivers conservation outcomes across Aotearoa.

Mō te tūranga | About the role

Security risks continue to evolve, and so does DOC's approach to managing them. We're looking for an experienced Senior Advisor Operational Security to provide trusted advice and specialist support across a geographically diverse organisation with a wide range of operational activities.

You’ll work closely with leaders, operational teams and external agencies to identify and manage security risks, support incident response and investigations, undertake assurance activities, and help strengthen security capability across the organisation. This role offers the opportunity to influence both strategic direction and operational practice while helping build a proactive security culture across DOC.

The position will be focussed on:

• Provide operational security advice, support and capability-building across DOC
• Lead and support security risk assessments, security assurance activities and verification programmes
• Coordinate and support security incident response, investigations and organisational learning
• Develop and deliver security training, awareness programmes and improvement initiatives
• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders, government agencies and security partners

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

• Significant experience in the security, law enforcement, intelligence or risk management sectors
• Strong understanding of operational, physical or protective security principles
• Experience providing advice within complex or geographically dispersed organisations
• Knowledge of government Protective Security Requirements (PSR), particularly physical security
• Experience managing security incidents, investigations and risk mitigation activities
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills
• Strong analytical, written communication and reporting capability
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret‑level security clearance
• Full NZ drivers licence and ability to travel for work as required

He aha ngā pāinga mōu? | What’s in it for you?

DOC is committed to a culture where everyone can participate, thrive, and grow. We’re driven by our values and behaviours, and are working towards being an organisation that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive by default.

We also support flexible working arrangements for our kaimahi across Aotearoa, with options considered based on the role and in discussion with your leader.

Salary:

$93,656.00 - $126,500.00, depending on skills and experience.

Eligibility:

You must hold a valid NZ work visa that covers the duration of employment.

Please note, we are not engaging with recruitment agencies for this role.

Rā whakakapi | Applications close

at 11:59 pm on Sunday, 15 November 2026. This advert may close early, so please apply promptly.

Me he pātai anō, whakapā mai | For further enquiries

contact Emily Blokker, Senior Recruitment Advisor [e-mail]