Senior Advisor Operational Security

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

Job summary

Department of Conservation invites applications for a Senior Advisor Operational Security to strengthen security capability across Aotearoa. You will advise on security risks, support incident response and investigations, and help build a proactive security culture within DOC.

The role focuses on providing expert guidance across a geographically diverse organisation, collaborating with leaders and external agencies to safeguard people, assets and information while promoting learning and system

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.
• 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.

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

Operational security

Risk management

Stakeholder engagement

Analytical reporting

Security investigations

Secret clearance

NZ driver's license

Travel willing

Job description

Strengthen DOC's security capability and resilience by helping protect our people, assets, information and operations across Aotearoa$93,656.00 - $126,500.00Permanent 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 tōranga | 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.

This 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 nēć wheako | Skills and experience

We are keen to hear from you, if you have;

• 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 nēć īnga čī? | 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.

Ră whakakapi | Applications close

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

Me he pċatai anô, whakapši mai | For further enquiries, please contact Emily Blokker, Senior Recruitment Advisor [e-mail]

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