Senior Biosecurity Officer - Wallaby Programme

Environment Canterbury; Timaru; On-site; NZD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Environment Canterbury in Timaru is seeking an experienced biosecurity professional to lead the Wallaby Programme across South Canterbury, focusing on containment and community collaboration to reduce spread. You will work with MPI's National Wallaby Eradication Programme, landowners, and contractors to protect biodiversity and support sustainable land use.

You’ll balance strategic programme leadership with hands-on delivery, provide expert pest management advice, coordinate inspection and QA

Qualifications

• Significant experience in biosecurity, pest management or a related field.
• Strong project, contract and budget management experience.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• The ability to provide technical leadership and practical advice.
• A collaborative approach and commitment to delivering environmental outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Leading specialist wallaby control projects and operations
• Managing operational budgets, contracts and programme performance
• Providing expert technical advice on pest and invasive species management
• Coordinating inspection programmes and quality assurance activities
• Mentoring Biosecurity Officers and supporting capability development

Skills

Biosecurity expertise

Project management

Contract management

Budget management

Stakeholder engagement

Technical leadership

Communication skills

Education

Degree in Ecology / Plant Science / Biology or related discipline

Equivalent experience

Full driver's licence

Job description

• Work as part of a high-performing team to deliver Wallaby control objectives
• Partner with communities, landowners and industry to protect Canterbury’s environment
• Visit some of our most remote places as you work across Canterbury’s high country

About Environment Canterbury

As a regional council, we are responsible for managing natural resources including air, soil, water and land. We work in partnership with mana whenua Ngāi Tahu to protect the health of our environment to ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for our region.

Job Type: Permanent | Full Time

Location: Timaru

Job Category: Environmental Services

• Work as part of a high-performing team to deliver Wallaby control objectives
• Partner with communities, landowners and industry to protect Canterbury’s environment
• Visit some of our most remote places as you work across Canterbury’s high country

Kaunihera Taiao ki Waitaha | About Environment Canterbury

As a regional council, we are responsible for managing natural resources including air, soil, water and land. We work in partnership with mana whenua Ngāi Tahu to protect the health of our environment to ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for our region.

The region’s evolving environmental and political context means we will continue to be agile and adaptive, as we respond to regulatory and environmental changes.

Our mahi (work) is organised around the delivery of our three core services:

• Environmental Regulation and Protection
• Community Preparedness and Response to Hazards
• Public Transport

Council plays an important role in responding to national legislation and policy changes – this mahi is part of our operating environment and is embedded in our everyday mahi. The current proposals from central government are significant, and Council is working through the opportunities and implications. However, our mahi must continue to deliver our three core services for our partners, communities and te taiao (environment).

Kōrero mō te Tūranga | About the Role

Based in Timaru our Wallaby Programme covers the whole of South Canterbury, with a focus on reducing the spread of wallaby outside the containment area and supporting the community to reduce numbers inside the containment area. Our dedicated team works closely with the National Wallaby Eradication Programme (led by MPI) and takes pride in protecting our region’s unique landscapes.

Our objective is to stop the spread of wallaby across the South Island, minimise impacts to biodiversity, and support landowners to protect their economic future through the sustainable management of wallabies.

Key Responsibilities Include

• Leading specialist wallaby control projects and operations
• Managing operational budgets, contracts and programme performance
• Providing expert technical advice on pest and invasive species management
• Coordinating inspection programmes and quality assurance activities
• Mentoring Biosecurity Officers and supporting capability development

For more information on this role, please refer to the job description at the bottom of the advert.

Mōu │ About You

You’re an experienced biosecurity professional who combines strong technical expertise with excellent relationship management skills. You enjoy working with diverse stakeholders, can influence positive outcomes, and are comfortable balancing strategic programme leadership with hands‑on operational delivery. You'll be a confident communicator who can engage effectively with communities, contractors, industry groups and internal teams.

You’ll Already Have

• Significant experience in biosecurity, pest management or a related field
• Strong project, contract and budget management experience
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills
• The ability to provide technical leadership and practical advice
• A collaborative approach and commitment to delivering environmental outcomes

Mātau ā-Wheako | Experience

Ideally, You’ll Have a Relevant Degree In Ecology, Plant Science, Biology Or a Related Discipline, Or Equivalent Experience Along With

• At least five years' experience working autonomously in a similar role
• Experience in pest identification, monitoring and control programmes
• Experience managing contracts, projects and operational budgets
• Strong report writing, analytical and problem-solving skills
• A full, clean driver's licence
• Knowledge of regional biosecurity and biodiversity issues would be highly advantageous

Ngā hua o te Mahi i te Kaunihera Taiao ki Waitaha | Working at Environment Canterbury

Our Mahi Is Underpinned By Our Values

• Kaitiakitanga (stewardship)
• Pononga (integrity)
• Manaakitanga (people first)
• Whanaungatanga (collaboration)
• Māiatanga (can do)

We understand and embrace a diverse workforce; this diversity will enable us to better serve our people, our community, and our greatest taonga, the environment. We value everyone’s contribution, diverse thinking, and skills. We're on a journey to become a treaty partner of excellence, including incorporating te ao Māori into our work. We offer supportive opportunities to develop capability in this area and encourage our people to use kaupapa Māori, mātauranga Māori, and te reo Māori in our daily work. We welcome you with an open heart & mind, wherever you are on your personal te ao Māori journey.

Ko ētahi atu kōrero | Additional Information

For a confidential chat about this role, please contact Brent Glentworth on 027 496 1684.

Short-listed candidates will be required to complete an interview process, reference checks, and a criminal check. Further background checking will be required when relevant to the role.

We are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. If you're excited about this role but don't meet every qualification in the job description, we still encourage you to apply.

Me mahi tahi tātou - Together we can