Senior Environmental Monitoring Technician

Environment Canterbury; Timaru; On-site; NZD 80,000 - 99,000; Full time

Job summary

Environment Canterbury is seeking a Senior Environmental Monitoring Technician based in Timaru to operate within the Hydrology Monitoring South team. You will collect, process, and maintain high-quality environmental data essential for decision-making across the region.

The role combines hands-on fieldwork with technical problem-solving, training junior staff, and ensuring safety and data integrity. A Bachelor’s degree and three years of monitoring experience are preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or tertiary qualification in a relevant field with at least three years' environmental monitoring experience.
• Experience planning workloads and training others in data collection and quality assurance.
• Strong troubleshooting and analytical abilities; ability to work in varied outdoor environments.

Responsibilities

• Collect, process, and quality assure environmental monitoring data.
• Maintain, calibrate, and troubleshoot monitoring equipment and telemetry systems.
• Plan and deliver monitoring activities with Team Leaders and science colleagues.
• Train and coach junior technicians in core methods and safety practices.
• Coordinate monitoring during floods, severe weather, and time-critical events.

Skills

Field monitoring

Data collection

Analytical skills

Coaching

Driver's licence

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Telemetry systems

Job description

Posted: 04/11/2026

Closing Date: 15/11/2026

Job Type: Permanent | Full Time

Location: Timaru

• Hands-on hydrology field monitoring & data collection across South Canterbury
• Join a science team protecting Canterbury's natural resources
• Diverse outdoor and technical work across the region

At Environment Canterbury, we're working together to shape a thriving and resilient Canterbury for current and future generations.

As the regional council for Waitaha Canterbury, we care for the region's air, land, water, and communities. Working alongside mana whenua Ngāi Tahu, stakeholders, and communities, we deliver three essential services:

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

As Canterbury continues to grow and change, so do we. We operate in a dynamic environment, responding to evolving legislation, policy, and community needs while continuing to deliver for our communities, partners, and te taiao (the environment). Adapting to change, embracing new opportunities, and finding better ways of working are all part of creating great outcomes for Canterbury.

As a Senior Environmental Monitoring Technician, you'll play a vital role in collecting, processing, and maintaining high-quality environmental data that informs decision-making across Environment Canterbury. Based in Timaru, you'll join our Hydrology Monitoring South team, helping operate and maintain the hydrometric network across South Canterbury.

Working across rivers, lakes, coastal environments, and high-country locations, you'll combine technical expertise, problem-solving, and field experience to deliver reliable monitoring data and maintain data integrity and completeness. You'll also provide training and coaching to junior technicians while contributing to continuous improvement in monitoring methods, equipment, and systems.

Key responsibilities include:

• Collect, process, and quality assure environmental monitoring data
• Maintain, calibrate, and troubleshoot monitoring equipment and telemetry systems
• Work with Team Leaders and science teams to plan and deliver monitoring and data collection activities
• Train and coach junior technicians in core monitoring methods, quality assurance and safe work practices
• Coordinate and support monitoring during floods, severe weather, environmental incidents and other time-critical events

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

You’ll be an experienced environmental monitoring professional who enjoys balancing hands‑on fieldwork with technical problem-solving and data quality assurance. You have a strong commitment to health and safety, enjoy working collaboratively, and take pride in delivering accurate, reliable information that supports environmental outcomes across Canterbury. You are comfortable working in varied outdoor conditions and building positive relationships with colleagues, stakeholders, landowners, and partners.

You’ll have a bachelor’s degree or tertiary qualification in a relevant field or equivalent practical experience with at least three years' experience in environmental monitoring, including field and data activities along with:

• Experience planning and organising workloads to achieve targets
• Experience training and coaching others in data collection and quality assurance methods
• Strong technical troubleshooting and analytical skills
• Experience coaching, training, or supporting the development of others
• A full Class 1 driver's licence, confidence driving off-road and working in remote outdoor environments
• Sufficient swimming ability to work safely in, on or near water
• Physical fitness for outdoor work in all weather and terrain, and availability for occasional out-of-hours work, overnight stays and travel

Candidates will ideally have experience with environmental monitoring equipment, data collection systems, telemetry technology, quality assurance processes, and working safely in challenging field environments. Knowledge of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and a willingness to build cultural capability within the workplace will also be highly regarded.

We're a values‑led organisation, and our values shape how we work, make decisions, and support each other every day.

• Kaitiakitanga (Stewardship) We make good decisions today for a better tomorrow.
• Pononga (Integrity) - we act honestly, take responsibility and do what we say.
• Manaakitanga (People First) - we put people first and treat everyone with care and respect.
• Whanaungatanga (Collaboration) - We build strong relationships and achieve more together.
• Māiatanga (Can Do) - We are brave solution focussed and make things happen.

Our values guide the way we work and shape our workplace culture. Throughout the recruitment process, you'll have the opportunity to share examples of how your experiences and approach align with these values.

We know that diverse perspectives, experiences, and ways of thinking help us make better decisions and achieve better outcomes for our communities and environment. That's why we're committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and able to contribute.

We're also on a journey to become a Treaty partner of excellence. We support our people to grow their confidence and capability in te ao Māori and encourage the use of kaupapa Māori, mātauranga Māori, and te reo Māori in our everyday mahi. Wherever you are on your journey, you'll be welcomed and supported.

To be considered for this opportunity, candidates must have the legal right to work in New Zealand at the time of application and hold work rights that will enable them to fulfil the full term of employment.

Shortlisted candidates will be required to complete an interview process, reference checks, and a criminal history check. Additional background checks may be required depending on the nature of the role.

Hours of work - Permanent full-time position - From time to time, as required, the role may require work outside of normal work hours for emergency and flood response and to represent Environment Canterbury at meetings and events with partners, other agencies, and the community.

Location - This position is predominantly based at 75 Church Street, Timaru.

Salary - The indicative salary range for role is $80,156 - $99,016 per annum depending on skills and experience. The specific salary will be discussed at interview stage.