Senior Hydrogeologist

Pattle Delamore Partners; Auckland; Hybrid; NZD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Income protection

Parental leave top up

Extra annual leave

Professional development support

Fully subsidised membership fees

Job summary

Pattle Delamore Partners Limited (PDP) is seeking a Senior Hydrogeologist to join its nationally recognised Water Resources team. You will lead groundwater investigations, develop conceptual models, and mentor junior staff while delivering projects across New Zealand.

The role blends field work with technical problem solving, client engagement, and business development. You will work with multidisciplinary teams, travel as needed, and contribute to environmental and infrastructure projects while

Qualifications

• This role requires a degree in Geoscience, Engineering, or related field with focus on hydrogeology.
• 5+ years' hydrogeology experience, ideally in consulting.
• Strong technical skills in groundwater investigations, modelling and reporting.
• Experience managing projects and developing client relationships.
• A commercial mindset with interest in business development.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement; willing to travel NZ.

Responsibilities

• Lead hydrogeological investigations and assessments across environmental and infrastructure projects.
• Develop conceptual models and perform groundwater flow and contaminant transport modelling.
• Plan and deliver field investigations and monitoring programmes.
• Undertake site visits and occasional travel throughout New Zealand.
• Prepare and review technical reports, management plans, and consent applications.
• Provide technical advice on groundwater management and compliance.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across projects.
• Build client relationships and contribute to proposals and business development.
• Mentor early-career team members and support project delivery and budgeting.

Skills

Hydrogeology

Project management

Client relationships

Numerical modelling

Education

Geoscience degree

Engineering degree

Tools

MODFLOW

FEFLOW

SEEP/W

Job description

Senior Hydrogeologist

We are looking for an experienced Senior Hydrogeologist to join our nationally recognised Water Resources team. Working alongside leading hydrogeologists, geologists, and water engineers, you will deliver technically challenging projects across New Zealand while helping to grow client relationships and expand PDP's water resources business.

This role will suit someone who enjoys a mix of field work, technical problem solving, project delivery, and client engagement. You will apply strong technical expertise across a variety of groundwater projects while also contributing to client relationships, supporting project delivery, and developing your mentoring and leadership skills within the team.

What you'll do

• Lead hydrogeological investigations and assessments across a range of environmental and infrastructure projects.
• Develop conceptual hydrogeological models and undertake groundwater flow and contaminant transport modelling using tools such as MODFLOW, FEFLOW and SEEP/W.
• Plan and deliver field investigations, monitoring programmes, dewatering assessments, and groundwater resource projects.
• Undertake site visits and field work, with occasional travel throughout New Zealand.
• Prepare and review technical reports, environmental management plans, monitoring plans, and consent applications.
• Provide technical advice to clients on groundwater management, planning, and environmental compliance.
• Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams across contaminated land, geotechnics, and water infrastructure projects.
• Build and maintain client relationships, contribute to proposals, and support business development activities.
• Support and learn to mentor early-career team members through technical guidance and knowledge sharing.
• Manage project delivery, including programme, budget, quality, and health and safety requirements - with support to develop financial management skills.

What you'll bring

• A degree in Geoscience, Engineering, or a related discipline with a focus on Hydrogeology.
• 5+ years' hydrogeology experience, ideally in consulting.
• Strong technical skills in groundwater investigations, assessment, and numerical modelling.
• Experience managing projects and developing client relationships.
• A commercial mindset with an interest in business development and growing client partnerships.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• A commitment to quality, health and safety, and continuous improvement.
• The ability to travel within New Zealand as required.

Why join PDP?

• A comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, income protection, salary top up for parental leave and the ability to purchase extra annual leave.
• Flexible/hybrid working culture, facilitating a healthy work-life balance.
• Professional development opportunities, including support for ongoing training and education, and fully subsidised membership fees.
• The chance to work on challenging projects that make a difference to our environment.
• A vibrant environment, committed to fostering a workplace that embraces diversity and inclusion.
• A supportive and collaborative team environment with opportunities to further develop leadership and technical expertise.

About PDP

PDP is one of Aotearoa New Zealand's leading environmental science, engineering and advisory consultancies.

Guided by our purpose, Today Shapes Tomorrow, we care deeply about delivering solutions for our clients and communities that meet today’s needs, while providing for the future.

Join our multi-disciplinary team, and help create innovative and enduring outcomes for people, place, economy, and environment.