Senior Survey Technician

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

Job summary

Environment Canterbury in Canterbury, New Zealand, is seeking a skilled Senior Survey Technician to join our team. You’ll plan and undertake field surveys across Canterbury, collect and analyse survey, environmental and spatial data, and produce plans and reports for internal customers.

Working within a small high-performing team, you’ll use modern surveying, GIS and data collection technologies across both field and office environments.

Qualifications

• You’ll have a tertiary qualification in surveying or a relevant field (e.g. civil engineering or environmental science).
• Practical experience collecting and processing survey data using modern survey equipment and software.
• Strong technical and analytical skills.
• Experience working with complex datasets and producing accurate outputs.
• The confidence to work independently and as part of a team.
• Mentoring, supervising, or leading field teams.

Responsibilities

• Planning and undertaking field surveys across Canterbury.
• Collecting and analysing survey, environmental and spatial data.
• Producing plans, reports and technical outputs for internal customers.
• Leading and supporting others in the field when required.
• Contributing to flood protection, river engineering and coastal projects.

Skills

Strong technical skills

Analytical mindset

Independent worker

Team leadership

Education

Tertiary qualification in surveying or related field

Tools

ArcGIS

AutoCAD Civil 3D

Pix4D

Trimble Business Center

12d Model

Job description

• Work across surveying, environmental monitoring, GIS and mapping
• Support flood protection, natural hazards and environmental projects
• Enjoy a diverse mix of field and office-based work throughout Canterbury

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.

Job Type: Permanent | Full Time

Location: Kainga

Job Category: Environmental Services

Kaunihera Taiao ki Waitaha

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

You’ll play a key role in collecting, analysing and delivering critical data that supports river management, flood protection, coastal monitoring, natural hazards, infrastructure projects and environmental decision‑making. The work is varied, technically challenging and provides the opportunity to contribute directly to projects that benefit our communities and environment.

Working within a small, high‑performing team, you’ll use modern surveying, GIS and data collection technologies across both field and office environments. From aerial mapping and drone surveys to engineering surveys and environmental monitoring, no two days are the same.

Key Responsibilities Include

• Planning and undertaking field surveys across Canterbury
• Collecting and analysing survey, environmental and spatial data
• Producing plans, reports and technical outputs for internal customers
• Leading and supporting others in the field when required
• Contributing to flood protection, river engineering and coastal projects

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

About You

You’ll bring a problem‑solving mindset to your work in the field and office, have attention to detail when collecting survey data and preparing plans and reports and have a focus on delivering high‑quality results within allocated timeframes.

You’ll be comfortable working in and around rivers and coastal areas and will enjoy the challenges of working in remote areas, sometimes alone. A full class 1 driver’s licence is essential.

We recognise that strong candidates may come from a variety of technical backgrounds. You may have experience in:

• Instrumentation and data collection and management
• Environmental science or environmental monitoring
• Senior Survey Technician or surveying roles
• Civil engineering, infrastructure or land development projects
• Geography, GIS or spatial analysis
• Aerial mapping, drones, photogrammetry or remote sensing

Experience

You’ll have a tertiary qualification in surveying or a relevant field (e.g. civil engineering or environmental science), and practical experience collecting and processing survey data using modern survey equipment and software.

• Strong technical and analytical skills
• Experience working with complex datasets and producing accurate outputs
• The confidence to work independently and as part of a team
• Data analysis, reporting and visualisation
• ArcGIS, AutoCAD Civil 3D, Pix4D, Trimble Business Centre, 12d Model or similar platforms
• Mentoring, supervising, or leading field teams

Ready to take the next step in your career?

If you’re an experienced technician looking to elevate into your first senior‑level role, we’d love to hear from you. We’re equally interested in established professionals and high‑potential candidates who can demonstrate strong technical capability, leadership potential and a passion for delivering quality outcomes.

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.

Additional Information

For a confidential chat about this role, please contact Andrew Howes on 027 225 6472.

Applications close on Wednesday, 21 October and will be reviewed as they are received, so early applications are encouraged. Interviews may begin before the closing date, and we reserve the right to close the advertisement early.

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.