Senior Technical Advisor (Fixed Term/Secondment)

New Zealand Government; Wellington; On-site; NZD 94,000 - 119,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Conservation (DOC) is seeking a Senior Technical Advisor in Wellington to apply marine science expertise to policy and resource management. This desk-based role supports staff with high-quality evidence and clear guidance for marine ecosystems.

It offers a fixed-term or secondment until 30 April 2027 and may consider other locations for the right candidate. You will translate complex scientific information into practical advice, assess permit risks, and help develop tools and

Qualifications

• Degree in marine science with ecosystem focus; MSc/PhD welcome
• Experience providing marine ecological advice for Resource Management Act and Fast-track applications
• Clear communicator in writing and in person
• Strong critical thinking and evidence-based conclusions
• Team-oriented with strong working relationships
• Ability to prioritise, stay organised and take initiative
• Commitment to continuous learning and conservation outcomes
• Experience working with scientific or monitoring data
• Ability to interpret and explain technical information
• Good judgement and problem-solving

Responsibilities

• Prepare clear, well-reasoned guidance on marine ecosystems and resource management
• Assess risks and benefits of permit applications, including fast-track pathways
• Translate technical and scientific information into plain English for staff and partners
• Develop tools and resources to support DOC staff in marine conservation mahi

Skills

Marine ecosystems

Policy analysis

Data interpretation

Written communication

Team collaboration

Project management

Knowledge transfer

Critical thinking

Education

Marine science degree (ecosystem focus)

Postgraduate qualifications (MSc/PhD) welcomed

Job description

Use your marine science / data and analytical expertise to help protect Aotearoa's oceans.

• Make a real impact by contributing to nationally significant marine work.
• Full time, fixed term or secondment opportunity until 30 April 2027; Wellington location (other locations considered)

Our vision : Nature is thriving in Aotearoa | Te Oranga o te Ao Tūroa Mō te tūranga

About the role

We're looking for an experienced professional to join our Marine Ecosystems team as Senior Technical Advisor. This is an excellent opportunity for someone with a degree in marine science, particularly marine ecosystems, who wants to help protect Aotearoa's marine environment. This is a desk-based role where you'll use your marine science and resource management knowledge to help make sure DOC's marine resource management advice is informed by high-quality evidence and clear, consistent information. You will work with colleagues across DOC to support resource management processes and help translate data and policy into clear guidance that staff can use in their day-to-day mahi. Your work will help us improve how we understand and care for our marine ecosystems. In this role you will :

• Prepare clear, well'reasoned guidance on marine ecosystems and resource management.
• Help assess the risks and benefits of permit applications, including those processed under fast'track pathways.
• Help translate technical and scientific information into plain English for staff and partners.
• Support the development of tools and resources that help DOC staff in their marine conservation mahi.

Your work will make a direct contribution to DOC's broader biodiversity, ecosystem and resource management objectives. This is a full time, fixed term role or secondment opportunity (secondments from other agencies are welcomed) until 30 April 2027 to backfill the incumbent who is on secondment. This role is based in Wellington, but we will consider other locations for the right candidate.

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

You'll bring a strong interest in marine ecosystems and the role of science in conservation. You will be confident working with policy and data, asking good questions, and applying sound reasoning to explain technical information in a clear and accessible way. If you have most of the following, we are keen to hear from you :

• A degree in marine science with an ecosystem focus - postgraduate qualifications (MSc or PhD) are welcome
• Demonstrated experience in providing marine ecological advice for Resource Management Act and Fast-track applications
• Communicates clearly and confidently in writing and in person
• Thinks critically and can draw logical, evidence'based conclusions
• Works well with others and builds strong working relationships
• Can prioritise, stay organised and take initiative
• Committed to continuous learning and supporting conservation outcomes
• Experience working with scientific or monitoring data
• Ability to interpret and explain technical information
• Effective problem'solver, and has good judgement.

He aha ngā pāinga mōu? | 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.

Salary

Salary : $93,656-$118,510, depending on skills and experience.

Eligibility

Eligibility : You must hold a valid New Zealand work visa that covers the duration of employment. For secondments : You are encouraged to discuss secondment opportunities with your line manager. Secondments should support the development of skills and experience aligned with your development plan. You must seek support from your line manager before applying for a secondment. For internal secondments, approval from your one-up manager is also required before you can be released for a secondment opportunity.

Applications close

Applications close at 11 : 59 pm on Sunday, 4 October 2026.

Me he pātai anō, whakapā mai

For further enquiries, please contact Malene Felsing, Marine Ecosystems Manager, at [e-mail]

We are not engaging with recruitment agencies for this role.