Senior Technical Advisor | Kaitohu Mātanga Matua (Fixed Term/Secondment)

Department of Conservation (DOC); Wellington; On-site; NZD 94,000 - 119,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangements

Secondment opportunities

Job summary

Department of Conservation (DOC) in Wellington seeks a Senior Technical Advisor for the Marine Ecosystems team. This desk-based role uses marine science to ensure high-quality, evidence‑based guidance informs DOC’s marine management decisions.

You will prepare guidance, assess permit applications, translate technical data for staff and partners, and help develop tools to support conservation mahi. This is a full-time, fixed-term or secondment until 30 April 2027.

Qualifications

• Degree in marine science with an ecosystem focus; MSc/PhD welcomed.
• Experience providing marine ecological advice for RMA and Fast-track applications.
• Clear writing and communication skills, written and spoken.

Responsibilities

• Prepare clear, well‑reasoned guidance on marine ecosystems and resource management.
• Assess the 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 that help DOC staff in marine conservation mahi.

Skills

Marine ecosystems knowledge

Marine ecological advice

Clear communication

Critical thinking

Stakeholder collaboration

Prioritisation & organisation

Continuous learning

Data interpretation

Problem solving

Education

Degree in marine science (ecosystem focus)

Postgraduate qualifications welcome (MSc or PhD)

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.

• 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.

Want to know more?

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

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.

Rā whakakapi | Applications close

at 11:59 pm on Sunday, 4 October 2026. This advert may close early.

Me he pātai anō, whakapā mai | For further enquiries

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