Statutory Advisor | Kaitohu ā-Ture

Department of Conservation (DOC); Wellington; Hybrid; NZD 81,000 - 102,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangements

Hybrid working environment

Job summary

The Department of Conservation (DOC) is seeking a Statutory Advisor to manage regulatory permissions across the Lower North Island region. This primarily Napier-based role will reflect DOC’s statutory obligations and partnership commitments while collaborating with iwi, hapū, applicants, and stakeholders.

You will provide high-quality regulatory advice, apply Te Ao Māori perspectives, and help improve processes to deliver timely, well-informed decisions in a hybrid working environment.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in regulatory, statutory law, or related field.
• Ability to apply legislation, policy and statutory processes to assess risk, complexity and priority.
• Knowledge of NZ conservation or environmental legislation advantageous.
• Strong analytical, judgement and decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication with internal/external stakeholders including iwi/hapū.
• FullNZ Drivers Licence.
• Collaborative team player with ability to build relationships.
• Understanding of Māori–Crown relationship in DOC responsibilities.
• Valid NZ Driver's License.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality statutory and regulatory advice to resolve complex issues.
• Apply knowledge of Te Ao Māori and iwi/hapū perspectives to inform advice, assessments and recommendations.
• Engage with iwi, hapū, applicants and stakeholders to support timely, well-informed decisions.
• Identify efficiencies and improve processes for better customer and partner experience.
• Communicate clearly to internal and external stakeholders with cultural competence.
• Collaborate across teams to deliver a high-quality regulatory service.
• Support cross-functional projects and undertake varied tasks as required.

Skills

Regulatory advice

Iwi/hapū engagement

Communication

Analytical thinking

Decision making

Stakeholder engagement

Team collaboration

Treaty responsibilities

Māori–Crown relationship

NZ Driver's License

Education

Tertiary qualification in regulatory/legal field

Job description

• Hands on role, navigating legislation to protect what matters
• Support statutory processes for Hawkes Bay and wider region
• Permanent Role | $80,695 - $101,951 | Hybrid working environment
• Napier based, open to considering other locations within the region
  

Navigate complex statutory processes, build relationships, and contribute to meaningful Conservation outcomes!

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

Mō te tūranga | About the role

The Department of Conservation (DOC) protects and manages Aotearoa New Zealand’s natural and historic heritage for the benefit of present and future generations. Our Regional Operations Group is at the forefront of this work, delivering conservation outcomes that protect the landscapes, species, and ecosystems that make New Zealand unique.

Reporting to the Statutory and Community Manager, the Statutory Advisor will manage the processing of permissions and other regulatory applications for the region, ensuring these are delivered efficiently, fairly, and in a way that reflects DOC’s statutory obligations and partnership commitments.

The position will be focussed on:

• Providing high-quality statutory and regulatory advice to resolve complex and strategic issues, with a strong understanding of natural resource management and Treaty responsibilities
• Applying knowledge of Te Ao Māori and iwi/hapū perspectives to inform advice, assessments, and recommendations
• Engaging effectively with iwi, hapū, applicants, and stakeholders, building respectful and trusted relationships to support timely and well-informed decision-making
• Bringing a continuous improvement mindset to identify efficiencies, strengthen processes, and improve customer and partner experience
• Using your excellent communication skills to provide clear, culturally competent advice and updates to internal and external stakeholders
• Collaborating across teams and disciplines, maintaining positive working relationships to keep work moving and deliver a high-quality regulatory service
• Expand your knowledge and capabilities by supporting cross-functional projects and undertaking a variety of tasks as required.

This role is currently based in Napier, however we are open to considering candidates in other locations within the Lower North Island Region. As a primarily office-based role, regular field work is not required.

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

If you have some of the following, we are keen to hear from you:

• A tertiary qualification in regulatory, statutory legal or a related field would be advantageous
• Demonstrated ability to apply legislation, policy, and statutory processes to assess risk, complexity, and priority, with knowledge of New Zealand conservation or environmental legislation being advantageous.
• Strong analytical, judgement, and decision-making skills, with the ability to interpret technical information, assess risk and complexity, and provide sound advice and recommendations.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and keep everything on track to meet deadlines
• Experience understanding and applying iwi/ hapū perspective to inform decisions
• Problem solving and continuous-improvement mentality, always seeking ways to improve systems and processes
• Solutions focussed and consistently act with integrity to deliver meaningful results
• A collaborative, team player who can build rapport easily with a range of people to get desired results
• Understands where the Māori–Crown relationship plays a key role in DOC’s responsibilities and decision making
• Full NZ Drivers License

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?

If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process, let us know and we’ll try to accommodate.

Salary:

$80,695 - $101,951, depending on skills and experience.

Eligibility:

You must hold a valid NZ work visa that covers the duration of employment.

Rā whakakapi | Applications close

at 11:59 pm on Monday 19th October.

Me he pātai anō, whakapā mai | For further enquiries

please contact Leeza Young, Senior Recruitment Advisor, [e-mail].