Statutory Advisor | Kaitohu ā-Ture

Department of Conservation (DOC); Wellington; On-site; 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) seeks a Statutory Advisor to manage permissions and regulatory applications for the Lower North Island region. Reporting to the Statutory and Community Manager, you will ensure processes are efficient, fair, and aligned with statutory obligations and partnership commitments.

The role is Napier-based with flexibility for other Lower North Island locations; primarily office-based with limited field work.

Qualifications

• Experience applying legislation, policy, and statutory processes to assess risk and priority.
• Strong analytical, judgement, and decision‑making abilities with interpretation of technical information.
• Excellent communication to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Experience understanding and applying iwi/hapū perspectives to inform decisions.
• Full NZ Driver's Licence.

Responsibilities

• Manage the processing of permissions and regulatory applications for the region.
• Ensure work delivered in line with DOC's statutory obligations and partnership commitments.
• Build relationships with stakeholders to enable timely decisions.
• Contribute to conservation outcomes by efficient statutory processes.

Skills

Regulatory knowledge

Legislation interpretation

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Iwi perspective understanding

Problem solving

Integrity

Teamwork

Māori relations

Driver's license

Education

Tertiary regulatory/legal qualification

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.

Click here for the Role Description

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?

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.

Please note, we are not engaging with recruitment agencies for this role.

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]