Strategic Science Advisor

Environment Southland; Invercargill City; On-site; NZD 139,000 - 147,000; Full time

Job summary

Environment Southland in Invercargill invites an experienced Strategic Science Advisor to lead science strategy, translate science into regulatory and operational policy, and ensure alignment with Council outcomes.

The role requires 10+ years in environmental science, a postgraduate qualification, and strong leadership to guide multidisciplinary teams, mentor staff, and foster a high‑performing, collaborative culture in the region.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years experience in environmental science, modelling and resource management.
• Post-graduate qualification in a relevant science field.
• Extensive knowledge of legislation pertaining to the science and monitoring functions of a regional council.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary science activities, including state of the environment reports, court procedures and evidence preparation.
• Experience in conveying complex technical information to diverse audiences.
• Strong and effective interpersonal and mentoring skills.
• Demonstrated ability to engage a diverse range of people and influence with indirect or no authority.
• An ability to work effectively at both strategic and tactical levels.
• Demonstrated ability to build a culture of trust and performance during a period of transformational change.
• Sound report writing and editing skills.
• Good organisational skills and an ability to work under tight time constraints to produce quality work.
• An ability to deal with conflict and a knowledge of how to resolve it in a non-adversarial manner.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional advice and leadership to ensure science operating frameworks are implementable and connect with the Council's strategic direction and outcomes.
• Translate science, economics and Mātauranga Māori to regulatory and operational functions of the Council.
• Collaborate across the business to guide continuous improvement and foster a high performing culture of delivery, customer focus and organisational alignment.

Skills

Environmental science

Modeling

Resource management

Stakeholder engagement

Leadership

Mentoring

Report writing

Interpersonal skills

Strategic thinking

Mātauranga Māori understanding

Education

Post-graduate qualification in a relevant science field

Job description

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In partnership with our community, Environment Southland (Southland Regional Council) is responsible for the sustainable management of Southland's natural resources - our land, our water, our air and our coast. As a Regional Council we operate across a large geographical region which extends from Stewart Island to Fiordland.

We currently have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Strategic Science Advisor

The Strategic Science Advisor contributes to the overall performance of the Science Group by providing professional advice and leadership to ensure science operating frameworks are implementable and connect with the strategic direction and outcomes of the Council.

The role also supports the translation of science, economics and Mātauranga Māori to the regulatory and operational functions of Council, to ensure alignment and consistency of approach.

The role will do this through collaboration across the business, to guide continuous improvement, a high performing culture of delivery, customer focus and organisational alignment.

Knowledge/Experience:

• A minimum 10 years experience in environmental science, modelling and resource management
• A post-graduate qualification in a relevant science field
• Extensive knowledge of relevant legislation pertaining to the science and monitoring functions of a regional council
• Experience leading multidisciplinary science activities, including state of the environment reports, court procedures and evidence preparation
• Experience in conveying complex technical information to diverse audiences
• Strong and effective interpersonal and mentoring skills
• Demonstrated ability to engage a diverse range of people and influence with indirect or no authority
• An ability to work effectively at both strategic and tactical levels
• Demonstrated ability to build a culture of trust and performance during a period of transformational change
• Sound report writing and editing skills
• Good organisational skills and an ability to work under tight time constraints to produce quality work
• An ability to deal with conflict and a knowledge of how to resolve it in a non-adversarial manner.

Your cover letter will be a key part of our assessment process, so please highlight how your experience relates to the key skills required for this role.

We have a lifestyle that is second to none, with easy access to beaches, rivers, lakes, ski fields, national parks and first-class sports facilities. We pride ourselves on the support we give our team to ensure a good work‑life balance is a priority. And with affordable real estate, short commutes and a great range of schools on offer there is something here for everyone!

An initial offer of remuneration will be made within the range $139,140 - $146,870.