Team Lead Health Safety and Security

Department of Conservation (DOC); Wellington; Hybrid; NZD 110,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work location across Aotearoa

Supportive, inclusive culture

Job summary

Department of Conservation (DOC) is strengthening its Health, Safety and Security function and seeks a Team Lead to guide a high-performing team across health, safety and security. You will drive risk management, provide strategic advice, and support leaders across DOC to build resilience and a proactive safety culture.

The role is permanent full time with flexible work location options across Aotearoa, including Auckland, Hamilton or Rotorua, and occasional travel.

Qualifications

• Significant experience as a senior health and safety practitioner with people leadership.
• Strong knowledge of HSWA 2015 and associated regulations.
• Proven ability to lead geographically dispersed teams.
• Experience leading risk management and assurance programmes.
• Excellent coaching and stakeholder engagement capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead a geographically dispersed team across health, safety and security activities.
• Provide technical direction, coaching and oversight to the team.
• Partner with DOC leaders to strengthen risk management and organisational learning.

Skills

Senior leadership

Health & Safety

HSWA 2015 knowledge

Stakeholder engagement

Coaching & mentoring

Strategic thinking

Travel readiness

Education

Health and safety qualification

Job description

• Lead a high-performing team that helps DOC manage critical risks, build organisational capability and keep our people safe while delivering for nature


• $110,033.00 - $145,000.00


• Permanent full time, Auckland, Hamilton or Rotorua location preferred – flexible work location options across Aotearoa

Team Lead - Health Safety and Security

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

DOC is strengthening its Health, Safety and Security function to better support our people, manage critical risks, and build organisational resilience with a risk-informed and people-centred approach that focuses on learning, prevention, system stewardship, and partnership. These roles offer a unique opportunity to help shape how DOC supports its people, safeguards its operations, and delivers conservation outcomes across Aotearoa.

Mō te tūranga | About the role

This is an opportunity to lead a team of experienced health, safety and security professionals supporting one of Aotearoa’s most diverse operational environments. You'll play a critical role in strengthening organisational capability, embedding effective risk management practices, and ensuring leaders have access to high-quality advice and support.

Leading a geographically dispersed team, you'll provide technical direction, coaching and oversight across health, safety and operational security activities. You'll work closely with leaders across DOC to support critical risk management, assurance programmes, worker participation, organisational learning helping create a more proactive and risk-informed approach across the organisation.

Skills and experience

• Significant experience as a senior health and safety practitioner, including leadership of people and programmes


• A relevant health and safety qualification and strong knowledge of HSWA 2015 and associated regulations


• Proven ability to lead and develop high-performing, geographically dispersed teams


• Experience leading critical risk management, assurance and organisational improvement programmes


• Strong coaching, mentoring and stakeholder engagement capability


• Experience influencing senior leaders and driving positive organisational outcomes


• Understanding of operational and protective security principles


• Strong strategic thinking, communication and relationship management skills


• Full NZ drivers licence and ability to travel for work as required

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.

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

Salary

$110,033.00 - $145,000.00, depending on skills and experience., 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.

Please note, we’re unable to accept applications via email or provide feedback to applicants not shortlisted.

Applications close

at 11:59 pm on Sunday, 15 November 2026. This advert may close early, so please apply promptly

For further enquiries

please contact Emily Blokker, Senior Recruitment Advisor [e-mail]