About Environment Canterbury
As a regional council, we are responsible for managing natural resources including air, soil, water and land. We work in partnership with mana whenua Ngāi Tahu to protect the health of our environment to ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for our region.
Job Details
Job Type: Permanent | Full Time
Location: Christchurch or Timaru
Job Category: Biotech, R&D, Science
About the Role
This role sits within our Water Quality Team and works closely with a wide range of experts—including scientists, consent planners, and enforcement officers—as well as Zone Committees and community groups. Together, you’ll tackle complex challenges such as sustainable resource use and improving the ecological health of our waterways.
A major responsibility in this position is acting as the lead scientist for the contact recreation programme. This includes interpreting coastal and freshwater monitoring results, working closely with stakeholders, supporting effective communication, and guiding the development of new approaches to recreational water quality.
This position can be based in either Christchurch or Timaru.
About You
You’ll ideally have a master’s degree in a relevant field with at least five years of professional experience, or a bachelor’s degree with ten years of professional experience. Your solid technical background will stand out as you interpret scientific data to a wide range of audiences including tangata whenua, community, and decision‑makers.
* Proven track record with defining research questions and designing and implementing collaborative investigation and monitoring programmes
* Excellent writing and oral skills for a range of audiences
* Excellent relationship building skills
* Great team player, mentor and collaborator
* Hold a current full driver’s licence
* Understanding of and commitment to honouring tikanga and Te Tiriti o Waitangi combined with experience of incorporating te ao Māori perspectives into science delivery
Experience
* You’ll have experience in freshwater water quality science, including an understanding of key chemical, physical, and microbiological indicators, and factors that influence them. You’ll also have experience in water quality monitoring methods and data interpretation in New Zealand.
Values
* Kaitiakitanga (stewardship)
* Pononga (integrity)
* Manaakitanga (people first)
* Whanaungatanga (collaboration)
* Māiatanga (can do)
Additional Information
For a confidential chat about this role, please contact Stephanie Koviessen by email at stephanie.koviessen@ecan.govt.nz or phone at 0273077098.
Application Deadline
Applications close on 25 March 2026. Applications will be reviewed as we receive them, and interviews may take place before the close date. We reserve the right to close advertising early.
Hours of Work
Permanent full‑time position – From time to time, as required, the role may require work outside of normal work hours for emergency and flood response and to represent Environment Canterbury at meetings and events with partners, other agencies, and the community. Location – This position is predominantly based at 200 Tuam Street, Christchurch OR 75 Church Street, Timaru.
Salary
The indicative salary range for this role is $95,632 to $118,133 per annum depending on skills and experience. The specific salary will be discussed at interview stage.
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