Thriving together - mō te taiao, mō ngā tāngata.

Our environment and our people go hand-in-hand.

• 2 x Fixed term full time roles until March 2027
• Central Tauranga Location + Flexible work
• Become an important part of achieving outcomes for our local environment and community

Are you passionate about New Zealand’s biosecurity? In particular, does engaging with people and making a difference in the community interest you? We are looking for two Biosecurity Officers to join our passionate Biosecurity team with a particular focus on pest plant surveillance and control. You will be involved in supporting the delivery of our pest plant biosecurity programmes and strengthening our capability in this regard.

Te āhuatunga a te tūranga | About the role

Our Biosecurity team is responsible for managing pest plants and animals in the Bay of Plenty to protect our regions biodiversity and economy. We collaborate with a number of external agencies, community groups and hapū to manage invasive species as well as engaging with thousands of landowners on an annual basis to protect the region and its values.

These roles will involve a large amount of fieldwork, the successful applicants will be out in the community undertaking surveillance and small-scale control of pests and engaging with communities and landowners to ensure they controlled.  While much of the time they will be undertaking service delivery, on occasions they will be the first step in the compliance process, where landowners are required to control a pest plant, but much of the job will be about supporting landowners to become compliant with the Regional Pest Management Plan, providing them with the skills and knowledge to understand how to manage the pest. There will be pest plant control operations that they will lead and support, including the use of herbicides. On occasions they may be required to organise and supervise Contractors undertaking control operations or monitoring the control effectiveness.

You will need good computer skills with an ability to work with GPS/GIS and database technology. 

You’ll also need to be prepared to work away from home occasionally as we support our neighbouring regions and national biosecurity incursions.

Ō pūmanawa | Your skills and experience

To be successful in this role, you will have the following:

• A Bachelor degree in applied science or biology, conservation based or equivalent demonstrated body of knowledge.
• A full and clean drivers’ licence is essential, the ability to drive both automatic and manual vehicles.
• Four-wheel drive and ATV qualifications and experience are desirable.
• Experience in map reading, GIS tools and the use of mobile devices such as a hand help GPS and or PLB is desirable.
• A Growsafe standard certificate, Approved Handlers Certificate and or Registered Chemical Applicator (RCA) Certificates and at least 1 years’ experience in manual, mechanical and chemical pest plant control activities.
• Chainsaw and tree felling certificates are desirable.
• A Controlled Substance Licence and experience in pest animal control activities is desirable.
• Sound technical knowledge of pest plant and the New Zealand’s biosecurity system.
• Field work experience including plant identification (NZ native and pests), practical pest plant control.
• Project and contract management skills are desirable.
• Compliance experience, either through the Biosecurity Act or other relevant legislation is desirable.
• Good verbal Communication and customer service skills
• This is a physical role requiring the incumbent to be able to walk long distances through rough and uneven terrain and challenging vegetation carrying equipment and undertaking physical work. The successful candidate will be physically fit and able to undertake all physical aspects of the role

Ko wai mātou | Who we are

The Bay of Plenty Regional Council is responsible for land, air and water as well as public transport and economic development. A major focus of our work involves looking after the environment. We manage the effects of people’s use of freshwater, land, air and coastal water. However, we also have a broader responsibility with others for the economic, social and cultural well-being of the regional community.

We are a values-driven organisation that really cares about people.  Who you are is important to us. We welcome diversity as an opportunity to grow our teams and are keen to support people of all gender identities, ages, ethnicities, sexual orientations, religions, and disabilities/abilities. We want the Bay of Plenty Regional Council to be a place where you can bring your whole self to work. 

This role is located in Tauranga.

Highlights of working for us are:

• We’ll support you to grow and develop.
• We are flexible with the way you work.
• We have a competitive salary and leave package, including extra paid leave over Christmas/New Year.
• We offer additional benefits such as discount schemes.

Me pēhea te tuku tono  | How to Apply

Click APPLY NOW or contact Shane Grayling on 0800 884 880 for a confidential discussion.

To access a copy of Te Tūranga Mahi (Job Description) please click on the following link or copy and paste it into your web browser: https://tinyurl.com/3wdye5cn

NB: To apply for this job, you must have the legal right to be able to work in New Zealand and also a current, valid driver's licence. As this position is designated as being "safety sensitive", the successful candidate will be asked to undergo a pre-employment drug and alcohol check as part of the recruitment.

Applications close 5pm, Sunday 5 April 2026 and will only be accepted online.