Thriving together - mō te taiao, mō ngā tāngata.
Our environment and our people go hand-in-hand.

Are you passionate about freshwater ecosystems and the science that protects them? Join our Science Team in a 14-month fixed-term role supporting the health of the Bay of Plenty’s rivers, streams, lakes and estuaries.

Working alongside our Senior Environmental Scientist – Freshwater Ecology, you’ll deliver high-quality monitoring, analysis and ecological advice that informs freshwater management and restoration. You’ll contribute to one of New Zealand’s largest and longest-running regional monitoring programmes, help advance emerging tools such as eDNA and spatial analysis, and refine monitoring approaches to meet evolving environmental challenges.

This role suits an ecologist with at least five years’ experience who’s ready to grow their career through collaboration with regional councils, iwi partners, universities and national science groups. Please ensure you read the full position description before applying, as it outlines the capabilities and expectations for this role.

Te āhuatunga a te tūranga | About the role

Our Science Team leads ecological monitoring and research to support Council functions including environmental reporting, freshwater and land-use policy, resource consenting and biodiversity protection. This role offers a unique opportunity to work at the interface of aquatic science, planning and community engagement in a region rich in ecological and cultural diversity.

You’ll help us understand how freshwater environments are changing, support sustainable regional development and guide restoration work through strong science communication and partnerships with iwi, communities and researchers.

You will take on projects delegated by the Senior Environmental Scientist – Freshwater Ecology and Science Team Leader and will run with these independently. We are seeking someone who has the professional capability to deliver ecological assessments, manage field programmes and contribute meaningfully to our monitoring and reporting. You will also carry a significant workload of consent and compliance reviews, which often require the applied ecological knowledge gained in consultancy or similar professional environments.

You will be expected to take ownership of existing monitoring programmes, identify opportunities for improvement and implement agreed actions. This includes reviewing programme design, data quality and methods to ensure our monitoring remains fit-for-purpose and scientifically robust.

In this role, you will:

• Design and carry out field investigations and ecological monitoring across freshwater habitats (streams, rivers, lakes, and occasionally estuaries).
• Lead or contribute to technical projects supporting our Natural Environment Regional Monitoring Network and state of environment reporting, including periphyton, fish, freshwater mussels and macroinvertebrate programmes.
• Analyse ecological data using R or Python.
• Create and update spatial datasets, maps and visualisations for freshwater taxa.
• Maintain external data feeds (Water Ecology Tool, LAWA).
• Review consent applications and compliance reports and provide advice on ecological impacts.
• Provide science advice to support freshwater planning, restoration and protection.
• Collaborate with scientists across coastal, climate, land and water quality domains.
• Communicate findings through reports, maps, presentations and social media.
• Keep up to date with emerging ecological methods and apply them locally.
• Work closely with, and support, the Senior Environmental Scientist – Freshwater Ecology.

This is a fixed term, full-time position, however we will consider part-time hours (minimum of 0.8 FTE, 32 hours per week) for the right candidate. This role can be located in any one of our offices located in Tauranga, Whakatāne or Rotorua. 

The salary range for this role is between $106,994 - $125,876 depending on experience. 

• Ō pūmanawa | Your skills and experience

Essential

• Tertiary qualification in freshwater ecology or a closely related environmental science (MSc or higher preferred)
• At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in freshwater ecology
• Proven experience delivering freshwater ecological monitoring, including one or more of: fish, invertebrates, periphyton, freshwater macroalgae
• Strong technical analysis and reporting skills, with the ability to produce both detailed technical assessments and accessible communication for general audiences
• Proficiency in ecological data analysis (using R or Python preferred)
• Experience designing, delivering or optimising ecological monitoring programmes
• Fieldwork experience in freshwater ecosystems, including leading/ supervising field teams
• A collaborative, proactive approach to problem-solving, teamwork and partnership-based work.

Desirable

• Experience with threatened fish species and critical habitats
• Electrofishing experience/certification
• eDNA sampling and interpretation
• Proficient GIS/ArcPro user, confident with spatial analysis and remote sensing data
• Experience preparing ecological assessments for consent applications or compliance processes.
• Knowledge of freshwater planning, policy and management frameworks.

Other requirements 

•  Full NZ driver licence and ability to use manual 4WD vehicles.

Ko wai mātou | Who we are

Toi Moana 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 human activities on freshwater, land, air and coastal water and supporting the wellbeing of regional communities. 

You’ll join a science-led team within the Strategy & Science Group, working alongside freshwater, coastal, climate, land and water quality scientists. We deliver regionally relevant science, strong cross-sector partnerships and high-quality advice that supports better outcomes for our environment and communities.

Guided by Toi Moana’s values, we work with purpose, professionalism and collaboration. We value relationships, collective impact and bringing science to life for the benefit of our communities — mō te taiao, mō ngā tangata.

Highlights of working with us include:

• Varied and challenging work.
• A supportive and collaborative work environment.
• Flexibility with the way you work.
• A competitive remuneration and leave package, including additional paid leave over Christmas/New Year, employer paid insurance, well-being initiatives. 
• A commitment to supporting you grow and develop.
• In-house leadership, cultural and technical training.
  
• Staff social clubs and an active staff association.
• Strong national networks across regional councils and central government agencies.

Me pēhea te tuku tono  | How to Apply

Click APPLY NOW or for more information contact Dr Kirsty McGregor, Science Team Leader at Kirsty.McGregor@boprc.govt.nz.

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/2s3kzck2

NB: To apply for this job, you must have the legal right to be able to work in New Zealand. Applicants must also hold a current, valid full driver's licence with manual driving qualification. 

As this position is designated as being "safety sensitive", the successful candidate will need to pass a pre-employment drug and alcohol screening test as part of the recruitment process.

Applications close 11pm, Sunday 29 March 2026 and will only be accepted online.