Senior Ecologist

Mō tō mātou āhuatanga | Who we are

Tonkin + Taylor is New Zealand's leading engineering and environmental consultancy, renowned for our technical excellence in solving complex challenges.

We are proudly a New Zealand, employee-owned company and our collective mission is to create and sustain a better world.

At T+T, we strongly believe that it's our people that keep our clients coming back. Our staff are known for delivering award-winning solutions, working collaboratively, and delivering exceptional outcomes for our clients. They are our greatest asset, and we invest in their development, well-being, and their career aspirations.

We are proud to have a diverse Ecology + Water Science consulting team in New Zealand with a range of technical specialists, and with that comes great collaboration and opportunities for our staff

Kei te hiahia mātou ki ōu pūkenga | We want your skills
Our Ecology & Water Science team is heavily involved in the Te Ara o

Te Ata:

Mt Messenger Bypass project near New Plymouth and we are looking for a Senior Ecologist to join the project team.

We are seeking an ecologist with a minimum of 8-10 years professional experience across the fields of terrestrial and/or freshwater ecology, with experience working on infrastructure projects.

You'll be working on a challenging and exciting project, and your role will primarily involve leading a team of ecologists to implement the ecological management activities required to support the construction of the SH3 Mt Messenger Bypass.

You will have the opportunity to work with a range of threatened NZ fauna groups (bats, birds (including kiwi), invertebrates, lizards and freshwater fish) and have the opportunity to be involved in a large multi-disciplinary project, with a diverse fieldwork programme and work with a great team of technical specialists.

We would love to know what gets you out of bed in the morning to help you shape this role for yourself and to suit your strengths, but as a starting point the sort of work you can expect to be involved will include:

• Terrestrial habitat assessments
• Weed + pest surveys and monitoring
• Terrestrial fauna surveys and monitoring (bats, birds (including kiwi), invertebrates and lizards
• Species relocation and translocation
• Freshwater surveys and monitoring
• Supervision of vegetation clearance activities
• Development and implementation of Ecological Management and Monitoring Plans
• Planning and coordinating fieldwork activities in collaboration with the Te Ara o Te Ata construction team, with support from the project Environmental Manager and Environmental Coordinator
• Leading and organising a team of ecologists to implement ecological management activities for the project
• Report writing, including preparation of technical reports, compliance reports, ecological management plans and assessment of ecological effects reports
• Data collection, management and information presentation
• Liaison with T+T staff, Council personnel and DOC representatives
• Engagement with mana whenua and incorporation of Mātauranga Māori into project work
• Liaison with Te Ara o Te Ata Alliance staff, working within a multidisciplinary team and attendance at team meetings

This full-time position will commence in February 2023 and will be based in New Plymouth, at the Mt Messenger project office in Bell Block.

Kei te whakapono mātou ki tō whanaketanga | We want to develop you

We will provide you with training and mentoring, and we also promote an open culture where innovation and lateral thinking is encouraged.

Tonkin + Taylor is a company where you can feel comfortable asking others for advice and where people are equally willing to listen to your ideas.

Nā tōu rourou | What you'll bring**- A minimum of a Bachelors degree in Ecology, Zoology, Botany or closely related discipline, MSc desirable

• A minimum 8 years' professional work experience in a consulting, regulatory and / or research environment
• Previous experience working on infrastructure projects and implementing ecological management aspects
• High level of organisation, time management, able to manage competing demands in a fast paced work environment
• Experience preparing technical ecology reports, including compliance reports
• Experience collecting a range of ecological data, data management and record keeping
• GIS skills and digital mapping competencies
• Leadership skills you need to work well with others, be an effective leader with strong, positive communication skills. Previous experience leading a field team preferable.
• Excellent communication skills and able to confidently communicate with a range of parties including Council, Doc and local Iwi representatives
• Be backcountry competent and comfortable working in remote and rough terrain
• Be adaptable and flexible to working hours evening and dawn work expected due to the nature of the work
• Be Health and Safety conscious you will also be expe

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