Senior Customs Officer Grade One

**_Interested in joining the Investigations team that contributes to disrupting and dismantling transnational serious organised crime groups involved in drug trafficking?_**

The New Zealand Customs Service protects and promotes New Zealand through world class border management. We aim to create a great place to work, where our people have a sense of belonging and the capability and desire to meet our future challenges.

We're looking for Senior Customs Officers (G1) for our Drug Investigations team. You'll be someone who is able to work independently, participate, and cooperate with other team members in order to achieve team goals and objectives.

**About the role | Mō tēnei tūranga mahi**

Our Customs Drug Investigators are at the heart of preventing drugs from reaching our communities and putting a stop to the harm they cause to New Zealand. We're looking for high performing, highly motivated staff to join our Wellington based team. You'll be involved in investigating serious border related offences involving the importation and exportation of controlled drugs.

This role is intellectually challenging and requires individuals who are conscientious, adaptable with good attention to detail. At Grade 1 Senior Customs Officers must take responsibility in managing their own and others' skills, knowledge and expertise to ensure a multi-skilled team approach. They are required to receive and act upon information and intelligence in an effective manner and to maintain close working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

You will primarily be based in the Custom House building in Wellington CBD, although you will be out in the field and working in diverse environments, and at times unpredictable hours. The salary range for this role is $69,270 - $86,742 plus an annual allowance of $16,286 for working unpredictable hours. Mid-point or competent for the range is $77,466 plus the allowance.

**What you'll be doing | He aha tāu e mahi ana**

Customs investigators oversee a full range of investigative activities including:

- Participating in planning and executing operational activity
- Undertaking inquiries, interviews, and arresting offenders
- Managing evidence and preparing files to an evidentially high standard
- Preparing prosecution files and giving evidence in court - being a confident public speaker is important for this role
- Working out in the field and in diverse environments, and at times working unpredictable hours (such as long hours, weekends and public holidays and travelling at short notice)

**About you | Ko wai koe**

We're looking for highly motivated and self-driven people who care about their team, work well with others and have genuine interest in helping the Drugs team succeed. You will offer effective problem solving and decision-making capabilities and be able to mitigate risks effectively. Having excellent interpersonal skills, using both verbal and non-verbal communication techniques to ensure clarity of message and achieve the desired result are essential.

**We're looking for people who**:

- Have an enforcement background ideally with some experience in contributing to operational activity
- Is methodical and dedicated to working to a high standard, and with the utmost care
- Displays sound judgement and levelheadedness - you'll be able to handle sensitive information
- Can be flexible and agile
- Have good knowledge of relevant Customs and other legislations
- Have good technical skills and computer literacy, and ability to navigate the different Customs systems and database
- Are methodical and dedicated to working to a high standard, and with the utmost discretion
- Are self-driven with strong work ethics

**What's involved | Ngā paearu hei tono**

As part of the recruitment process, you will need to pass a medical test and the NZ Police Physical Competency Test (PCT). The PCT is a timed obstacle course, requiring you to do a variety of tasks from climbing a wall, to dragging a weight, to jumping through a window.

You must have a background history that is verifiable and can be assessed as appropriate by the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service towards a recommendation of suitability for security clearance at a higher level.

Already having Confidential clearance is a benefit, but not a requirement.

Due to the nature of Customs work you must have a clear Police record. Successful applicants are also required to pass a medical assessment and drug test and must hold a full NZ Drivers' licence.

**Working at Customs | Mahi ki te Mana Ārai o Aotearoa**

If shortlisted, you will be asked to complete online psychometric testing as part of the process.

**Applications close on Friday 1 August 2025 at 5pm.**

**Job details**:

- Reference #
- 45249
- Posted on
- 18 Jul 2025
- Closes on
- 01 Aug 2025
- Location(s)
- Wellington
- Expertise
- Investigations
- Job level(s)
- Entry Level, Experienced
- Work type(s)
- Permanent Full Time
- Additional attachment