Senior Ecologist

With over a decade of experience and offices in Kerikeri and Whang?rei, this boutique consultancy is known for its extensive regional knowledge, scientific integrity, and practical solutions. Their work spans ecological surveys, monitoring, ecological effects assessment, effects management and restoration for a wide range of projects. Clients include local and regional councils, national infrastructure and smaller private entities.

You'll be part of a collaborative, forward-thinking team that supports each other, with an open culture and a strong environmental conscience.

Why You'll Love This Role

• This is your opportunity for growth to Principal, plus more. This is a huge opportunity for the right person.
• Full-time permanent position based in Kerikeri or Whang?rei.
• Competitive salary, and a company vehicle for full personal use, as well as other benefits
• Be part of a values-driven consultancy making a real impact across Northland and beyond.
• Work on diverse and meaningful ecological projects, from local developments to major infrastructure.
• Opportunities to work on Nationwide Projects.
• Ongoing support from a network of highly experienced specialists in the Northland Region to help grow your skills and advance your career.
• Professional development is encouraged and funded, which includes attendance at conferences, memberships, training, and certified practitioner support.

Why You'll Love Working Here

This is a place where people and nature thrive together. Our client is a privately owned environmental consultancy driven by science, ethics, and the pursuit of better outcomes for land, people, and biodiversity.

You'll join a tight-knit, knowledgeable, and down-to-earth team that values collaboration and personal growth. Your work will be varied and impactful, and you'll be backed by leaders who care about your success and wellbeing.

What You'll Be Doing

In this role, you'll contribute ecological expertise to a range of community, conservation and development projects across the region. You'll work closely with the NZEM team to deliver high-quality ecological input, advice, and reporting.

• Undertake and lead fieldwork, including ecological assessments, surveys, and monitoring.
• Write high-quality ecological reports, assessments of ecological effects (EcIA), and management plans
• Collect, manage and interpret data from ecological surveys
• Use GIS to map and interpret habitats and ecological values.
• Provide balanced and solutions-focused advice that protects environmental outcomes while working constructively with clients, councils, iwi, and other stakeholders.
• Ensure your work aligns with the relevant national environmental standards (NES), national policy statements (NPS), local and regional environmental strategies, and Resource Management Act (RMA) requirements.
• Work across terrestrial, freshwater, and wetland ecosystems, depending on your experience and interest.
• Receive ongoing support and mentorship from Principal Ecologists who partner with NZEM to help you develop technical and consulting skills.

What You Bring

• A Bachelor's degree or higher in ecology, environmental science, or similar.
• 5+ years' experience in ecological consulting, including strong fieldwork and reporting skills.
• A good understanding of the relevant frameworks that underpin ecological consultancy works (e.g., RMA, local and regional policy and interpretation, and ecological offsetting/mitigation frameworks).
• Solid knowledge of New Zealand native flora, fauna, and ecosystems.
• Proficiency in the Microsoft Suite.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience with the following an advantage:
• Proficiency in GIS software (ArcGIS/QGIS)
• Wetland delineation and freshwater ecology survey expertise
• Understanding and previous experience with managing threatened species, e.g., herpetofauna, bats.
• Application of offset calculation and compensation tools (e.g. BOAM)
• Legislation experience, attendance at council and environmental hearings
• Understanding and experience of relevant wildlife act permitting requirements.

• Full personal use of a company vehicle
• Support through the Certified Environmental Practitioner (CEnvP) Scheme in Australia and New Zealand, offered by the Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand (EIANZ).
• Paid training, memberships, continuing professional development, and conference attendance
• Flexible work environment
• Friendly, open-minded culture with a genuine commitment to the environment

If you're a Senior Ecologist looking to step into a role with purpose, flexibility, and support, this is the opportunity for you. Apply now or contact Linda on for a confidential chat.

Please note: Only applicants currently residing in New Zealand or with the legal right to work here will be considered. We may close this role early, so we encourage early applications.