Senior Compliance Officer

Job Type: Permanent | Full Time

Location: Christchurch, New Zealand

Job Category: Government, Defence & Emergency

• Lead complex compliance investigations and incident response
• Make real environmental impact across Canterbury
• Central City base with travel across mid-Canterbury

About
Kaunihera Taiao ki Waitaha │ About Environment Canterbury
As a regional council, we are responsible for managing natural resources including air, soil, water and land. We work in partnership with mana whenua Ngāi Tahu to protect the health of our environment to ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for our region.

The region's evolving environmental and political context means we will continue to be agile and adaptive, as we respond to regulatory and environmental changes.

Our mahi (work) is organised around the delivery of our three core services:

• Environmental Regulation and Protection
• Community Preparedness and Response to Hazards
• Public Transport

Kōrero mō te Tūranga
| About the Role
As a Senior Compliance Officer, you'll ensure resource users comply with environmental legislation, including the RMA and regional plan rules. You'll lead monitoring, targeted education, in‑depth investigations, and enforcement actions relating to highly complex activities.

In this key frontline role, you'll respond to community concerns, investigate issues, and ensure compliance with resource consents, the regional plan, and the Resource Management Act. Your work will make a tangible difference for people and the environment.

This role sits in our Central Compliance team based at our Tuam St office in Christchurch and provides a mix of both office and field-based work around Selwyn, Banks Peninsula and Ashburton.

Kay Responsibilities

• Be responsible for helping resource users comply with their resource consents
• You will focus on earthwork disturbances including forestry and new subdivision development
• Attend sites and engage with landowners, contractors and the public
• Gather and record information accurately, using Council databases to identify high risk areas
• Analyse and assess technical data
• Educate resource users on environmental rules and bylaws, providing clear, friendly guidance
• Take enforcement action when necessary, balancing empathy with clarity and transparency
• Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring customers are informed and supported
• Share your knowledge and mentor and train other compliance staff

For more information on this role, please refer to the job description at the bottom of the advert.
Mōu │
About You
You're an experienced compliance professional who brings sound environmental judgement, strong communication skills, and the ability to manage complex issues with confidence. You build positive relationships, navigate challenging conversations, and provide clear, actionable guidance. You'll be empathetic, accountable, adaptable and organised.

Mātau ā-Wheako | Experience
You'll Hold a Tertiary Degree In a Relevant Field (Risk/Compliance Management, Environmental Science, Law, Biology, Etc.), Or At Least Two Years Transferable Experience Along With

• Knowledge of the Resource Management Act 1991
• Compliance monitoring experience
• Project management experience
• Positive and constructive issue-resolution skills
• Environmentally conscious and enjoy working outdoors
• A current full Driver's Licence
• Strong customer service, communication, and conflict management skills
• Ability to read and interpret plans, diagrams, bylaws, and regulations
• Computer database and keyboarding skills

Ngā hua o te Mahi i te Kaunihera Taiao ki Waitaha | Working at Environment Canterbury
Our Mahi Is Underpinned By Our Values

• Kaitiakitanga (stewardship)
• Pononga (integrity)
• Manaakitanga (people first)
• Whanaungatanga (collaboration)
• Māiatanga (can do)

We understand and embrace a diverse workforce; this diversity will enable us to better serve our people, our community, and our greatest taonga, the environment. We value everyone's contribution, diverse thinking, and skills.

We're on a journey to become a treaty partner of excellence, including incorporating te ao Māori into our work. We offer supportive opportunities to develop capability in this area and encourage our people to use kaupapa Māori, mātauranga Māori, and te reo Māori in our daily work. We welcome you with an open heart & mind, wherever you are on your personal te ao Māori journey

Ko ētahi atu kōrero | Additional Information
Applications close on Sunday, 11 January. Short-listed candidates will be required to complete an interview process, reference checks, and a criminal check. Further background checking will be required where relevant to the role.

Due to our annual shut-down from 19 December – 5 January 2026, applications will be reviewed after the 5 January. During this time our recruitment inbox will not be monitored. We look forward to connecting with you in the New Year.

We are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. If you're excited about this role but don't meet every qualification in the job description, we still encourage you to apply.

Me mahi tahi tātou - Together we can
Job Description
Job Description