Restoration Assistant

BACKGROUND

EcoMatters Environment Trust aims to connect people and place and to nurture kaitiakitanga (guardianship). Based in Auckland in Aotearoa New Zealand, EcoMatters is an established charitable trust that was formed in 2002. We work with and for the community to deliver environmental initiatives in partnership with key entities like Auckland Council, the Ministry for the Environment, other not-for-profits and community groups.

We do this by supporting the community with knowledge and tools to restore nature, grow food, reduce waste, ride and fix bikes, and live more sustainably. We also run workshops and provide opportunities for hands-on environmental action in Auckland.

JOB PURPOSE

The role requires a knowledge or passion for practical ngahere restoration approaches conjoined with the ability to collaborate and engage with the community. The role will be undertaken with knowledge and respect of Te Ao Māori, related knowledge systems of indigenous land and water management, with a genuine commitment to upholding the organisation's vision, mission and purpose. As well as a genuine commitment to upholding the principles of Te Tiriti ō Waitangi, in line with the organisation's commitment to this.

Practically the purpose of the Restoration Assistant role is to:

1. Support our Nature team with their mahi.

2. Environmental weed control to support communities within the Bufferzone areas of the Waitākere Ranges.

3. Engage and collaborate with communities to look after our taiao via community events such as Pest Plant roadshows & community workshops.

4. Support with administrative tasks for the Bufferzone project.

It is envisaged that this purpose will be achieved by:

• Engaging residents and other stakeholders in tackling weed control challenges

• Working alongside the community to ensure they have the knowledge and capacity to address local environment challenges and issues at a technical level

• Liaising and supporting other EcoMatters projects as required and looking for linkages and synergies between related inputs, outputs and outcomes

• Providing appropriate ecological expertise and technical support in projects focussed on weed control including the use of GPS and the FieldMaps

• Assess terrain and make solid decisions about the best way to proceed with weed control on site

• Use of herbicides for invasive weed control.

These duties shall be carried out to the specifications and standards required within all appropriate laws and regulations, while maintaining a healthy and safe environment.

STATUS AND HOURS

• Fixed term until the end of June

• Up to 30 hours/ 4 days per week, 7.5 hours

• Dependent on projects, normal hours of work are between Monday to Thursday with some (minimal) weekend work required.

• $ / hour

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

Internal

​​● Team leader of Nature Team, management, staff​

External

​​● Auckland Council​

​​● Consultants, contractors, and private landowners​, members of the public

Reporting

​​● Reports to the Nature Team Leader

• ​Supervised by Bufferzone Senior Weed Ranger in day-to-day operations

​​

HEALTH AND SAFETY

• Undertaking suitable training to be a responsible  health and safety Champion.

• Adhere to EcoMatters health and safety policies and procedures.

• Ensuring prudent safety processes are in place on all sites to ensure a safe and healthy place for staff and visitors.

QUALITY ASSURANCE

• Adhering to the EcoMatters' Employee Handbook

• Supporting and participating in training to ensure EcoMatters has consistency of standards

PERFORMANCE MEASURES

The performance measures of this role are as follows:

Specific goals will be set for the individual and performance will be measured against the goals. These will include key performance indicators (KPIs) related to the following areas:

• Internal relationships with others (as measured by feedback)

• Support to Nature Team Leader and team members

• Collegial focus with other staff and contribution to living EcoMatters values

• Communication skills

• Community engagement

• Feedback from community and Iwi

• Profile of EcoMatters within community groups

• Level of participation in community activities

• Presentation skills and the understanding of protocols

• Technical knowledge of weed control methods

• Obtaining evidence and researching trends

• Looking to meet best practice standards

• Documentation of processes

• Ability to share knowledge

• Contribution to improving the costs and quality of Trust operations through effective management of activities:

• Working to plans

• Using own time in the most productive way

• Managing allocated resources effectively and efficiently

• Always working within delegated authorities

• Efficient reporting

• Health and safety management

• Acting safely at all times

• Reporting unsafe behaviours when observed

• Reporting all hazards, accidents, incidents and near misses

• Achievement of individual targets as set by the Team Leader

Further performance measures, achievement goals and specific KPIs may be progressively set for this role with the Team Leader. An annual review of these measures will be undertaken by the reporting manager.

VARIATION

This is a revised position, and the specifications may be amended from time to time by the CEO or Nature Team Leader, in writing, after consultation with you.

LOCATION

The role is based in the Lookout, 4 Olympic Place, New Lynn and at other sites as required.

TO APPLY

Please send your cover letter, including where you saw this job advertised, and your CV to ASAP. We will be considering applications as they come in, so don't delay.