Principal Geospatial Specialist

Kōrero mō te tūranga - About the role

Now is an exciting time to join the New Zealand Hydrographic Authority (NZHA), part of Toitū Te Whenua. We are seeking a Principal Geospatial Specialist to provide work leadership for our Chart Production Squad, driving operational excellence in delivering New Zealand's critical navigational safety products.

This is a work leadership role focused on planning, delivery management, and operational excellence. You will lead an experienced team, ensuring increment plans are realistic and effectively delivered while working with Agile techniques across Value Streams. You will be responsible for New Zealand's navigational charting products including paper charts, electronic navigational charts (ENCs), notices to mariners, and the nautical almanac.

You will also have the opportunity to contribute your expertise to our exciting Maritime Digital Transformation (MDT) programme. The NZHA is undergoing a major transformation to develop truly data-centric systems that align with emerging international hydrographic standards and technologies. This 4-year work programme is fully funded by NZ government and supports the International Hydrographic Organisation's 'S-100 Implementation Decade'. It will shape the future of navigation through new processes and next generation digital products. Your role will be to enable and lead squad participation in this transformation while maintaining operational delivery.

This role combines work leadership with deep nautical charting expertise. You will provide technical direction for chart production processes and quality standards while managing operational delivery. You will work alongside the Home Lead (responsible for people leadership) and Senior Leaders to build squad capability and engage closely with maritime stakeholders to ensure our products meet New Zealand's international SOLAS obligations.

What you'll do

• Lead delivery of New Zealand's navigational charting products and ensure increment plans are achieved
• Manage work programme, production schedules, and targets to meet SOLAS obligations through effective delegation
• Provide technical leadership for chart production processes, data quality, and continuous improvement initiatives
• Ensure effective quality control processes and manage complex hydrographic data manipulation
• Engage with maritime stakeholders and contribute to IHO standards development and S-100 Implementation
• Coach, mentor, and share technical expertise to build squad capability

He pūkenga tou - Skills & Experience

Work Leadership & Operational Delivery

• At least 5 years of leadership experience managing operational production teams delivering maritime/hydrographic products
• Strong track record in work planning, delivery management, and managing day-to-day workloads with resource/budget constraints
• Proven experience implementing operational improvements and successfully delivering within Agile environments

Nautical Charting Domain Expertise

• Deep understanding of IHO standards and specifications for hydrographic products
• In-depth knowledge of chart production lifecycle (paper charts, ENCs) and SOLAS obligations
• Experience with Maritime Safety Information, notices to mariners, and hydrographic production data

Technical & Stakeholder Capabilities

• Strong customer-centric approach with excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills
• Experience with complex data management in geographic/hydrographic databases
• Commitment to coaching, mentoring, and developing staff capability
• Awareness of S-100 standards and emerging hydrographic technologies

Desirable

• IHO Category B Nautical Cartography Qualification
• Technical expertise with Caris Teledyne HPD Suite and ENC Validation Software
• Experience developing automation processes using Python and AI best practices

The annual full-time salary range for this role is $130,000 to $155,000 depending on skills and experience:

Ngā mea e tukuna ana e tātau - What we offer our employees

• Interesting work which impacts Aotearoa as we care for whenua, moana and arawai.
• Wellbeing allowance reimbursement
• Ability to purchase additional leave
• Annual Flu Vaccinations
• Reduced Health Insurance Premiums
• Diverse groups and networks
• If eligible for paid parental leave, you will be entitled to a top up payment for the first 18 weeks of the 26 weeks.
• A minimum of four weeks and three days annual leave

Te Tākinatanga - Our Story

Toitū Te Whenua plays a vital role in understanding, developing, and caring for New Zealand's whenua, moana and arawai (land, sea and waterways). Whether you're developing our products and services to support our customers, managing the Crown estate, engaging with our iwi partners, or helping us be an effective regulator, your contribution can make a difference. Our mahi helps New Zealanders have confidence that the development of our land, communities and country is being planned from an informed and expert position that balances environmental, social, cultural, and economic considerations, now and for future generations.

Our Kia Toipoto Intentions - Public Service Gender, Māori, Pacific and Ethnic Pay Gap Action Plan

Toitū Te Whenua is a diverse team of individuals with different experience and perspectives. This drives our culture and high performance.  We know that people from underrepresented groups and women in particular don't apply for roles if they're not a 100% match, but we're not looking for perfection, we're looking for potential.  As an inclusive and supportive employer, we value difference and want to encourage anyone interested to apply, regardless of whether you tick all the boxes or not. As an organisation we embrace diversity, encourage work life balance and have a flexible approach to the way we work which means you will quickly feel connected and valued.

Tono mai - How to Apply

If you're eyeing up this role and believe you've got what it takes, please apply, or get in touch with the team.

To apply, please click "Apply Online." You'll be taken through to our Toitū Te Whenua Careers Centre where you'll be able to review further information about the responsibilities and accountabilities of this role in the Position Description. You'll be able to complete your online application form and upload a copy of your CV/Cover Letter.

Please note, while applications close on Thursday 11 December 2025, we may be reviewing applications as they are received and may progress with suitable applicants prior to the application closing date. Therefore, please apply as soon as possible if you are interested in this position.

For tracking and evaluation purposes, all applications must be submitted via our on-line process. You must have, or be able to obtain, the legal right to live and work in New Zealandto be eligible for this position.

You may notice that the Position Description title for this role Principal Geospatial Specialist - Level Wha/ 4 doesn't match the advertised title.  At Toitū Te Whenua we design our roles around shared capabilities (rather than focusing on tasks). This means our position descriptions are broad, one position description can cover many roles, this is known as Broad Based Role (BBR). Using BBR allows us to be responsive to our customers and to strengthen the connections across our organisation. It also gives us the flexibility to provide wider opportunities to our people, to further their careers.

If you have any questions about this role or working at Toitū Te Whenua, please email   and our People Services Team will be in touch with you.