Catchment Management Lead - Waipā and Central Waikato

Mō te tūranga | About the role

• This role is based in our Hamilton office.

• Provides key local leadership and delivery for our catchment management programmes.

• This role oversees and contributes to the delivery of catchment management programmes in the Waipā and Central Waikato Zones, providing leadership to catchment staff and building capability within the unit.

• It focuses on integrated catchment management, soil and water conservation, sub‑catchment planning, and biodiversity enhancement, while fostering strong community partnerships.

• It involves the development and implementation of high-priority site, property, and restoration plans, and the management of on-ground projects.

• The position also contributes to the regional catchment management programme and leads or supports special projects that strengthen programme delivery and the section and directorates overall success.

Mō te tangata | About you

• Bring energy and a drive to deliver catchment management and restoration excellence.

• Experienced people leader, supporting a positive team culture in your immediate team, office and the wider Catchment Management Team.

• Use your collaboration skills to work with peers to connect with iwi, key stakeholder and communities to deliver innovative and effective catchment management programmes of work.

• Have attention to detail to oversee budgets, reporting and project delivery.

Mō ngā pūkenga | Qualifications and experience

• A degree qualification in natural resource management, physical or environmental sciences.

• You must have a minimum of 5 years’ experience in catchment management, soil and water improvements, and or biodiversity and biosecurity.

• Proven ability to build teams and connect across work functions.

• Full Current Driver's Licence.

Mō te tīma | About the team

• Lead a small, dedicated team of catchment management officers who work directly with landowners, community groups and Iwi to promote and support catchment management and protection works.

• Contribute to the Waikato, Waipa and West Coast Catchments leadership team and wider team culture. Connect and work with our regional river and catchment management teams.

• Connect and work with our regional flood protection and operations Infrastructure teams.

Mō mātou | About us

• We work hard to care for the mighty Waikato, so current and future generations will benefit from a healthy environment, strong economy, and vibrant communities.

• Our mahi is as diverse as the region we care for and the people who share it. Our work helps look after our region's water, soil, air, geothermal areas and coasts - so we can all enjoy these precious resources for generations to come.

• Customers sit at the heart of everything we do, and all staff have an important role to play in the delivery of exceptional customer service. 

• If you’d like to understand more about what we do please click here The work we do | Waikato Regional Council.

• By partnering with iwi and working with many others in our communities, our collective kaitiakitanga will make the Waikato region even better.

• Together, we’ll create a sustainable future that will make a positive difference to people’s lives.

Mō te tuku tono | How to apply

• Applications will be reviewed as they come in, and this role will close on Sunday 7 December 2025.

• For a copy of the role description, please click here.

• If you have any questions about the role, please contact [email protected]

• Please click ‘apply’ and include your CV & cover letter as a pdf.

• Apply now!