Applicant Information Sheet
Vacancy: 50/4411 Freshwater Science Advisor
About: Department of Conservation http://www.doc.govt.nz/ The
Department of Conservation (DOC) is the central government organisation
charged with conserving the natural and historic heritage of New Zealand on
behalf of and for the benefit of present and future New Zealanders.
Our mission is "to conserve New Zealand's natural and historic heritage for all
to enjoy now and in the future" and our vision is to help make “New Zealand
the greatest living space on Earth”.
About the Science and Technical Group
The Science & Technical Group provides coordinated support, technical
knowledge and science across the Department in order to achieve delivery of
operational priorities in the areas of visitor assets, recreation, historic, marine
ecosystems and species, freshwater, monitoring, threats and terrestrial
ecosystems and species. Key functions of the group are to develop innovative
new tools, systems and information to deliver nationally coherent outcomes
for conservation, build new and maintain current scientific and technical
knowledge and broker with others to leverage the opportunities they present
to maximise conservation outcomes.
Freshwater Team
From July 2012 freshwater conservation science and technical advice across
the Department will be provided by one national freshwater team, within the
Department’s Science & Technical Group. The Freshwater team is located
across three service centres (Hamilton, Wellington and Christchurch) and
three distributed locations (Invercargill, Nelson and Whangarei). The team
consists of three science and eight technical advisors with a broad range of
skills and experience.
The Freshwater team seeks to provide strategic advice, investigations and
support of freshwater conservation both on and off public conservation land.
The key focus areas for freshwater technical support and research are:
 Freshwater ecosystems;
 Threatened freshwater species; and
 Threats to freshwater conservation values.
DOCDM-985946
Information Sheet for Freshwater Science Advisor position
Specific information about the job
We are seeking a highly motivated person to lead and develop a research
programme that will contribute to achieving a ‘dramatic change and
improvement in freshwater conservation’.
The successful candidate will be passionate about freshwater conservation and
will both carry out, and commission, scientific research and specialist advice
across a range of challenging and exciting freshwater conservation issues. The
ability to translate scientific knowledge into practical management actions will
be vital, as will the ability to engage and communicate effectively with a range
of Department staff and stakeholders across a variety of work programmes.
We are seeking a researcher who:




Exhibits leadership in freshwater conservation with an ability to
influence conservation managers and policy;
Has strong inter-personal skills including a history of fostering of interagency collaboration on key freshwater projects;
Has a high level of understanding of the current and future threats to the
conservation of freshwater ecosystems in New Zealand, and of the
opportunities to make significant conservation gains; and
Has experience in the investigation of ecological processes and species
interactions at the ecosystem and bioregional level
The ideal candidate will have the following skills, experience and attributes:











a postgraduate qualification in freshwater conservation
experience in undertaking research on freshwater ecosystems or
threatened species.
proven project management experience including contract management.
strong problem solving skills.
strong statistical and data analysis skills.
excellent written and oral communication skills, enabling the writing
and presentation of high quality reports and other material.
the ability to coach, influence and work with others to implement
required changes.
a passion for excellence with a strong customer focus.
excellent organisation and prioritisation skills.
a strong desire to foster innovation and to deliver results.
strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work closely and
collaboratively in a team.
Experience of working with tangata whenua will be an advantage.
The particular research areas that would complement the existing team
include:, eco-hydrology and holistic flow setting, setting of water quantity and
quality limits, GIS data analysis and modelling and lake ecosystems.
DOCDM-985946
Information Sheet for Freshwater Science Advisor position
Applicants with other freshwater research experience are still encouraged to
apply.



Location: The position can be based at Hamilton, Wellington or
Christchurch.
Travel: Regular travel around New Zealand is expected, and on
occasions internationally.
Likely appointment salary range: We expect to make an
appointment in the range $60,000 to $76,000 within salary bands that
range from $55,000 to $87,000.
Application Submission
Please send your application package, quoting reference number 50/4411 to
Sandra Griffiths (Sgriffiths@doc.govt.nz ):
No later than mid day on Friday 15 June 2012.
Your application package must include:



PER 1 Application form
Curriculum Vitae with evidence of the required competencies and
a covering letter outlining why you would like this position
For further information contact Rosemary Miller, Freshwater Manager;
rmiller@doc.govt.nz; phone: 06 7597183
DOCDM-985946
Information Sheet for Freshwater Science Advisor position
Background Information and Application Guidance
Recent changes in the Department of Conservation
During 2011 the Department of Conservation underwent an organisational
review which resulted in a new business model. The Department wants to
inspire and involve others to work together to achieve more conservation than
what we could achieve alone. The new changes to the business model support
this approach.
The changes also improve our effectiveness and efficiency. Instead of
providing a set of support and service specialists for each conservancy, we will
pool these resources and share them across conservancies. This brings:



greater organisation-wide focus and consistency in our support and
service of conservation – helping us be more effective;
more efficient support and service functions – so we can spend more of
our budget on conservation delivery; and
greater learning and collaboration within specialist teams, and amongst
teams – boosting innovation and our standard of service.
The new business model will be operating from 1 July 2012.
Our new approach for conservation
DOC’s new business model is about us working more with communities, with
iwi, and exploring new possibilities with territorial authorities and businesses
– to help expand the conservation that happens across New Zealand.
We need to carry on doing all the work we do now. But by working in
partnership with others and encouraging more players in conservation, we can
achieve more than twice as much as we can just working on our own.
Developing new systems and transitioning our work
Rather than our existing system of having specialists that provide support in
each conservancy, the new way means bringing these people together in the
main service centres of Hamilton, Wellington and Christchurch (plus
additional Permissions/Statutory Land Management specialist teams based in
Hokitika and Dunedin).
Some specialist staff will continue to be based in conservancy locations, but
will operate as part of an organisation-wide team based in a service-centre.
These staff can help bring local perspectives to that team’s work, and be
available for field visits and liaison with regional agencies where needed.
Being part of this wider team, they can draw on others when they need
additional support; and benefit from the experience of other team members
doing similar work across all of New Zealand.
DOCDM-985946
Information Sheet for Freshwater Science Advisor position
DOC’s support and operations staff are currently developing the details of how
the new system will operate for each functional area. These staff are also
working through the transition of current work and projects into the new
system.
We will have more details as these are developed in the coming months. We
will then train staff and others around using the new shared service systems
before they roll out on 1 July 2012
DOC’s Employment Philosophy

Good and safe working conditions

DOC is committed to equal employment opportunities and growing a
diverse skilled workforce that represents the communities it serves

DOC is committed to upholding the principles of Te Tiriti O Waitangi and
providing an environment where diversity is welcomed and valued

Opportunities for the development of the abilities of individual employees

Recognition of the aims and aspirations, and the cultural differences of all
ethnic or minority groups

Recognition of the employment requirements of women
Benefits of working with DOC

Work for a diverse organisation with offices spread from northern to the
most southern areas

Transfers, secondments, learning and development opportunities

DOC accommodation in remote and not-so remote locations, DOC
employees entitled to stay in DOC huts.

DOC Social Clubs are alive and well in many locations around NZ where
staff participate social gatherings.

Recognition of long service

Partnership of quality agreement with unions which means good
relationship with unions (Public Services Association and Amalgamated
Workers Union of New Zealand)
Standard Information


Written requests for access to, or corrections of personal information,
in terms of the Privacy Act, should be addressed to the office at which
applications closed.
If your application is successful, your provisional appointment will be
notified in the “DOC Gazette” with an appointment review period of 14
days. If no reviews are lodged, or if any lodged are not upheld, your
appointment will then be confirmed.
DOCDM-985946
Information Sheet for Freshwater Science Advisor position



If your application is successful, you may be required to provide copies
of: birth certificate or passport, if applicable, a certificate of NZ
citizenship, permanent residence permit or work permit; and
certificates of educational qualifications.
For some vacancies you may be requested to authorise a security
clearance and/or complete a health assessment as part of the
application process.
You will be advised in writing, via email, of the outcome of your
application.
Guide to preparing a Curriculum Vitae


Please ensure your CV provides evidence of your competence in the five
capability areas relevant to the position and detailed in the role
description. Note, you may use examples gained through community,
family or unpaid work to demonstrate your capability.
Your CV should be in A4 format, stapled and not bound. It will be holepunched and photocopied on receipt. CVs will become the property of
the Department and will not be returned unless specifically requested.
DOCDM-985946
Information Sheet for Freshwater Science Advisor position