Team Leader Air & Terrestrial Sciences

In partnership with our community, Environment Southland (Southland Regional Council) is responsible for the sustainable management of Southland's natural resources - our land, our water, our air and our coast. As a Regional Council we operate across a large geographical region which extends from Stewart Island to Fiordland.

We currently have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Team Leader Air & Terrestrial Sciences.

About the role:

The role of the Team Leader Air & Terrestrial Sciences contributes to the overall performance of the Science Investigations and Operations Team by leading the Air and Terrestrial Sciences teamwork programme comprising of: air quality, soils and land, wetlands, and terrestrial ecology.

This role focuses on:

As a Team Leader, you will work in the Air, Land, Ecology, and Climate Change science and information space, leading and working as part of a multi-disciplinary team. A key responsibility will be to develop science capacity to meet strategic outcomes. This will require the ability to develop and maintain key supporting relationships and to convey complex information to multiple audiences. Your knowledge across the sciences combined with your systems thinking ability will enable pathways to be explored for your and other teams to contribute and develop unique, robust solutions for a range of simple to complex issues. You will need to have a high/expert level of understanding and experience in Soil and Land science, with the ability to coordinate, translate and communicate general science effectively and have the ability to mentor and develop staff.

What you'll bring:

• A post-graduate qualification (MSc or PhD) is required in a relevant science discipline.
• A minimum of 9-10 years relevant experience.
• A high level of project management experience, experience with meeting project deadlines.
• Demonstrated team leadership/ management skills.
• Knowledge of the key environmental issues of the Southland region.
• A broad and thorough understanding of air quality, soils and land, freshwater and climate change.
• Demonstrated competence in environmental science
• A good understanding of relevant resource management legislation.
• Ability to produce useful scientific outputs and advice to a high professional standard.
• Experience working with stakeholders, community groups and Iwi.
• Ability to develop and maintain strategic research collaborations.
• An ability to think strategically, and to develop a strong organisational focus.
• Skilled at communicating effectively - particularly listening, writing, and networking with diverse groups and individuals.
• Experience in coordinating various natural resource science disciplines and articulating the information in complex resource management issues.
• A high level of presentation skills and ability to tailor science to a wide range of audiences.
• Understanding of environmental database systems and proven ability for innovation in information dissemination and willing to share information.
• Proven ability in the use of computers, spreadsheets, GIS and modelling packages and analytical methods.
• Full current driver's license

Why Choose Environment Southland?

We have a lifestyle that is second to none, with easy access to beaches, rivers, lakes, ski fields, national parks and first-class sports facilities. We pride ourselves on the support we give our team to ensure a good work‑life balance is a priority. And with affordable real estate, short commutes and a great range of schools on offer there is something here for everyone!

An initial offer of remuneration will be made within the range $119,800. - $126,540.

How to apply

To download the PD, and to apply for this job go to: https://environmentsouthland.recruitmenthub.co.nz/Vacancies

Please ensure you upload your CV and cover letter. Your cover letter will be a key part of our assessment process, so please highlight how your experience relates to the key skills required for this role.

Applications close: 9 August 2026

Working at Environment Southland requires all of our staff to uphold the council's Te Tiriti o Waitangi responsibilities as part of their day-to-day role. This might be through the appropriate delivery of functions through various legislation where Te Tiriti o Waitangi or partnering with mana whenua is required or upholding the commitments that our elected councillors have made to Ngāi Tahu ki Murihiku through the Charter of Understanding.