Environmental Monitoring Scientist - Hydrology

Hamilton | Science | Full Time

75,000 - 85,000 NZD per year

Posted a week ago | Apply before June 14, 2026

The position is available for a newbie or experienced Hydrologist in the Environmental Monitoring team at WRC.

You will be collecting river level, flow and rainfall data from our instruments. You need to methodically and accurately collect data using a range of different electronic and mechanical instrumentation, in all weathers. The role requires you to maintain the equipment, sites and telemetry systems used to collect the data.

You will be based in Hamilton, but our sites cover the whole of the Waikato and will involve some overnight stays – one day you could be in the Coromandel, the next in Taupŋ, the King Country or Raglan.

Although there is a lot of physically demanding fieldwork, all our data needs to be processed and quality checked in the office so being IT literate is a must. You will need to process data in a timely and accurate manner following set procedures.

Your systems and data knowledge will enable you to identify issues with the data or equipment and propose solutions to fix the problems.

Health and safety is at the forefront of everything we do at WRC, whether working on your own, or as part of a team. You will utilise your field knowledge to collect data safely and offer suggestions to improve the safety and efficiency of our sites.

Waikato regional Council (WRC) have developed a trainee hydrologist pathway that provides an opportunity for people with the right skills and aptitude to become qualified on the job. A combination of in-house and classroom training will help you gain the knowledge to undertake the Diploma in Field Hydrology, required for this role.

All training, PPE, tools and course fees are provided by WRC.

Experienced Hydrologist:
At least 5 years hydrology experience including completion of the diploma in field hydrology or able to demonstrate equivalent training and experience.

The following links provide an indication of some of the tasks you will be carrying out (this is just a subset of what you will be required to do).

• Trainee Hydrologist:
  Band D-F ($57,488 - $89,245)
• Experienced Hydrologist:
  Band F-G ($75,858 - $103,476)

A degree in natural, physical, environmental sciences or a related field is desirable.

Minimum Experience for trainee: NCEA level 2 and some workforce experience.

Have NZ residency or a valid NZ work visa.

Have a Full NZ Driver’s license – able to drive a manual vehicle.

Be in good physical health and a capable swimmer (competency testing will be undertaken).

Enjoy being part of a team.

Have great communication skills.

Be able to use initiative.

Be competent and focused on identifying health and safety issues.

Take pride in their workmanship.

The position is in the Hydrology Team, in the Environmental Monitoring (EM) Section of the Science, Policy and Information Directorate at WRC.

The team measures, processes and quality checks flow/level of rivers and lakes as well as rainfall data.

The wider EM section is the centre of excellence for Council’s environmental monitoring, including Hydrology, Water Quality, Ecology and Environmental Data management.

Applications will be reviewed as they come in, and this role will close on Sunday 14 June 2026
.