Environmental Monitoring Scientist - Wetlands

Hamilton | Science | Full Time

76,000 - 85,000 NZD per year

Posted 2 weeks ago | Apply before October 13, 2026

The position is in the Ecology Team  will be part of a team who measure, analyse, and report on the health of terrestrial areas, rivers, lakes, streams, wetlands and geothermal areas across the Waikato region. The information collected is used by WRC scientists, and the government for managing peoples’ and the environments’ wellbeing. You will be based in Hamilton, but our sites cover the whole of the Waikato region – one day you could be in the Coromandel, the next in Taupō, the King Country or Raglan.

Health and safety are 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. Our health and safety training also covers survival and rescue in swift water; therefore, you will need to be a capable swimmer (competency testing will be undertaken).

Although there is fieldwork, all our data needs to be processed and quality checked. IT literacy is a must along with an aptitude for the environment and science. You will need to process and analyse data to support State of the Environment (SOE) monitoring. Reporting writing skills would also be valuable in this role as you will assist in writing technical reports.

Based in Hamilton with opportunities for field work across the Waikato region.

Field work can be physically demanding.

Mapping wetlands using GIS applications

Undertaking wetland condition monitoring including bird, vegetation and pest surveys.

Collecting, processing and quality checking wetland data including spatial data.

Working away from home from time to time

Working with landowners for ground truthing of wetlands and for setting up condition monitoring sites

Aptitude for the environment and science.

GIS skills or willingness to learn.

Physically fit.

Previous experience in vegetation and animal surveys.

Demonstrates ability to inspire confidence in leading work and providing advice.

Able to communicate well with a wide variety of audiences.

Able to make clear decisions that lead to a satisfactory delivery of results.

Knowledge of and respect for tangata whenua perspectives and cultural assessments

A tertiary qualification or degree in natural, physical, or environmental sciences or related discipline.

Minimum 2 years’ experience.

Drivers licence.

Capable swimmer (competency testing will be undertaken).

Excellent communication skills – written and verbal.

GIS experience is desirable including use of field-based applications.

Previous experience in wetland plant identification and wetland classification is highly desirable.

Previous experience with identifying hydric soils is desirable

The position is in the Ecology Team at WRC.

Our team measures, analyses, and reports on the health of terrestrial areas, rivers, lakes, streams, wetlands and geothermal areas across the Waikato region.

The information collected is used by WRC scientists, and the government for managing peoples’ and the environments’ wellbeing.

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.

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.

Applications will be reviewed as they come in, and this role will close on Tuesday 13 October 2026.