Kōrero mō te Tūranga - About the Role
The working life of a Fishery Officer is varied and interesting enforcement role. On any given day you may find yourself patrolling the beaches and boat ramps, interacting with the public, inspecting recreational and/or commercial fishing vessels, preparing a file for prosecution, taking part in a surveillance operation, gathering intelligence on fisheries offending, and/or analysing fisheries information. Developing and maintaining relationships with tangata whenua and stakeholder groups who use the fisheries resource is also an important aspect of this role. We are looking for someone with a passion for our marine environment and ensuring it is sustainably utilised and protected for future generations.
This role is challenging and varied, and this is what we expect from our frontline staff:
- This is not an 8am-5pm officed based role. We expect our staff to target risk and use their initiative to get out into the field, detect offending and take those responsible to task
- Work under the direction of your District Manager and with experience develop your own work plans and strategies dealing with the issues and priorities in our area
- Be responsible for the education, monitoring and inspection activities across the Fisheries sector
- Interpretate and enforce all relevant fisheries legislation within the fisheries compliance environment
- Detect, investigate, and take action against breaches of Fisheries legislation
- Collate, interpret, and monitor fishing related information and electronic data
- Effectively communicate and develop professional working relationships at all levels of the community and the fishing industry
- You do not need to meet all the role requirements to apply. We offer a breadth of development and learning opportunities and will welcome an application if you think you could make a great fit
If successfully shortlisted, you will need to attend an all-day assessment centre in Tauranga on Saturday 1st March 2025.
If shortlisted for a final interview, you will also need to be able to attend this in person, in Hamilton on either Thursday 6th or Friday 7th March 2025.
Candidates will be asked to complete a Physical Competency Test during the assessment centre, as part of the recruitment process. The Physical Competency Test requirements are detailed in the attached job description.
Please consider your availability for these dates before applying. We anticipate the successful candidates to start mid April 2025.
Mō tō mātou Rōpū - About the Team
You will be joining the Whitianga team, an integral part of the Waikato / Tauranga / Coromandel district and part of the North Region. The Whitianga team covers from Waihi Beach around the Coromandel peninsula meeting up with the Auckland team at Waitakruru. They work alongside teams in Tauranga and Hamilton. We are mostly fishery officers, with support staff, and a district manager. The team comes from a variety of backgrounds and are generally people who enjoy time in the outdoors, on the water, engaging with people, and problem solving. We are a driven and passionate team who work hard but like to have fun together and celebrate success.
Mōu - About You
Fishery Officers will have an interest in the marine environment and some knowledge of how the New Zealand Fisheries framework system works. This is an opportunity to combine problem solving with sustainability. You may have studied some Marine Biology, enjoy fishing or diving, trace a special relationship to the moana through generations, have an operational background, have worked in enforcement, or maybe it's something else that inspires you to this role.
You will:
- Be an achiever in both an individual and team context
- Be able to work unsociable hours (weekends and during the night) when required and in differing environments. This also includes being on call to attend to complaints from the public
- The ability to communicate with diverse cultures
- Be able to operate in confrontational situations
- Have the ability, when necessary, to travel away overnight, at times at short notice
- Be available for domestic and international Fishery patrol deployments on Navy, Airforce, or other government assets
- Have analytical experience and an enquiring mind-set
- Have an understanding of the Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its importance in a NZ Fisheries context
- Have knowledge and interest in the marine environment and the NZ Fisheries framework
- Be competent in the use of the Microsoft Office suite of programmes
- Have passion, motivation and drive for the role
Mō te Manatū Ahu Matua - About MPI
We're passionate about growing prosperity in the sector while ensuring respect for Kaitiaki – guardianship of our natural resources.
MPI has a focus on career pathways and we will work with you to help you grow.
To find out more about the Ministry and what we do please click here
Ngā hua o te mahi i te Manatū Ahu Matua - Benefits of working at MPI
- Additional MPI leave days
- Ability to purchase extra annual leave
- We have a comprehensive role specific training programme this is delivered online and has a 3-week residential portion. Training continues throughout the role
- Ngā Taki Whakahaumaru - Security checks
Higher level Security Clearance
most preferably a NZ citizen who has resided continuously in NZ for at least the last ten (10) years, OR
is a citizen of, and/or has resided continuously in one or more of the following countries for the last ten (10) years: either Australia, Canada, NZ, UK or the USA; and has a background history that is verifiable and can be assessed as appropriate by the NZSIS towards a recommendation of suitability for a security clearance at a higher level.
click here to find out more about the national security vetting process and access the eligibility self-check tool
If you do not meet these minimum criteria, we will not be able to accept your application.
Whakamātau Whakapōauau me te Waipiro - Drug and Alcohol Screening
As this position is safety sensitive the preferred applicant/s for the position will be required to undergo a drug and alcohol pre-employment screening test. Further information on this process can be found on our careers site under the application process, on pre-employment checks page.
Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi whaitake? - Are you ready to make a difference?We are committed to being a good partner under Te Tiriti o Waitangi which includes working closely with iwi, hapū, whanau and hāpori.
We aspire to reflect the diverse communities we serve, so we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, and identities. As an organisation, we are committed to making Manatū Ahu Matua a great place to work for all.
In your cover letter we'd like to know about you, your values, your interest and motivations for this role; the abilities, strengths, personal attributes, and diverse perspectives you will bring to the role and this organisation, which may have also been gained outside of the workforce.
To view the position description and/or apply online, please click “APPLY FOR THIS JOB” or visit the MPI Careers Site. To apply, you must hold the right to work in New Zealand or be eligible to obtain it – click here to find out more about work visa eligibility and options.
Applications close at midnight 9 February 2025
If you have any questions about the role, please email Aymon.McQuade@mpi.govt.nz
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