Job Description
Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role
International flights are coming back to Dunedin!
Are you looking for a job where you can make a real impact?
Are you interested in being on the front line, playing a vital role in securing our borders?
With the re-introduction of international flights in Dunedin we're looking for Trainee Customs Officers for intakes in April 2025. Don't miss this opportunity to start a career with purpose! Apply now to become a Customs Officer and join us in protecting Aotearoa's borders, facilitating travel and trade, and making a real difference. A career at Customs | Te Mana Ārai could take you anywhere.
About this role | Mō tēnei tūranga mahi
Customs | Te Mana Ārai is the government agency responsible for ensuring the security of Aotearoa's borders, regulating international trade, upholding Customs, Immigration and Excise laws. We operate at the forefront of the Aotearoa's security and economic activities.
We believe it's our people that make the difference. Customs | Te Mana Ārai is a "welcome home and a welcome here". People are at the heart of what we do. We believe compliance should be easy to do and hard to avoid. We are here to protect and promote Aotearoa New Zealand through world class border management.
We have a number of full and part time Customs Officer roles available at Dunedin Airport.
What you'll do | He aha tāu e mahi ana
Our Dunedin Border Operations Customs Officers will:
- Screen passengers for the detection of prohibited items such as drugs and objectionable material, security threats to NZ, and goods subject to duty and GST
- Work alongside law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders at the border to combat illegal activities
- Provide professional assistance to international travellers, answering questions and facilitating their transit
- Engage in risk assessment techniques and intelligence gathering to identify potential threats and trends that contribute to the security of NZ
- Have the opportunity to learn and contribute to other key Customs tasks across the breadth of the Service
This role will involve some rostered weekend work to cover arriving and departing flight schedules. While you will be working to a roster, initially your shifts will most likely fall between 0700 and 1900hrs.
Pay rates:
As a Customs Officer working in our Dunedin Border Operations team, your base salary will be $58,718 per annum. Penal rates may be applicable for ordinary hours and overtime is payable for additional hours worked. Additionally, an annual retainer allowance for flexibility circa $1.591 per annum may be paid (this allowance amount is being finalised and will be confirmed at the assessment centres.
We will train you for these roles - which includes both on the job and classroom training including Officer Safety Tactics (self-defence) training. We'll also provide you with a full uniform.
Working for Customs | Mahi ki te Mana Ārai o Aotearoa
To join Te Mana Ārai in any role you must be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident*.
(*) A New Zealand Citizen or New Zealand Permanent Resident who has resided continuously in New Zealand for the last 5 years and resided here continuously 5 years ago from the date of this application. You must also be residing in New Zealand at the time of this application.
OR a New Zealand Citizen or New Zealand Permanent Resident who:
- resided in NZ for the last 5 years
- resided in NZ 5 years ago from the date of this application
- resides in NZ at time of this application but may have been absent from New Zealand for periods of not more than 6-9 months within the past five years (preferably in one or more of the following countries: either Australia, Canada, UK or the USA). Note, you will be required to provide overseas police certificates for these periods spent outside of New Zealand.
You must have a background history that is verifiable and can be assessed as appropriate by the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service towards a recommendation of suitability for security clearance at a higher level.
Due to the nature of Customs work you must have a clear Police record. Successful applicants are also required to pass a medical assessment and drug test and need to hold a full NZ Drivers' licence.
Customs does not currently require new employees to be up to date with vaccination against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Customs may however reintroduce a requirement to be vaccinated if our health and safety risk assessment or government requirements change.
About you | Ko wai koe
We're looking for people with…
- a passion for protecting our borders and affinity with what Customs does
- excellent communication skills and the ability to handle diverse situations professionally and tactfully
- great attention to detail and the ability to make sound judgments under pressure
- a high level of integrity and a commitment to upholding laws, policy and procedures
- ability to adapt quickly, work in an often, fast-paced environment and be comfortable embracing technological advancements and procedural changes
- a good fitness level and who can manage the requirements (where applicable) to work a mixture of shift work and normal business hours
Why join us?
- A dynamic work environment where no two days will be the same! You'll be on the front line, playing a vital role in securing our borders
- Career progression opportunities. We invest in your professional growth through training, development programs, and a clear career path
- Competitive compensation package. Enjoy a competitive salary, along with health and wellbeing benefits including Kiwisaver
- Make a difference. Protecting New Zealand's border security and trade interests is not just a job, but a chance to serve your country and shape the future
How to apply | Me pehea te whakauru
Please apply online - we cannot accept applications directly - you must apply via the link provided.
Please note, we are recruiting for intakes commencing in April 2025.
We also have a Maritime position available in Dunedin that is also advertised at the moment (until 6 Jan 2025) - you will need to apply for these roles separately if you wish to be considered for both.
Applications* close on 26 January 2025. We will be holding assessment centres in Dunedin during the week commencing 10 February 2025.
(*) Please apply as soon as you can as we process applications as they are received and will fill places on our assessment centre, so this opportunity may close earlier. Note that if you are unable to attend an assessment centre we will be unable to progress your application at this time.
Don't miss this opportunity to start your career. Apply now to become a Customs Officer and join us in protecting Aotearoa's borders, facilitating travel and trade, and making a real difference.
New Zealand Customs Service | Te Mana Ārai o Aotearoa is a member of Diversity Works New Zealand and is committed to developing a diverse workforce and an inclusive workplace. We provide equal employment opportunities and welcome applications from everyone who can meet the requirements of the role.