Senior Compliance Officer CME2

As New Zealand's environmental regulator, the work we do today helps shape the future of our tomorrow.

Our purpose | To tatou kaupapa 

We are the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), Aotearoa New Zealand’s independent environmental regulator. Our role is important: to help protect our country’s unique way of life by looking out for the health of its environment, its economy and its people.  

Our kaupapa is about making the right decisions based on evidence, mātauranga, and science. At the EPA, we encourage big ideas and bold goals.  

What we achieve today helps shape the future of New Zealand for generations to come.  

Jump in the waka - make history with us. 

About our group | Mō te roopu  

Compliance, monitoring and enforcement is an integral part of the EPA’s work to protect the environment and the health outcomes of New Zealanders.. 

The Compliance, Monitoring and Enforcement Group helps everyone – from small businesses to big organisations - understand and comply with environmental regulations to help protect communities, the environment and people.   

We do this through educating, engaging, monitoring and investigating, and taking enforcement action when necessary. This approach benefits the environment, the economy and communities, and means we can focus our resources (including our enforcement powers) on tackling the most important environmental issues.    

Our multi-disciplinary team of compliance, monitoring and enforcement officers work together, supporting each other to carry out this essential role in maintaining and upholding New Zealand’s environmental regulatory regime for the good of all of Aotearoa today, and for future generations.   

About the role | Mō te tūnga   

We are looking for experienced Senior Compliance Officers to join our dynamic and dedicated team. We have compliance, monitoring and enforcement responsibilities under a range of environmental legislation, which provides a unique and exciting opportunity to use, broaden and grow your regulatory compliance skill set. Your knowledge and skills will help us support industries, organisations, and other regulated parties meet their compliance obligations, monitor compliance with those obligations, and undertake appropriate compliance interventions where non-compliance is identified.  

As a Senior Compliance Officer at the EPA, you will play a pivotal role in leading and enhancing our regulatory compliance, monitoring, and enforcement functions. In this dynamic and diverse role, you will provide high-quality technical and procedural advice, support compliance activities, and maintain professional relationships with regulated parties.  

You will take the lead in conducting inspections and investigations within technically challenging areas, including hazardous substances, ozone-depleting gases, and the emissions trading scheme. This role requires confidence and decisiveness in dynamic environments, along with the ability to apply sound judgment to your decision making and when navigating challenging situations. A commitment to adhering to health and safety protocols is essential. 

As a Senior, your leadership will be key in mentoring team members, developing processes, and ensuring quality assurance of outputs. You will also lead and contribute to projects aimed at enhancing and improving our internal systems and processes, enabling the EPA to deliver its regulatory functions effectively. 

We are looking for a regulatory specialist who demonstrates leadership through knowledge sharing, personal management, and solution-focused approaches. You will support the delivery of training within CME, identify system improvements, and uphold the EPA’s values and behaviours. 

About you | Mōhou ake   

We are looking for someone with a range of skills and experience – if you have some or all of the below, we would love to hear from you.  

•  Comprehensive experience in regulatory compliance and enforcement, ideally within local or central government 

• Experience of applying legislation to unique and dynamic situations to identify breaches 

• Proven record of evidence collection and management to recognised evidential sufficiency standards 

• Experience of regulatory practices and responding to incidents, complaints and enquiries 

• An understanding of the methods and techniques for the assessment and management of risk and assessing effects in a regulatory environment 

• Good judgement and strong reasoning skills that can be justified 

• A high level of written communication skills with the ability to produce clear, concise and well-reasoned documents. 

• Experience within a multi-jurisdictional regulatory environment 

• Experience leading complex investigations and proven ability to take enforcement action 

• Proven experience of mentoring and developing others in regulatory practice. 

What’s in it for you | Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou 

There are extra benefits to working at the EPA: 

• flexible working culture 

• three additional annual leave days between Christmas and New Years in addition to four weeks’ annual leave 

• $400 non-taxable payment to help you set up working at home 

• an annual paid EPA Environment Day to support the community with environmental initiatives 

• in-house Māori cultural capability building programme  

• learning opportunities, including the annual EPA Symposium  

• active and lively social club, and diverse groups and support networks  

• EPA awards recognising individual and team effort 

• relocation help for those moving to New Zealand from overseas.  

Salary range |    

$100,779 per annum - $151,169 per annum (midpoint $125,974).   

This is the full salary range. Appointments will likely be made at or below the midpoint of this range, depending on skills and experience. An appointment at the midpoint assumes 100% competency in the role, with the full band covering a range of 80% - 120%. 

How to apply | Me pēhea te tuku tono   

Complete the online application form and submit your CV and a covering letter.   

Please note: your covering letter is an important part of our assessment process. Please highlight how your experience relates to this role, and why you applied. Tell us about you, your values and/or whakapapa.   

 
View the Position description   

 
For more information, please contact recruit@epa.govt.nz or check out the careers section of our website www.epa.govt.nz/careers. 

We are open to supporting inter agency secondments. If possible, please discuss the prospect of joining us with your current manager, before submitting your application.