In partnership with our community, Environment Southland (Southland Regional Council) is responsible for the sustainable management of Southland's natural resources - our land, our water, our air and our coast. As a Regional Council we operate across a large geographical region which extends from Stewart Island to Fiordland.

We currently have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Regulatory & Consents Coordinator.

Emphasis is on:

• Building and maintaining strong, trusted relationships with mana whenua, regulators, and key external stakeholders, including Fish & Game and DOC.
• Supporting and strengthening the organisation's commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, environmental stewardship, and best‑practice regulatory compliance.
• Early identification and proactive management of consent pathways to reduce downstream risk, cost, and delay.
• Front‑loading regulatory thinking into planning and delivery, rather than reacting late in the process.
• Providing clarity, certainty, and confidence around regulatory requirements, expectations, and timeframes.

Knowledge/Experience required:

• A relevant qualification in environmental management, planning, regulatory compliance, project management or related discipline (or equivalent experience).
• Demonstrated experience working within, or closely alongside, regulatory and consenting processes, preferably in infrastructure, environmental management or local government contexts.
• Strong working knowledge of the resource consent process and relevant legislation, including the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA), National Environmental Standards for Freshwater (NES‑FW) and applicable regional planning frameworks.
• Experience coordinating multiple inputs, managing timeframes and tracking deliverables across complex work programmes.
• Proven ability to operate proactively, anticipate issues and manage competing priorities with minimal supervision.
• Experience preparing, coordinating, reviewing or contributing to consent documentation (direct drafting experience desirable but not essential).
• Sound understanding of consent application processes and associated management, compliance and reporting obligations.
• Management or project coordination training is desirable but not essential.
• Strong ability to communicate effectively with internal teams, stakeholders and the public.
• Demonstrated ability to manage conflict constructively and resolve issues in a collaborative manner.
• Competence with the Microsoft Office suite and experience with, or willingness to learn, regional council‑specific software and systems.
• Ability to interpret and analyse information to support regulatory decision‑making and reporting.
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Full current driver's licence.

We have a lifestyle that is second to none, with easy access to beaches, rivers, lakes, ski fields, national parks and first-class sports facilities. We pride ourselves on the support we give our team to ensure a good work‑life balance is a priority. And with affordable real estate, short commutes and a great range of schools on offer there is something here for everyone!

How to apply

If this sounds like the opportunity for you, go to: https://environmentsouthland.recruitmenthub.co.nz/Vacancies/& enter ref code: 6911333.

Your cover letter will be a key part of our assessment process, so please highlight how your experience relates to the key skills required for this role.

An initial offer of remuneration will be made within the range $76,410. - $80,655.

Applications close: 2 August 2026

Working at Environment Southland requires all of our staff to uphold the council's Te Tiriti o Waitangi responsibilities as part of their day-to-day role. This might be through the appropriate delivery of functions through various legislation where Te Tiriti o Waitangi or partnering with mana whenua is required or upholding the commitments that our elected councillors have made to Ngāi Tahu ki Murihiku through the Charter of Understanding.