Working at the Ministry
Do you want to play a part in shaping how Kiwis live, work and play in the future?
As the Government's principal adviser on the environment, the Ministry of the Environment touches just about every part of New Zealand. But our role is changing; increased pressure on New Zealand’s natural resources means the relationship between the environment and the economy is coming into sharper focus.
So rather than simply administering environmental legislation, our Policy team provides clear, well-considered policy advice that is grounded in theory and evidence. At the same time, our Programmes team is delivering a wide range of projects aimed at changing the way Kiwis think and behave when it comes to environmental management.
These teams are supported by our Strategy and Corporate division, which makes sure we’re using the best, most efficient systems and process to support the Ministry. Our Māori policy unit, Kahui Taiao, ensures we work closely and productively with Māori.
Current vacancies
A number of exciting career opportunities are coming over the next few months. If the right opportunity isn’t here for you at the moment, make sure you visit us again.
- Manager Urban Environment Policy (Ak) - Vacancy 1476 - Closes 30 May 2013 Are you a manager able to operate at an influential level of policy development and manage a key policy team?
- Manager Executive Relations - Vacancy 1479 - Closes 28 May 2013 Are you looking for a managerial role that has you at the nexus of the relationship between a government ministry and its ministers?
- Channels Adviser Online - Vacancy 1478 - Closes 26 May 2013 Want to apply your knowledge of how and why people use websites?
For other government job opportunities visit the NZ Government Jobs website.
Working at the Ministry for the Environment
Around 300 people work at the Ministry for the Environment, most of them based at Environment House in Wellington.
Our Policy and Programmes staff come from a wide range of professional, technical and scientific backgrounds, including resource management, law, engineering and science. Many of our people have previously worked in local government, the private sector or other central government agencies. Though experience in environmental policy is useful, we welcome applications from people with wide policy experience or proposals for secondments.
The Ministry also employs a range of professional and support staff in areas such as information management, human resources, communications, finance, legal, and business support.
The skills we need
We want to be respected for the depth, innovation and quality of our advice, and be a Ministry known for having effective ways to approach difficult, complex and emerging issues.
Everyone who works at the Ministry for the Environment needs to be interested in the effective management of natural resources, and be able to present well-reasoned advice based on the best information available.
We’re looking for people with excellent analytical skills, and the technical and political awareness needed to respond to the practical realities of working in the public sector. In addition, you’ll need to be a good communicator, a cooperative team member, and have a flexible approach to work.
Our role
We aim to lead New Zealand’s thinking about environmental and resource management issues. The advice we provide will promote greater levels of political consensus and increase society’s willingness to change.
We achieve this by delivering tools that create economic incentives to change behaviour, and by producing, using and publishing credible, trusted information. Working closely with all our stakeholders is crucial to our success, as is developing a deeper understanding with Māori.
Our role also includes providing the information and advice that local government, businesses and the wider community need to make environmental policy work in practice. We publish reports and guidelines, run seminars and workshops, and meet regularly with stakeholders.
Last updated: 9 April 2013
