Ministry for Primary Industries

  • Posted: 09 Feb 2024
  • Location: New Plymouth
  • Work Type: Full Time
  • Classification: Agriculture, fishing & forestry
Job Title: Fishery Officer x2

Role type: Permanent, Full Time

Location: New Plymouth

Salary range: $70,675 to $83,157 depending on skills and experience



Join the Taranaki Fisheries Compliance team based in New Plymouth. We are looking for someone with a passion for our marine environment and ensuring it is sustainably utilised and protected for future generations.



Kōrero mō te Tūranga - About the Role

The working life of a Fishery Officer is varied and interesting. On any given day you may find yourself patrolling the beaches and boat ramps, educating the public on the fishing rules, 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 in the office 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, this is what we expect from our frontline staff:

Work under the direction of your team leader and, in time, using your 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
Detect, investigate, and act 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


https://www.mpi.govt.nz/about-mpi/careers/working-mpi/roles-at-mpi/the-work-of-fishery-officers/



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:

Have the ability to work unsociable hours (weekends, public holidays, early or late and during the night) when required and in differing environments. This also includes being on call to attend to complaints from the public
Be comfortable being away from home for a night or two, perhaps longer on occasion. This could be for training purposes, for patrols, or to support work in other parts of NZ. This can include patrol deployments on Navy, Airforce, or other government assets
Have an enquiring mindset, analytical experience as well as experience with report writing
Be able to keep your cool and communicate effectively in confrontational situations, this happens from time to time as this is an enforcement role
Have a basic understanding of Te Tiriti and its importance in a NZ Fisheries context
Computer literacy and skills in the use of the Microsoft Office suite and a familiarity with databases
Be passionate, motivated, and driven to succeed in the role both in a team and on your own


If successfully shortlisted, you will need to be able to attend an all-day assessment centre at the MPI New Plymouth office which is collocated with Police in Bell Block, New Plymouth on Thursday 7 Mar 2024.



If shortlisted for final interview you will also need to be able to attend this in New Plymouth (online maybe an option) on Wednesday 13 March 2024 for half a day which will include a fitness test. Fitness 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 late April 2024.



You do not need to meet all of 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.



Mō tō mātou Rōpū - About the Team

You will be joining the New Plymouth team, an integral part of the Western North Island Fisheries Compliance regional team. There are 26 staff in the wider region in teams spread across Auckland, Hamilton and Whitianga. We are mostly fishery officers, with support staff, an analyst and 2 team leaders. The Fishery Officers come from a variety of backgrounds and are generally people who enjoy time in the outdoors, fishing, the sea, engaging with people, and problem solving.



Mō te takiwa - About the district

New Plymouth is nestled between the mountains and the sea on the West coast of the North Island with stunning scenery. The Taranaki community have a strong connection to the sea and are passionate about the sustainable use of seafood. The office is responsible for compliance monitoring from Whanganui in the South to Mokau in the North. There has recently been a significant prohibition on collecting certain species of shellfish which Fishery Officers are working in partnership with local Iwi to ensure its success. There are three Fishery Officers and a compliance support officer based in the New Plymouth office.



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.



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.


Wā Mahi Ngāwari - Flexible Working

We support flexible working arrangements and are happy to discuss these options with you.



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

Given this position is safety sensitive the preferred applicants 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 25 February 2024.


If you have any questions about the role, please email [email protected]



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