Senior Freshwater Ecologist

|Industrial & Energy - Environmental|Christchurch

Freshwater Ecologist – Consultancy Role with Fieldwork & Project Variety
Location:  Christchurch, Hamilton or Auckland

Join a well-established multidisciplinary consultancy with a strong reputation in environmental science & ecology. Their dedicated ecology team provides high-quality freshwater and ecological services to clients across Aotearoa. This is a great opportunity for a freshwater ecologist with strong field skills and a sound understanding of New Zealand’s freshwater systems and environmental planning frameworks.

About the Role
You’ll be part of a small, experienced ecology team based in central Auckland, contributing to a wide range of projects including stream assessments, ecological impact assessments, fish passage design, habitat mapping, and restoration planning.

You’ll work closely with colleagues in planning, engineering, surveying and geotechnical teams — bringing ecological insight to integrated project delivery. A solid grasp of ecological effects assessments, risk and effects management, biodiversity offsetting, and familiarity with national environmental policy and guidance (e.g. RMA, NES-FW, NPS-FM, EIANZ) will be key.

This is a varied and technical role with a strong fieldwork component and opportunities to support cross-disciplinary projects in terrestrial, wetland, and some marine environments.

What You’ll Need
We’re looking for someone with:

  • A degree in ecology, environmental science, freshwater biology or similar
  • 3–5+ years’ experience in freshwater ecology roles (consultancy, council, or research)
  • Strong fieldwork skills including fish surveys, macroinvertebrate collection, stream habitat assessment
  • Familiarity with the RMA, NES-FW, NPS-FM and relevant ecological guidance material
  • Excellent written and verbal communication – reporting, consenting, stakeholder engagement
  • Ideally experience in ecological restoration planning and/or biodiversity offsetting
  • A full NZ driver’s licence (Or transferable from overseas)

Why Work Here?
This is a tight-knit team within a larger multidisciplinary consultancy. You’ll enjoy the autonomy of a specialist group while contributing to wider projects with planning, engineering, and science professionals. The company supports professional growth, values collaboration, and offers a steady flow of interesting and meaningful work. On top of this – they offer flexible work from home arrangements, work social club and an inclsuive work environment.

This opportunity is based in their Christchurch CBD office, however we’re also open to candidates who are interested in being based at either their Hamilton or Auckland offices.

If you would like to join this growing company, and take the next step in your career then please apply for the role. If you would like some more information, then please reach out to me: Luke Atkinson on 04 333 0383 or luke@trs.co.nz

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