Principal Compliance Officer
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. Activities undertaken by the CME Group sit alongside decision-making and engagement and are fundamental to the overall strategic direction of the EPA.
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
This role is based in our Wellington office. While we're happy to consider work-from-home arrangements, this role is not designed for full-time remote working.
As Principal Compliance Officer, you will provide senior leadership in regulatory compliance, monitoring and enforcement across the EPA's environmental legislation. In this role within the Monitoring and Proactive Campaigns Team, you will lead and support complex compliance, monitoring and proactive activities, provide expert technical advice and quality assurance, and help shape regulatory practice across the organisation.
As a member of the CME Leadership Team, you will contribute to strategic initiatives, influence process and policy improvements, mentor and develop compliance professionals, and build strong relationships with regulatory partners, industry and government stakeholders.
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.
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A tertiary qualification in environmental science, environmental management, engineering, physical sciences or a related discipline, and/or significant experience in a relevant industry.
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Extensive experience in regulatory compliance, monitoring, investigations and enforcement, including the use of statutory enforcement tools and involvement in complex or high-profile regulatory matters.
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Strong experience interpreting and applying legislative frameworks to complex situations and determining proportionate regulatory responses.
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Excellent analytical skills, with the ability to assess complex information, identify risks and provide practical, evidence-based advice.
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Demonstrated experience mentoring, coaching and developing others, while providing senior technical guidance across teams.
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Proven ability to influence and build effective relationships with senior stakeholders across government, industry, iwi, communities and regulatory partners.
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Strong communication, negotiation and conflict-management skills, with the ability to communicate complex technical, scientific and legal information clearly to diverse audiences.
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Advanced knowledge of regulatory approaches, compliance monitoring, proactive campaigns/planned, targeted compliance programmes, investigations, enforcement and risk management within a New Zealand regulatory environment.
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An understanding of environmental regulation and the risks associated with regulated activities, ideally within sectors such as hazardous substances, emissions trading, the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), mining, extractives or other environmental domains.
What’s in it for you | Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou
There are extra benefits to working at the EPA:
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flexible working culture
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three additional paid leave days between Christmas and New Years in addition to four weeks’ annual leave
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$400 non-taxable payment to help you set up working at home
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an annual paid EPA Environment Day to support the community with environmental initiatives
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in-house Māori cultural capability building programme
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learning opportunities, including the annual EPA Symposium
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active and lively social club, and diverse groups and support networks
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EPA awards recognising individual and team effort
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relocation help for those moving to New Zealand from overseas.
Salary range
$126,733 - $190,099 (midpoint $158,416)
This is the full salary range of the band, from 80% - 120%. Appointments will generally be made at or below the midpoint of this range, depending on skills and experience.
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.
Applications close | Rā Katinga
5pm, Monday 24 August 2026
We will review applications as they are submitted and may begin our selection process prior to the end of the application stage