Product Owner - Land and Oceans Applications

Jump in the waka - make history with us. 

About our group | Mō te roopu 

We regulate activity across the climate, land & ocean environments to enable New Zealand to sustainably utilise its natural resources, protect its environment and meet its international obligations.  

We manage applications and decision-making processes and operate the register that allows carbon units to be traded. We ensure that obligations are met through our confident application of the legislative frameworks we operate under. 

We do all of this effectively, efficiently, fairly and transparently, in order to be a trusted independent regulator. 

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. 

Typical day in the life of this role 

• Acting as the bridge between business, IT, and external users, providing system leadership across the Application Management System (AMS) and Cost Recovery System (CRS), supporting users, resolving issues, and ensuring systems effectively enable regulatory processes. 

Current areas of primary focus

• Leading system performance and governance of AMS and CRS; supporting users through training and guidance; managing relationships with internal stakeholders, agencies, and vendors; overseeing upgrades, releases, and testing; and driving continuous improvement in time management and cost recovery processes. 

What success looks like 

• Systems that are reliable, fit-for-purpose, and continuously improving; confident and capable users across internal and external stakeholders; high-quality, accurate reporting and insights; and strong relationships that ensure issues are proactively managed and resolved 

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. 

Required skills and experience 

• Strong experience working with business systems, ideally in application or case management environments 

• Demonstrated knowledge of time management and cost recovery processes 

• Experience leading or supporting system improvements, releases, or change initiatives 

• Advanced analytical and reporting capability, including tools such as Power BI 

• Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships across technical and non-technical audiences 

• Experience developing and delivering training, guidance, or system documentation for users 

• Strong communication, problem-solving, and influencing skills 

• Ability to work collaboratively across teams and with external partners 

‘Nice to have’ but non-essential skills 

• Experience with case management systems such as Microsoft Dynamics 

• Understanding of machinery of government and public sector processes 

• Familiarity with vendor management or working with external suppliers 

• Knowledge of the Cabinet Fees Framework or regulatory cost recovery models 

What’s in it for you | Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou 

There are extra benefits to working at the EPA: 

• flexible working culture 

• three additional paid leave days between Christmas and New Years in addition to four weeks’ annual leave 

• $400 non-taxable payment to help you set up working at home 

• an annual paid EPA Environment Day to support the community with environmental initiatives 

• in-house Māori cultural capability building programme  

• learning opportunities, including the annual EPA Symposium  

• active and lively social club, and diverse groups and support networks  

• EPA awards recognising individual and team effort 

• relocation help for those moving to New Zealand from overseas.  

Salary range 

$106532 - $159,798 per annum (midpoint $133,165).  

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.