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Senior Advisor Cost Recovery

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 

 

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 a. 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 is a fixed term role for 12 months 

 

This role is based onsite in our Wellington office. While we're happy to consider work-from-home arrangements, this role is not designed for full-time remote working.  

 

In this role, you will help ensure we have the right processes in place, work through the current cost objections and ensure that we are providing timely and accurate information to applicants, in a way that instils confidence.  Cost objections and outstanding payments will be handled promptly, following the agreed protocol to ensure that the EPA can minimise its risk of bad debts as much as possible.  You will be working closely with members in the Land and Oceans team along with the Finance team and applicants. 

 

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. 

 

  • Working within legislative frameworks and developing and maintaining financial processes  

  • Preferably an understanding of consenting processes. 

  • Excellent numerical and analytical skills, highly organised with a proven ability to problem-solve  

  • Use of Oracle / databases / spreadsheets to pull data, analysis of numbers  

  • Strong written skills, displaying complex information clearly for Applicants  

  • Ability to communicate complex narratives to unwilling listeners and to have difficult conversations with applicants  

  • Proven ability to work under pressure, to prioritise, to multi-task and manage expectations  

  • Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work with applicants, contractors and staff at all levels.  

  • Previous experience with debtors or in a finance role would be beneficial but not essential  

 

 

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 

 

$87,702 - $131,554 per annum (midpoint $109,628).  

 

This is the full salary range. Appointments will likely be made at or below the midpoint of this range, depending on skills and experience. An appointment at the midpoint assumes 100% competency in the role, with the full band covering a range of 80% - 120%. 

 

 

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.  

 

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, 07 April 2026 

 

We will review applications as they are submitted and may begin our selection process prior to the end of the application stage  

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