Team Leader - Hazardous Substances

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 

The purpose of the Hazardous Substances & New Organisms Group is to manage consent application and reassessment processes.   

About the role | Mō te tūnga  

We are looking for a Team Leader to manage and provide leadership to a team of Senior Advisors and Advisors who are focused on the evaluation of hazardous substances applications into New Zealand. 

Our team leaders are responsible for providing leadership and problem-solving support, managing performance and application workflow, and contributing to the HSNO groups’ overall organisational priorities. This opportunity would suit someone who is delivery and process improvement focused and who has proven experience leading teams to succeed. 

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. 

• Experience in people management 

• Experience working with different stakeholders/users at all levels across government, the public and private sectors 

• An understanding of workflow and project management principles and ability to apply them in different settings 

• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively as part of a leadership team 

• The ability to learn and understand complex regulatory issues 

• Proven experience of successfully leading, developing, and managing a high performing team 

• The ability to make decisions and manage uncertainty and risk 

• The ability to work, and deliver, under pressure, set priorities, and achieve results in tight deadlines 

• A relevant tertiary qualification or equivalent experience preferably in an area related to hazardous substances, chemical sciences, or regulatory processes and systems  

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

There are extra benefits to working at the EPA: 

• flexible working culture 

• three annual 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 Science Symposium  

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

• EPA awards recognising individual and team effort 

Salary range 

$118,828 - $178,242 per annum (midpoint $148,535).  

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.  

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 March 2025    

We will be reviewing and processing applications as they are received.