Planning Engineer (Waters)

Tau ake rā te moana nei, e papaki kau ana ki te ākau tangata, kakenga waka ka mauru te tohu ki te arearenga o Mauao, he pou herenga mōu, he pou hononga mōu, kia herea ki te tika, kia herea ki te pono. Kia mau, kia ita, kia ū – haumi e, hui e, tāiki e!

Te Tūranga | About the role

Are you passionate about wastewater planning? Do you thrive on identifying the best solutions for diverse infrastructure challenges in a growing city?

We have an exciting opportunity for Planning Engineer (wastewater) in our City Waters Planning team at Tauranga City Council.

In this role, you will provide professional engineering and project management services focused on the strategic and planning aspects of our wastewater activities. You will be responsible for assessing the feasibility of options for strategic and planning wastewater projects and will bring your general knowledge and experience in waters planning to contribute to our vision of becoming a resilient Water Sensitive City. The role focusses on finding the best solutions, gaining stakeholder agreement and developing feasible designs to then handover to our delivery team.

We are looking for someone with a strong interest in three waters planning, someone who wants to find the optimal ways to mitigate issues from growth, legislative changes, climate change and re-consenting. The ideal candidate will have relevant industry experience, such as project management, feasibility and optioneering, strategic servicing assessments and working with wastewater treatment and network assets. Flexible thinking and adaptability are key to plan solutions for the future in a growth-driven city. You will have the opportunity to stay involved in all three waters while specialising in wastewater, working within a collaborative and supportive team environment.

If you are ready to take on this challenge and be part of a purpose driven team, we would love to hear from you.

Ngā Pukenga | What you’ll need to succeed

To succeed in this role, you’ll bring;

• A degree in Civil Engineering or equivalent qualification / experience
• 5+ years experience with water, wastewater or stormwater assets (we are especially keen to hear from candidates with wastewater treatment plant experience)
• Proven ability to work collaboratively within a team setting
• Excellent communication skills to effectively engage and present information to various audiences, from operational teams to senior management, external partners and stakeholders
• Project management experience

To be considered for this position you will need to have the right to work in New Zealand (e.g. citizenship, residency or work visa). 

We value a diverse range of experience. While specific strategic planning experience is preferred, we encourage candidates with strong wastewater and project management skills to apply. We are open to candidates with a strong aptitude for learning and a passion for the water industry.

Tō Tātou Kaunihera |About Tauranga City Council

At Tauranga City Council, our Waters Division plays a vital role in shaping the future of our city’s water infrastructure and services. Whether it's managing stormwater, improving freshwater systems, or delivering innovative solutions for water supply and wastewater, our team is at the forefront of protecting and enhancing Tauranga’s natural environment and community wellbeing.

We’re proud to be one of Tauranga’s largest employers, and we’re always looking for passionate, skilled professionals to join our collaborative and community-focused team. In the Waters Division, you’ll be part of a group that values technical excellence, teamwork, and making a real impact.

To support our people, we offer:

• Five weeks of annual leave
• Career development opportunities to help you achieve your professional goals
• A strong team culture where your contributions are valued and your wellbeing is supported

If you're ready to help shape the future of water in Tauranga, we’d love to hear from you.

Te Tukanga | How to apply

If you want to be part of an energetic, fun, and supportive team, then we'd love to hear from you. For more information, please contact Karrie Downey Karrie.downey@tauranga.govt.nz

Please note we will not be accepting applications via email. If you wish to apply, please click ‘Apply’ at the bottom of this page and follow the link.

We’re reviewing applications as they come in, so don’t wait—this role may be filled before the closing date. Applications officially close on 5th October

We’re committed to building a diverse team that reflects the communities we serve. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including those living with disabilities.
If you need any support or adjustments to take part in our recruitment process, please contact our Talent Acquisition team at recruitment@tauranga.govt.nz

• You must have the legal right to live and work in New Zealand to apply for this role.
• Tauranga City Council does not accept unsolicited contact or applications from recruitment agencies. We will not pay fees or commissions related to unsolicited contact.

Job Description: Planning Engineer (Waters)