Senior Waste Operations Specialist

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

Tauranga City Council is looking for a skilled and experienced Senior Waste Operations Specialist to oversee the safe, compliant, and community-focused operation of our waste facilities. This role is central to managing Council’s responsibilities for waste infrastructure — ensuring our sites meet environmental standards and serve the needs of our growing city.

In this role, you will:

• Lead Council’s oversight of waste facilities operated by contractors, including transfer stations and material recovery facilities (MRFs).
• Ensure these sites are safe, well-maintained, and aligned with community and environmental expectations through effective asset management and contract management.
• Manage Council’s closed landfills directly, including environmental monitoring, maintenance, and long-term planning.
• Oversee and maintain compliance with resource consents for both operational and closed sites.
• Lead planning for future consenting needs and environmental improvements.
• Provide technical guidance, mentoring, and support across the Waste Operations & Compliance Team and wider waste programme.

Ngā Pukenga | What you’ll need to succeed

• Experience in waste operations, environmental management, or a similar field.
• Strong knowledge of waste facility operations and environmental compliance.
• Great communication and leadership skills.
• A proactive, problem-solving mindset.
• A relevant qualification in environmental science, engineering, or a related area.

Tō Tātou Kaunihera | About Tauranga City Council

Tauranga City Council is one of Tauranga’s largest employers, and we are always looking to attract great talent to join our driven, passionate, and community-focused team.

We always strive to ensure that you feel valued and supported in the workplace.

To highlight that our people are our greatest asset, we offer a wide range of benefits that include 5 weeks annual leave, flexible hours and work from home options, as well as career development opportunities. You can find out more about working at Tauranga City Council here.

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 Hope Lawsen at hope.lawsen@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.

Applications will close 31st August

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.
• Our selection process may include behavioural interviews, psychometric and ability assessments, reference checks, and pre-employment screening.
• 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: Senior Waste Operations Specialist