• Make a difference in community
• Organise our Emergency Operations Centre
• Join a small, dedicated team doing meaningful and impactful work

Help communities prepare for the unexpected and make a real difference when it matters most.

Ko wai mātau | About us

The people at Whakatāne District Council love what we do because we do it for others, and that feels good. We work hard and we know it's important to stop and play too. We're on a learning journey because we know we can always do better, and we know we're better together. Will you come on that journey with us? You'll get access to a range of staff benefits including free swimming pool access. You'll never be more than half an hour away from rivers, lakes, forests, beaches, and great walks - most are just on your doorstep. We love this place, and you will too.

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

Join a small, dedicated team at the Whakatāne District Council as one of our Emergency Management Officers, where your expertise will support our district's readiness, response, and recovery from emergency events. This role is central to both internal and external emergency management operations, working closely with Council staff, Emergency Management Bay of Plenty, and local communities.

You'll help drive operational preparedness by supporting Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) functions, planning and delivering staff training, coordinating exercises, and organising and maintaining vital documentation and systems.

This is an opportunity to be part of meaningful and impactful work, ensuring our communities are safer, more informed, and better prepared for the unexpected.

Ko wai koe | About you

To be successful in this role you will have:

• Passion for emergency management and community resilience.
• A tertiary qualification in emergency management, risk management, or relevant experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of CDEM legislation, frameworks, and best practice, with practical experience in emergency or risk management, ideally in a New Zealand local government context.
• Current or working towards CIMS Level 4 certification.
• Experience in planning, performance monitoring, and engaging with diverse stakeholders.
• The ability to build strong working relationships with internal staff, iwi, volunteers, emergency services, and the wider community.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and problem-solving skills with a high level of initiative and accountability.

You're proactive, adaptable, and ready to contribute to a collaborative team environment. You're comfortable working under pressure and prepared to step up in real emergency situations — including working after hours if needed.

Ngā whaipainga | Our values

• We're always learning and improving - Toitū te Taumata
• We're passionate and proud - Toitū te Mauri Ora
• We work as one team - Toitū te Mahi Tahi
• We put people at the heart of everything we do - Toitū te Tangata
• We care about our environment - Toitū te Taiao.

Me pēhea te tono mai | How to apply

If you would like to discuss this opportunity further, please contact Lou Hunt, Manager Climate Change & Resilience on 07 306 0500 or apply now via our Careers site.
We are keen to recruit for this role quickly so if you're interested, get in quick. Applications will be reviewed as they come in.