Senior Customs Officer Grade One (SCO G1) - Drugs (Investigations) - Tauranga

Senior Customs Officer Grade One (SCO G1) - Drugs (Investigations) - Tauranga

Interested in joining the Tauranga Investigations team that contributes to disrupting and dismantling transnational serious organised crime groups involved in drug trafficking?

The New Zealand Customs Service protects and promotes New Zealand through world class border management. We aim to create a great place to work, where our people have a sense of belonging and the capability and desire to meet our future challenges.

We're looking for Senior Customs Officers (G1) for our Tauranga Drug Investigations team. You'll be someone who is able to work independently, participate, and cooperate with other team members in order to achieve team goals and objectives.

Our Customs Drug Investigators are at the heart of preventing drugs from reaching our communities and putting a stop to the harm they cause to New Zealand. We're looking for high performing, highly motivated staff to join our Tauranga based team. You'll be involved in investigating serious border related offences involving the importation and exportation of controlled drugs.

This role is intellectually challenging and requires individuals who are conscientious, adaptable with good attention to detail. At Grade 1 Senior Customs Officers must take responsibility in managing their own and others' skills, knowledge and expertise to ensure a multi-skilled team approach. They are required to receive and act upon information and intelligence in an effective manner and to maintain close working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

You will primarily be based in the Tauranga CBD, although you will be out in the field and working in diverse environments including the Port of Tauranga, and at times unpredictable hours. The salary range for this role is $67,745 - $86,742 plus an annual allowance of $16,286 for working unpredictable hours.

What you'll be doing |He aha tāu e mahi ana

Customs investigators oversee a full range of investigative activities including :

• Participating in planning and executing operational activity
• Undertaking inquiries, interviews, and arresting offenders
• Managing evidence and preparing files to an evidentially high standard
• Applying for and executing search warrants
• Preparing prosecution files and giving evidence in court - being a confident public speaker is important for this role
• Engaging with other key internal and external stakeholders
• Working out in the field and in diverse environments, and at times working unpredictable hours (such as long hours, weekends and public holidays and travelling at short notice)

About you |Ko wai koe

We're looking for highly motivated and self-driven people who care about their team, work well with others and have genuine interest in helping the Drugs team succeed. You will offer effective problem solving and decision-making capabilities and be able to mitigate risks effectively. Having excellent interpersonal skills, using both verbal and non-verbal communication techniques to ensure clarity of message and achieve the desired result are essential.

We're looking for people who :

What's involved |Ngā paearu hei tono

As part of the recruitment process, you will need to pass a medical test and the NZ Police Physical Competency Test (PCT). The PCT is a timed obstacle course, requiring you to do a variety of tasks from climbing a wall, to dragging a weight, to jumping through a window.

You will need to obtain Confidential level national security clearance. In order to obtain this clearance you need to be a New Zealand Citizen or New Zealand Permanent Resident who has resided continuously in New Zealand for the last 5 years and resides in NZ at time of application;

OR a New Zealand Citizen or New Zealand Permanent Resident who has resided in New Zealand for the last 5 years and resides in New Zealand at time of application, but may have been absent from New Zealand for periods of six or more months within the past 5 years, preferably in one or more of the following countries :

You must have a background history that is verifiable and can be assessed as appropriate by the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service towards a recommendation of suitability for security clearance at a higher level.

Already having Confidential clearance is a benefit, but not a requirement.

Due to the nature of Customs work you must have a clear Police record. Successful applicants are also required to pass a medical assessment and drug test and must hold a full NZ Drivers' licence.

Our people get on-the-job training, formal courses and leadership programmes, and the chance to move across diverse roles. We foster an inclusive and supportive team environment with vibrant social and cultural groups. We also support flexible working - talk to us about how we can help you achieve your flexible working goals, within our operational requirements. Our people get discounted health insurance, free on-site gyms (in some locations) and three days of service holidays in addition to four weeks of annual leave. Apply now.

How to apply |Me pehea te whakauru

Please apply online. Please submit a cover letter which outlines your suitability and motivation for this role. You will be asked to outline your relevant skills and experience in investigations along with why you are interested in the role and some competency-based questions. The online application process takes a bit of time and requires you to provide examples of previous work - specific questions are asked in the online process. It's best to set aside some time when you won't be interrupted.

If shortlisted, you will be asked to complete online psychometric testing as part of the process.

Applications close on Friday 14th November 2025 at 5pm.

New Zealand Customs Service | Te Mana Ārai o Aotearoa is a member of Diversity Works New Zealand and is committed to developing a diverse workforce and an inclusive workplace. We provide equal employment opportunities and welcome applications from everyone who can meet the requirements of the role. We also support flexible working arrangements.

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