Principal Advisor Climate Change Adaptation

We’re looking for an experienced Principal Advisor - Climate Change Adaptation in a full-time fixed term or secondment position until March 2027 to cover parental leave. This role will play a critical role in increasing Wellington’s resilience to climate change impacts.

In this role, you would be joining a passionate, innovative and creative team delivering Wellington City Council’s climate adaptation work programme outlined in Council’s Te Atakura 2025 action plan – which is a high priority work programme of Wellington City Council.

• Build strong relationships with mana whenua, embedding te ao Māori into our work
• Champion bold and innovative climate adaptation and resilience action

Āu ake mahi |

What you'll do

The role will also be responsible for providing expert technical knowledge to strategic climate adaptation solutions for Poneke - informed by policy, legislation, and regulatory requirements in the local government context.

As Principal Advisor, you’ll be a leading subject matter expert on local government adaptation planning. Your primary focus will be implementing and evaluating the Local Climate Adaptation Pilot in the Paekawakawa Island Bay and Haewai Houghton Valley water catchments which involves :

Ngā tohu me ngā wheako |

Qualifications and experience

We are looking for someone with 5+ years’ experience working in climate adaptation, with a relevant tertiary qualification or experience working in climate change, engineering or urban planning. Prior experience working in government would be an advantage.

You will bring :

We are looking to appoint between $127,659 and $150,186 per annum, for this role, depending on relevant skills and experience.

If this sounds like you and you’re an innovative thinker, compassionate and empathetic and have political acumen, then we want to hear from you!

Nōu te rourou |

What's in it for you

Working for the Council offers you a range of benefits including 5 weeks annual leave, flexible working options, health and wellbeing support, Council staff discounts and a range of learning and development programmes and opportunities.

You’ll also be joining a creative, friendly and supportive team led by Jamuna Rotstein, Climate Change Adaptation Lead. Jamuna has worked in a variety of climate adaptation and community resilience roles in local government and humanitarian sector. She is passionate about collaborating with diverse stakeholders to build resilience and sustainability, with a strong focus on fostering partnerships with mana whenua and Māori in alignment with our Tākai Here partnership.

We want your application to enable you to portray the real you. Skills are gained across many areas of our life, not just formal employment. If you can demonstrate the skills listed in the advert through whānau life, community or mahi aroha (volunteering) we encourage you to apply and share your story with us in your cover letter.

We welcome applications from all people and like our workforce to reflect the diverse communities we serve.

Accessibility Support :

We want to make sure any accessibility requirements you may have, are well supported so the selection process is equitable for everyone. Please let us know if there are any adjustments or support, we can offer to make our process more accessible to you by emailing :

Applications close 5 December 2025. Please note that we may engage with applicants prior to the vacancy closing and / or close applications ahead of this date so we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.

All applications must be submitted online – we will not accept emailed applications. If you are applying for the role as a secondment opportunity, please ensure you have the support of your manager. All applicants must have the right to work in New Zealand.

Expertise : Environment, Policy, planning and strategy

#J-18808-Ljbffr