Chief Advisor, Water Services

Date advertised : 24 Oct 2025

Job Type : Permanent

Location : Wellington, Christchurch, or Auckland (flexible)

Help shape the future of Education

We work to shape an education system that delivers equitable and excellent outcomes.

Our organisation is made up of talented and committed people around Aotearoa, from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. While we work in different groups and on different things, we all strive every day to make the biggest difference we can for our students in our education system.

About this role

The Chief Advisor provides technical leadership, subject matter expertise, strategic advice and governance support that is integral to the Ministry’s approach to fulfilling its role to ensure safe and compliant water services which meet minimum performance standards across the Ministry’s property portfolio.

The Chief Advisor will be responsible for the development of appropriate policies, procedures, assessment methodologies and quality assurance processes to ensure Ministry investment in water services meet safety, compliance, reliability, sustainability, maintainability and performance KPIs while delivering on ‘Value for Money’ expectations. This will include championing the importance of evidence-based design and effective water services asset management to achieving safe and compliant water supplies and wastewater systems.

Salary range : $140,146 - $163,435 per annum + 3% kiwi saver. The successful candidate will be appointed at a salary which reflects individual skills and experience.

For more details about the role, you can view the job description here.

About you

• Bachelor of Engineering (BE) or equivalent degree specialising in civil engineering and / or water services engineering.
• Chartered professional engineer (CPEng or equivalent).
• Technical experience (10+ years) and knowledge of water services treatment and network infrastructure design and construction in a New Zealand context.
• Experience with design, construction, operation and maintenance of small drinking water and on-site wastewater systems in a New Zealand context.
• A comprehensive knowledge of the engineering and legislative standards and requirements related to water services infrastructure (water, wastewater and stormwater).
• Proven experience in leading, influencing and building credibility across a range of internal and external stakeholders.
• A proven ability to use data and insights to identify trends, risks and opportunities, to influence and guide organisational and system-level decision making.
• Sound political awareness and ability to navigate government processes and navigate ambiguity in a complex environment.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• The ability and willingness to adhere to the Public Service Standards of Integrity and Conduct.

You will be part of the Technical Advisory team reporting to the Manager, Technical Advisory in the School Property Services team within School Property. This team provides subject matter expertise, technical leadership, timely and high-quality strategic advice to internal and external stakeholders on technical challenges.

About our group and team

The School Property group manages one of the largest property portfolios in Aotearoa New Zealand, composed of over 2,100 primary and secondary state schools and over 8,000 hectares of land with a carrying value of $33.5 billion. Our team is responsible for the portfolio, including school engagement, asset management, capital works delivery, investment planning and portfolio management.

We have a responsibility to invest in property solutions that demonstrate value for money while still delivering the right outcome for our schools and kura. Demand for new or improved school property across the country is high, and the way we meet these needs is to do so more efficiently. We have set financial and timeliness targets for our programme, and we’re looking to improve our planning and delivery, as well as working proactively and collaboratively with schools and the construction sector. This will ensure that our property projects deliver value and are part of an affordable and deliverable programme of works.

As part of the response to the Government’s decisions following the independent Ministerial Inquiry into School Property, the School Property group is now led by a Functional Chief Executive (FCE) for School Property, who reports directly to the Minister for Education. We also have put in place an improvement programme which responds to the Government's school property review recommendations.

The Technical Advisory team currently provides the following services : Construction Advisory, Water services, Electrical services, Asbestos compliance and School ICT network infrastructure.

Are you ready to make a difference?

If this opportunity interests you, please submit your cover letter and resume by using the ‘apply' button. In your cover letter we’d like to know about you, your values, or anything else you’d like to share. We’re keen to understand your motivations, strengths, transferable skills, and the diverse perspectives you will bring to the role.

For further information, please contact Fa’asalele Malo, Manager Technical Advisory at

Applications close Midnight – Monday 10 November 2025

We want our people to feel valued for their unique qualities and have a sense of belonging. If you require assistance or adjustments to fully participate in the recruitment process, please let us know.

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