Current vacancies

South Island Regional Manager Principal Ecologist

Christchurch

WILDLANDS HAS A NEW ROLE AND IS SEEKING A SOUTH ISLAND MANAGER (PRINCIPAL ECOLOGIST) – BASED IN CHRISTCHURCH.

Wildland Consultants Ltd is a leading professional ecological consultancy committed to providing high quality and cost-effective ecological information, advice and technical services to a wide range of clients. Our company provides outstanding ecological services to sustain and improve our environments. Our valued team strives to achieve this for our clients, our communities, and our environment.

Our vision is to be Aotearoa New Zealand’s premier ecological provider, with a reputation based on outstanding services and impeccable integrity, making a real difference for people and the environment.

We enable our clients to achieve sustainable management and enhance indigenous biodiversity, ecosystems and resources.

JOIN:

• A company where people and the environment come first
• A business that prides itself on diversity and flexibility
• A highly engaged and respected team of highly experienced professional ecologists who love working together

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

We are looking for a talented manager who is also a highly experienced and competent ecologist to play a key leadership role in managing the effective operation, performance, and strategic development of our South Island teams.

Someone who values diversity, can provide leadership and oversight to a team of dedicated ecologists, our ecological restoration implementation experts, and support staff.

• Ensuring that all operations run smoothly and align with quality standards to enable the ecologists, ecological restoration staff and support staff have everything they need to do their work.
• Leading, motivating and supporting a large team within a time-sensitive and demanding environment.
• Managing the teams to achieve productivity targets and deliver excellent results for clients.
• Strong operational and planning abilities.
• Driving continuous improvement across the South Island.

MUST HAVE:

• A postgraduate degree in ecology.
• 15+ years of relevant professional experience, with a significant amount of this experience based in Aotearoa New Zealand.
• Leadership ability and a collaborative, team‑focused approach.
• A high standard of verbal and written communication skills, including high‑quality report writing.
• Ability to think critically.
• Proven success in an operations business environment.
• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships, internally and externally, including establishing and maintaining client relationships.
• Ability to lead, motivate, mentor and manage a large team.
• A high level of technical expertise in ecology with national level recognition.
• Strong skills in ecological assessment, survey work, and restoration ecology.
• Proficient Project Management skills, including budgeting, client liaison, project setup, and delivery.
• Experience with peer reviewing other people’s reports and communications.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically.
• Ability to communicate to a wide range of audiences both internally and externally.
• Ability to relate and communicate with people from different backgrounds and cultures.
• Ability to keep calm and maintain professional standards and procedures when under pressure.
• Competent decision-making ability.
• Experience liaising with iwi and understanding of Te Ao Māori (desirable).

If you have the skills and attributes that we are looking for and are keen to oversee a team of expert ecologists delivering a wide range of projects that provide innovative and sustainable ecological solutions, then we would like to hear from you.

WHAT WE OFFER:

An opportunity to join a dynamic, flexible and expanding, New Zealand employee owned and operated consultancy where our values drive everything, we do.

A career at Wildlands gives the opportunity to be part of a team of professional ecologists in a supportive work environment. We are committed to investing in our people, we provide support for professional development and provide mentoring to help you grow and take the next step with your career.

We are proud of our company culture our reputation and value each team member’s contribution.

Wildlands is also proud to be Carbon Neutral and have Toitu Enviromark Diamond Accreditation.

Hours: 40 hours per week Monday to Friday.

Benefits of working for our team include a flexible and supportive working environment. Competitive salary, plus benefits. Strong commitment to developing and upskilling people, and the opportunity to work with a great team.

If you are ready for your next venture and would like the opportunity to join our team, APPLY NOW. See our website www.wildlands.co.nz for further information on Wildland Consultants Ltd and how to apply for this position.

Applications will close on 25 September 2026.

Applicants for this position should have NZ residency or a valid NZ work visa.

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Ecological Restoration Team Leader

Christchurch

WILDLANDS HAS A NEW ROLE AND IS SEEKING AN ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION TEAM LEADER – BASED IN CHRISTCHURCH.

Wildlands is seeking a full-time permanent Ecological Restoration Team Leader who will be based out of our Christchurch office. The role is to lead teams (1–4 staff) in the field undertaking ecological restoration works, comprising pest plant control, pest animal control and native planting and aftercare (maintenance). You will be mentoring and training staff, leading by example, undertake basic reporting and recordkeeping, ensuring the health and safety of your teams and encouraging and maintaining a positive team culture. There will be opportunities for liaising with client representatives and other stakeholders, including the general public and community groups.

We are looking for a Team Leader with a professional work ethic, and at least two years’ practical restoration experience. It is essential that you are able to communicate effectively with your teams, supervisor and manager, have excellent planning and problem-solving skills, and a positive and efficient work ethic. The work requires staff to use agrichemicals (herbicides), vertebrate toxins (poisons), and traps on a regular basis. Appropriate training will be provided for specialist areas of work if required. Regularly staying away up to week at a time in shared, sometimes basic, accommodation is an expectation of the role.

Skills, Knowledge, and Experience

• A genuine interest in working in the outdoors and achieving restoration goals.
• Mentoring skills and experience training existing and new staff.
• Thorough knowledge and proven experience of pest plant control, pest animal monitoring and control, and indigenous planting.
• Excellent plant identification.
• A positive, can-do attitude.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Decision-making and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and within a team.
• A good work ethic, efficient, and H&S conscious.
• Handheld GPS and use of mobile phone apps (e.g. TrapNZ and ArcGIS Field Maps).
• Basic Microsoft Excel and report-writing ability.
• A good level of fitness, preferably with outdoor skills and experience (e.g. tramping, hunting, etc).
• Full NZ driver’s licence or overseas equivalent (manual – the majority of our fleet are manual vehicles).
• Can confidently tow a trailer.

Preferred applicant will hold CURRENT relevant qualifications and experience. These include Growsafe (Standard or Registered Chemical Applicator), First Aid, Chainsaw, 4WD, Controlled Substance Licence (CSL), ATV, and SiteSafe passport. A full driver’s licence for manual vehicles is essential.

Please apply with our completed application form, your CV and cover letter (highlighting your experience leading staff in undertaking pest plant control, pest animal control, and revegetation planting projects, as well as any relevant training, and qualifications).

See our website www.wildlands.co.nz for further information on Wildland Consultants Ltd and how to apply for this position.

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Senior Freshwater Ecologist - Christchurch

Christchurch

WILDLANDS HAS A ROLE AVAILABLE FOR A FRESHWATER ECOLOGIST IN CHRISTCHURCH THAT BELIEVES IN BETTER QUALITY ENVIRONMENTS.

Wildland Consultants is one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s leading ecological providers, with a reputation based on outstanding services and integrity, making a real difference for people and the environment.

We are committed to providing high quality and cost-effective ecological information, advice and technical services to a wide range of clients. Our company purpose is to provide outstanding ecological services to sustain and improve our environments. Our valued team strive to achieve this for our clients, our communities, and our environment.

Wildlands has a long-proven record of working with our clients to solve complex ecological issues, and achieve effective outcomes for them, and Aotearoa New Zealand’s biodiversity.

JOIN:

• A company where people, clients and the environment come first.
• A business that prides itself on diversity and flexibility.
• A highly engaged and respected team of highly experienced professional who love working together.

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR:

A talented and experienced Freshwater Ecologist to be a part of our high performing and motivated Ecology Team in Christchurch.

A person who can provide relevant specialist knowledge in the area of freshwater ecology in New Zealand. Someone who can provide high quality outputs for clients on ecological projects.

MUST HAVE:

• A post-graduate degree in freshwater ecology.
• 3 – 5 years of relevant professional experience.
• Experience in ecological effects assessments, ecological survey work, management and restoration of natural areas.
• Project and budget management skills.
• Passion and commitment to excellent leadership with proven people management skills.
• An understanding of where to focus your team’s efforts, how to play to people’s strengths.
• Great communication and interpersonal skills, and a proven ability to build productive working relationships and work collaboratively.
• Proven ability to communicate on appropriate technical and commercial levels to a diverse range of current and potential clients.
• The ability to work independently and part of a team.
• Memberships with appropriate professional bodies.
• Full current New Zealand driver’s licence.
• 4WD experience.

If you are interested in what we are looking for and possess all or most of these skills, and are keen to be involved in a wide range of projects delivering innovative and sustainable solutions, working and leading a team of very knowledgeable ecologists, then we would like to hear from you.

WHAT WE OFFER:

An opportunity to join our Aotearoa New Zealand owned and operated ecological consultancy that is dynamic, flexible and expanding, and where our values drive everything, we do.

A career at Wildlands gives the opportunity to be part of a team of very experienced ecologists in a supportive work environment. We are committed to investing in our people, we provide support for professional development and provide mentoring to help you grow and take the next step with your career.

We are proud of the company culture, our reputation and value each team member’s contribution.

Benefits: Flexible Working Environment, Competitive Salary plus benefits. Wildlands has a strong workplace culture with a focus on wellbeing. Reward and recognition to celebrate the great things our Wildlands whanau achieve, either as a team, or as individuals and an opportunity to work with a great team. Prospect of diverse roles within the company, diverse geographic locations, and opportunities to work or relocate around the country and progress your career.

Christchurch: With stunning natural scenery, botanic gardens, large urban spaces, and historical buildings, Christchurch is the perfect place for those who love the outdoors. Bordered by Port Hills and the Pacific Ocean, Christchurch sits on the edge of the Canterbury Plains and stretches to the Southern Alps. Residents benefit from skiing and windsurfing to mountain biking and rafting.

If you are a passionate Freshwater Ecologist with a genuine interest in making a difference for indigenous biodiversity, we invite you to apply.

See our website www.wildlands.co.nz for further information on Wildland Consultants Ltd and how to apply for this position.

Applications will close when a suitable candidate has been recruited.

Applicants for this position should have NZ residency or a valid NZ work visa.

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Senior Ecologist - Herpetofauna - Christchurch

Christchurch

WILDLANDS HAS A NEW ROLE AND IS SEEKING A TALENTED SENIOR ECOLOGIST (HERPETOFAUNA) THAT BELIEVES IN BETTER QUALITY ENVIRONMENTS – BASED IN CHRISTCHURCH.

Wildland Consultants is a leading professional ecological consultancy committed to providing high quality and cost-effective ecological information, advice and technical services to a wide range of clients. Our company purpose is to provide outstanding ecological services to sustain and improve our environments. Our valued team strive to achieve this for our clients, our communities, and our environment.

Our vision is to be New Zealand’s premier ecological provider, with a reputation based on outstanding services and impeccable integrity, making a real difference for people and the environment.

We enable our clients to achieve sustainable management and enhance of indigenous bio-diversity eco-systems and resources.

JOIN:

• A company where people and the environment come first
• A business that prides itself on diversity and flexibility
• A highly engaged and respected team of highly experienced professional ecologists who love working together

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR:

This is a new position within the company, and we are wanting a talented and passionate Ecologist who has specialist knowledge of New Zealand lizards, frogs, vegetation, flora, and fauna in a range of projects to come and join us.

Someone who values diversity, and enjoys working with a team of dedicated ecologists.

MUST HAVE:

• A degree in ecology, specialising in herpetofauna or related field.
• A minimum of 5+ years’ experience as a Herpetologist, preferably with at least 3 years of consultancy experience.
• Strong background in herpetology, including at least one of the following:

• Preparation and implementation of Lizard Management Plans for a variety of indigenous lizard species.
• Presenting expert evidence for council hearings and environment court.

• Experience using a range of different and novel survey methods and techniques.

• Sound field skills covering a range of ecosystems, habitats, and taxa.
• Skills in ecological restoration planning and/or biodiversity offsetting would be very useful.
• Excellent networking skills.
• Good written and verbal communication skills – reporting, consenting, stakeholder engagement.
• Ability to communicate on appropriate technical and commercial levels to a diverse range of current and potential clients.
• Ability to work independently and in a team.
• Further qualifications and membership of an appropriate professional body.
• Full current New Zealand driver’s licence.
• 4WD experience.

If you are interested in what we are looking for and possess all or most of these skills and are keen to be involved in a wide range of projects delivering innovative and sustainable solutions, working with a team of very knowledgeable ecologists, then we would like to hear from you.

WHAT WE OFFER:

An opportunity to join a New Zealand owned and operated consultancy owned by employees that is dynamic, flexible and expanding, and where our values drive everything, we do.

A career at Wildlands gives the opportunity to be part of a team of professional ecologists in a supportive work environment. We are committed to investing in our people, we provide support for professional development and provide mentoring to help you grow and take the next step with your career.

We are proud of our company culture our reputation and value each team member’s contribution.

Wildlands is also proud to be Carbon Neutral and have Toitu Enviromark Diamond Accreditation.

Hours: Preferred hours are 40 hours per week Monday to Friday (flexibility will be considered).

Benefits of working for our team include a flexible and supportive working environment. Competitive salary, plus benefits. Strong commitment to developing and upskilling people, and the opportunity to work with a great team. Opportunity of diverse roles within the company, diverse geographic locations, and prospects to shift around the country.

If you are ready for your next venture and would like the opportunity to join our team, apply NOW. See our website www.wildlands.co.nz for further information on Wildland Consultants Ltd and how to apply for this position.

Applications will close when a suitable candidate has been recruited.

Applicants for this position should have NZ residency or a valid NZ work visa.

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