Principal Climate Advisor

About the Company Porirua is undergoing significant transformation, and we are looking for dedicated individuals to help us prepare for the future and achieve our vision for the city. As a diverse, well-connected, and vibrant community, we have considerable opportunities to minimize our environmental impact and adapt to our changing climate. By joining our team, you will contribute to making Porirua a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family. About the Role We are currently seeking a team member with strong expertise in climate change adaptation planning to advance our climate change adaptation program, which aims to strengthen Porirua City. In this role, you will: - Collaborate with various departments within the council, including the executive leadership team, elected representatives, and program managers, to align council functions with the science, policy, and legislation related to climate change and natural hazard risk management. - Continue implementing the approved adaptation program, focusing on developing a framework for community engagement and executing subsequent steps. - Work in partnership with mana whenua, our community, and local and central government organizations to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes in climate change adaptation. - Draft internal policies and lead the execution of key programs that support adaptation initiatives. - Collaborate with the Climate & Environmental Planning team to ensure our Climate Change Strategy, Rautaki o Te Ao Hurihuri, is integrated into all council activities and decisions. - Provide guidance and advice to senior leadership and elected members on complex issues to facilitate sound decision-making. About You We are looking for someone who possesses a strong understanding of climate change, adaptation, and natural hazard management, along with a relevant tertiary qualification and experience in related fields. To succeed in this role, you should demonstrate: - A tertiary qualification and substantial experience in a related field. - A solid grasp of natural hazard and climate change science, policy, legislation, and regulatory requirements. - The ability to think strategically, navigate complexity, and consider intergenerational solutions. - Experience leading community engagement on complex issues. - An understanding of local government challenges. - Strong project management skills, with the capability to manage complex projects involving multiple stakeholders. - The ability to foster strong, trusting relationships both within and outside the council. - Excellent written and verbal communication skills, as well as strong presentation and facilitation abilities. What You Need to Do Now If you are interested in joining our Climate and Environmental Planning team and being part of our welcoming and engaging environment, please reach out to Helen Oram at 0276294337 for more information. Porirua City values diversity and inclusion and actively encourages applications from individuals of all backgrounds. We are a proud member of Diversity Works. If you require any support or accommodations during the recruitment process, please inform us when you apply, and we will do our best to assist you. To apply, please visit our careers center at http://www.poriruacity.govt.nz/careers. To learn more about working for Porirua City, you can watch this video. Applications will close on Wednesday, 18 June 2025.