Senior Project Engineer – Recovery Programme

Full time, fixed term 2 years

Lead the technical delivery of infrastructure that helps Tairāwhiti recover, rebuild and thrive.

Gisborne District Council is looking for an experienced Senior Project Engineer to provide technical leadership across our Recovery Programme. This is a hands-on role with real regional impact, helping deliver safe, resilient and enduring infrastructure for our communities following severe weather events and other recovery challenges.

You will bring strong civil-engineering, construction-supervision and contract-administration expertise to complex recovery projects. From bridges, roads and drainage to flood-resilience works, you will help ensure our projects are built to the right standard, meet Council requirements and provide lasting value for Tairāwhiti.

Mō te tūranga | About the position

Reporting to the Major Projects Manager, the Senior Project Engineer provides senior engineering support across the full project-delivery lifecycle. You will work closely with the Engineer to Contract, Engineer’s Representatives, contractors, consultants, Council teams and stakeholders to oversee construction, manage technical issues and support sound commercial and contractual decisions.

You will be the key link between design and construction, bringing practical engineering judgement to site challenges, maintaining quality and compliance, and supporting delivery that is safe, efficient and fit for purpose.

Ngā Mahi ngā Takohanga Matua rānei | Duties include:

• Lead site inspections and monitor construction quality across recovery infrastructure projects
• Ensure works comply with approved designs, specifications, quality plans, environmental requirements and health and safety standards
• Identify, manage and escalate technical risks, non-conformances and complex construction issues
• Support contract administration, including progress claims, variations, extension-of-time claims and payment recommendations
• Provide technical leadership on design clarifications, RFIs, constructability and coordination of specialist engineering input
• Support project delivery through cost, programme and risk monitoring
• Build effective working relationships with contractors, consultants, Council teams, iwi and community stakeholders
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to engineering capability across the Recovery Programme

Ngā Pūkenga me Ngā Wheako e Hiahia ana | Skills and experience required:

You are an experienced civil engineer with strong construction-site knowledge, sound commercial judgement and the confidence to make practical decisions in a fast-moving delivery environment. You can manage competing priorities, build trusted working relationships and help project teams find solutions to complex problems.

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering or a related discipline
• A current New Zealand driver licence
• Significant experience delivering civil-infrastructure projects, including project, programme, financial and risk management
• Experience supervising construction and administering civil contracts, including NZS 3910 or similar delivery models
• Strong technical judgement, analytical ability and problem-solving skills
• Experience managing project, financial, programme and delivery risks
• Confidence leading project teams and building productive relationships with contractors, consultants and stakeholders
• Excellent communication, influencing and organisational skills
• Ability to work independently and deliver quality outcomes within tight timeframes

Ngā Huanga | Benefits

• Work-life balance: Flexible hours to help you manage personal commitments and maintain wellbeing
• Wellbeing first: Ora Day, Piritahi Day, EAP, flu jabs, health checks & optional access to our Fitness Passport package
• Whanaungatanga: Waiata group, Te Reo kawhe kōrero, staff events
• Perks: Modern offices, eye exams, Southern Cross discounts, retail perks
• Growth: A values-led environment where your development is supported
• Location: Live and work in stunning Gisborne – close to the beach, rivers and bush

He aha ngā painga o te kaunihera | Why work for Gisborne District Council

Gisborne District Council is one of just six unitary authorities in Aotearoa, meaning we do both district and regional council mahi. We are committed to being a good Treaty partner, embedding te ao Māori into the heart of our organisation, and delivering for the people and places of Tairāwhiti.

Our mahi is diverse, from looking after roads, water, rubbish and recycling, to protecting our environment, supporting community facilities like pools, parks and libraries, and shaping the region’s future through planning and governance. With over 500 staff, we’re a team that’s passionate about making Tairāwhiti a thriving place to live, work and play.

Me pēhea te tono mai | How to Apply

This is an opportunity to apply your technical expertise where it matters most: delivering recovery infrastructure that protects communities, reconnects people and supports the long-term resilience of Tairāwhiti.

If you are a skilled Senior Project Engineer who is motivated by practical problem-solving, public service and meaningful regional outcomes, we would like to hear from you.  Please submit your application via our careers page: www.gdc.govt.nz/council/careers – Job Vacancies.

For any questions or further information, email [email protected].

Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis, and the role will be filled once the right candidate is identified.

To view the full job description, please see the job attachments section on the careers page.