Land & Oceans Applications Product Owner

As New Zealand's environmental regulator, the work we do today helps shape the future of our tomorrow.

Help us to uphold and maintain New Zealand’s environmental regulatory regime for the good of all of Aotearoa today, and for future generations 

We are looking for a Product Owner to act as a bridge between stakeholders, IT and end-users. This role will provide support and training to internal and external users of our newly implemented time and application management systems. The role is critical to ensuring processes for time management, cost recovery and application processing are appropriately managed and maintained. The role will also be involved in developing and implementing new systems to support time and application management. 

This is a 12-month fixed-term role primarily based in our Wellington CBD office. 

Our purpose | To tatou kaupapa 

We are the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), Aotearoa New Zealand’s independent environmental regulator. Our role is important: to help protect our country’s unique way of life by looking out for the health of its environment, its economy and its people.  

Our kaupapa is about making the right decisions based on evidence, mātauranga, and science. At the EPA, we encourage big ideas and bold goals.  

What we achieve today helps shape the future of New Zealand for generations to come.  

Jump in the waka - make history with us. 

About our group | Mō te roopu 

We regulate activity across the climate, land & ocean environments to enable New Zealand to sustainably utilise its natural resources, protect its environment and meet its international obligations.  

We manage applications and decision-making processes and operate the register that allows carbon units to be traded. We ensure that obligations are met through our confident application of the legislative frameworks we operate under. 

We do all of this effectively, efficiently, fairly and transparently, in order to be a trusted independent regulator. 

About the role | Mō te tūnga  

• Provide technical system leadership across the Cost Recovery and Application Management processes 

• Build and maintain relationships with external participating agencies, panel users and other parties  

• Work with internal/external stakeholders to monitor the performance of time management/cost recovery and application processing 

• Work closely with our internal experts, such as Finance and IT, to ensure potential issues with systems are addressed early 

• Support users to ensure timely and accurate time and cost processes are followed 

• Efficiently manage technical issues and improvements with systems and processes 

• Develop and maintain system related processes, resources and information available to key internal and external stakeholders 

• Work with key stakeholder to support development and management of product upgrades, oversight of releases, test management and vendor management 

About you | Mōhou ake  

We are looking for someone with a range of skills and experience – if you have some or all of the below, we would love to hear from you. 

• Sound knowledge of time management and cost recovery practices 

• Well-developed working knowledge of Cost Recovery Systems/time management tools, Case/Application Management System and reporting systems (desirable) 

• Knowledge of leading and developing process improvements and change management 

• Advanced reporting and analytics skills, specifically PowerBi 

• Experience in Case Management Systems such as MS Dynamics (desirable) 

• Excellent written and verbal communication 

• Experience in developing resources and guides to support system users 

• Experience in design and facilitating training for non-technical users 

• Customer focused and strong relationship management skills 

• Ability to work with leaders and technical experts, gaining credibility and respect to deliver great outcomes 

What’s in it for you | Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou 

There are extra benefits to working at the EPA: 

• flexible working culture 

• three additional leave days between Christmas and New Years in addition to four weeks’ annual leave 

• $400 non-taxable payment to help you set up working at home 

• an annual paid EPA Environment Day to support the community with environmental initiatives 

• in-house Māori cultural capability building programme  

• learning opportunities, including the annual EPA Symposium  

• active and lively social club, and diverse groups and support networks  

• EPA awards recognising individual and team effort 

• relocation help for those moving to New Zealand from overseas.  

Salary range 

$100,779 - $151,169 per annum (midpoint $125,974).  

This is the full salary range. Appointments will likely be made at or below the midpoint of this range, depending on skills and experience. An appointment at the midpoint assumes 100% competency in the role, with the full band covering a range of 80% - 120%. 

How to apply | Me pēhea te tuku tono  

Complete the online application form and submit your CV and a covering letter.  

Please note: your covering letter is an important part of our assessment process. Please highlight how your experience relates to this role, and why you applied. Tell us about you, your values and/or whakapapa.  

View the Position description 

For more information, please contact recruit@epa.govt.nz or check out the careers section of our website www.epa.govt.nz/careers. 

We are open to supporting inter agency secondments. If possible, please discuss the prospect of joining us with your current manager, before submitting your application.