Job Description
Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role
Embark on a new career in New Zealand Customs on a team where no day is ever the same
New Zealand Customs Service | Te Mana Ārai o Aotearoa protects and promotes Aotearoa New Zealand through world class border management.
We're looking for people to join our Customs Surveillance Unit (CSU). You and your team will be conducting surveillance and gathering intelligence and evidence, supporting our vital work to help protect our communities from transnational serious and organised crime (TSOC), importation of illicit drugs and tobacco, revenue fraud, child exploitation and terrorism.
The Customs Surveillance Unit works with partner agencies in New Zealand and overseas. CSU team members learn technical, operational and strategic skills from experts in a variety of disciplines; and gain unique perspectives of the surveillance environment.
CSU is based in Auckland but is a national resource. If you're not based in or near Auckland, you'll need to relocate at your own expense. There will be times when you will be working away from Auckland for periods of up to a week at a time. With that in mind, it's important to talk to those closest to you about the unpredictable nature of the schedule involved. While the job is demanding - but extremely rewarding, we recognise that work is only one aspect of your life. We believe it's essential to provide flexibility to fit around people's other commitments. We do this whenever we can.
Discretion is central to surveillance work. The assessment and training process for these roles is confidential. If you choose to enter the recruitment process, please do not discuss it with anyone outside of the Customs assessment team.
The salary for this role is $67,745 - $86,742. Upon successful completion of the course, you will then receive an allowance of $16,286 (per annum prorated) for working unpredictable hours.
About the course I Mō te akoranga
If selected, your employment with Customs will begin in February 2026. You will be required to pass a 17-week surveillance qualification course, to become a Surveillance Officer within Customs. The course takes place in Auckland and will run from mid-February, through to mid-May 2026. You must be available to attend this course in full.
This is a pass or fail course. Your employment will be subject to the successful completion of the 17-week course which is critical for you to safely deploy as a covert surveillance officer. If you are unable to pass any of the key assessment modules, your employment with Customs will be terminated and you will be given four weeks' pay in lieu of notice.
Upon successful completion of the course, you will be confirmed into your permanent role with Customs in the Customs Surveillance Unit where you will develop and utilise your new skills under close mentorship.
This is a challenging course, but the instructors will do everything they can to prepare you for the series of assessments that you are required to pass.
The course will predominantly be run Monday to Friday, with the working hours being 0730 - 1530. On occasion you may be required to work over a weekend or late into the evening. You will be given plenty of notice on course when asked to work outside of the core hours. Once you pass the course and are a part of the operational unit, there will be times that we need you to be available to work at short notice, sometimes with unpredictable and long hours.
About you Ko I wai koe
- You value teamwork and are an enthusiastic team player.
- You have an inquiring mind and great observation skills.
- You have strong communication skills and the ability to build positive, open relationships.
- You have patience, sound judgement and have an eye for detail.
- You are a confident driver and have a willingness to learn new skills.
- You remain calm and composed in high stress situations and adapt quickly and easily to change.
- You possess a quiet confidence and resilience.
- You should be comfortable using technology, but you don't need to be an expert.
- You must be able to obtain a TOP SECRET security clearance.
Our communities are diverse, and we value diversity in our team. The best surveillance team members are often those who might seem least likely to be in such a role. Your common sense and willingness to learn are the most important skills you'll bring to the team, and we welcome applications from anyone with these skills and an interest. Speaking another language is useful in this role.
If you're wondering what it's like to work in surveillance, look online for the Physical Surveillance Unit Recruiting Video from our international partner agency, Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS). The video provides a snapshot of surveillance work similar to our work in the CSU.
The recruitment process for the course
If your application is progressed, you will be invited to a full-day Assessment Centre for us to run you through a series of tasks to ascertain how suitable you may be for the role and assess your inherent base skills (that you probably don't even realise you have). We are not expecting any prior knowledge, or for you to be a Jason Bourne or Katniss Everdeen, we just ask that you come and give it a go and see how you enjoy undertaking some real-world surveillance tasks. These will be in the form of driving and navigating exercises, as well as on foot and observation tasks. Assessment centre 1 will be held during the week beginning 29 September.
If your application is progressed past the Assessment Centre 1 stage, you'll be asked to come back for a further set of assessments. Here we will be having a more comprehensive look at the way you drive, your ability to multi-task and give you a chance to ask us more specific questions about the role. This will be held during the week of 20 October.
Once you have successfully passed the assessment centres, you will be asked to complete a medical check, drug screening and a physical fitness test**.
Success through all these stages will culminate in you being offered a conditional offer of employment and placement on the 17-week qualification course.
We will do everything we can to impart our years of knowledge and operational experience onto you and prepare you for the assessments throughout the course. You will be required to pass each assessment to progress through the course. If an assessment is not passed, then unfortunately you will be required to leave the course, and you will be given four weeks' pay in lieu of notice.
If you meet all of the requirements of the course, you will be authorised as a Customs Officer under the Customs and Excise Act 2018 and confirmed into your permanent role with Customs and formally join Customs' Surveillance Team.
Requirements to apply
To work for the New Zealand Customs Service in this role you must able to obtain a TOP SECRET security clearance. You must be able to meet the following requirements:
- Be a New Zealand Citizen or New Zealand Permanent Resident
- Residing in New Zealand at the time of application
- Have resided continuously in New Zealand for the last 10 years*
- Must have a clear Police record and be able to obtain an Organisational Security clearance.
- Full New Zealand drivers licence
Already having a Top Secret clearance is a benefit, but not a requirement. We'll guide you through the process.
Once you have successfully passed the assessment centres, you will be asked to complete a medical check, drug screening and a physical fitness test**.
(*) If you are a New Zealand Citizen or New Zealand Permanent Resident who has resided in New Zealand for the last 10 years but have been absent from New Zealand for periods of 6-9 months within the past 10 years, preferably in one or more of the following countries: either Australia, Canada, UK or the USA then you may still meet the requirements for a 'secret' clearance. You will be required to provide overseas Police certificates for these periods spent outside of New Zealand.
(**) The physical test, which is part of the recruitment process, measures you against average levels of fitness for your age and gender. You will need to pass the Beep Test to 'average' level (you can find out more about the Beep test online).
How to apply I Me pehea te whakauru
The first step is to submit your application online. The application process is comprehensive so it's best to set aside some time when you won't be interrupted. If you're shortlisted, you'll be asked to complete further online assessments including psychometric testing.
Please contact Jasmine at recruitment@customs.govt.nz if you have any questions.
Application closing date is Friday 5 September 2025 at 5pm.
Working at Customs I Mahi ki te Mana Ārai o Aotearoa
Customs offers a dynamic and collaborative workplace with opportunities to develop and advance. Our people get on-the-job training, formal courses and leadership courses, and the chance to move across diverse roles. We foster an inclusive and supportive team environment with vibrant social and Māori cultural groups. Our people enjoy discounted health insurance and free on-site gyms (in some locations).