Principal Planner (Resource Consents) - Queenstown (QLDC)

Employing over 600 people in one of the most stunning locations in the country, Queenstown Lakes District Council is at the very heart of a dynamic community. Our services are essential to the people in our region and include infrastructure development, community recreational facilities and planning, building and other regulatory services.

We’re proud to be QLDC, and in response to the growth the district has experienced over recent years, QLDC has itself experienced substantial growth. We genuinely believe in developing our people and providing them with all the tools and opportunities needed to succeed.

About the role:
You will be the technical practice lead for the resource consents team and will play a critical role in providing technical leadership to assist the team to deliver its core functions. The core functions include, but are not limited to; Induction processes, Technical practices, Update to templates, Consent conditions, Expert inputs into consent process, Consistency reviews, Internal and external Practice/Guidance notes. You will be reporting to the Manager Resource Consents however will have a close working relationship with the Team Leaders Resource Consents to deliver outcomes for this role.

Responsibilities of the role:

• Leading the development of new resource consent application processes
• Managing and maintaining oversight across all resource consent appeals/objections and other resource management matters before the Courts, providing input on Council’s appeals strategy and mediation, and reporting on Court matters to elected members
• Leading Resource Consent team input to District Plan review and other planning policy matters.
• Maintaining a strong knowledge base and expertise within the speciality area of resource
  consenting
• Coach/mentor Resource Consents team and other colleagues to transfer and develop knowledge and best practice.

What we offer:

• Hybrid working practises
• A host of employee benefits (including base level Southern Cross Health Insurance and highly discounted access to our health and fitness facilities)
• A genuine commitment to your training and career development

What you'll bring:
You will have extensive experience (8+ years) in a planning/resource management environment and at least 5+ years in a senior resource consenting role.

• Tertiary qualification in planning/resource management.
• Either a full member or eligible to become a full member of the New Zealand Planning Institute or a similar international counterpart organisation.
• Demonstrated comprehensive knowledge of the planning and resource consenting process.
• Environment Court/Environment Protection Agency (EPA) experience highly desirable.
• Proven track record of developing and maintaining relationships across internal and external stakeholders.

For any questions, please get in touch with Fiona Blight, Resource Consents Manager, on [email protected].

Please note we will review and process applications as they come through; we encourage your early application!