Planning Technical Officer

Join us at New Plymouth District Council!

Tūhono mai ki Te Kaunihera-ā-Rohe o Ngāmotu!

Who are we? - Ko wai mātou?

Te Kaunihera-ā-Rohe o Ngāmotu - New Plymouth District Council (NPDC) is dedicated to serving our community and enhancing the quality of life for those who live, work, and visit here. We are guided by the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and are committed to fostering partnerships that respect and celebrate our district’s rich cultural heritage. Through innovation, sustainability, and collaboration, we aim to deliver exceptional services and initiatives that support our vision of building a thriving, connected, and future-focused district. At Te Kaunihera-ā-Rohe o Ngāmotu, we pride ourselves on being an inclusive and dynamic organisation that values people, creativity, and progress.

The opportunity - Te āheinga

We have an exciting opportunity for a Planning Technical Officer to join our Consents and Regulatory team. This role plays a key part in supporting the delivery of high-quality resource consent processes and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. You’ll work closely with planners, customers, and stakeholders to provide technical and administrative support that helps maintain efficient and effective planning services.

This position has become available due to an internal career move, offering you the chance to step into a dynamic environment where your skills will make a real impact. If you enjoy working in a detail-oriented role, thrive in a regulatory setting, and are passionate about delivering excellent customer service, we’d love to hear from you.

Key responsibilities - Ngā haepapa matua

• Checking building consent applications for compliance with planning provisions
• Processing customer enquiries, resolving issues where applicable, and ensuring a high standard of customer focus
• Effective processing of simple RMA-related applications in accordance with the Resource Management Act and other relevant legislation
• Preparing robust assessment reports in line with relevant legislation and policy requirements
• Maintaining accurate file management
• Ensuring legislative requirements and Council policies and procedures are fulfilled, particularly in relation to all relevant legislation
• Assisting with process updates and service improvement projects
• Supporting other technical officers with duties when required

Essential skills and experience - Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako

• Experience in resource management is desirable
• Experience working in a customer service or administrative role is preferred
• Experience working in a regulatory environment or planning/building industry is preferred
• Demonstrated effective interpersonal skills with a commitment to high-quality customer service
• Demonstrated organisational and time management skills
• High level of computer literacy

Why Taranaki? - He aha ngā hua o te rohe nei?

Taranaki is a region like no other, offering a perfect balance of career opportunities and lifestyle. Nestled between the stunning Mounga Taranaki and the sparkling Tasman Sea, it’s a place where you can explore world-class hiking trails, surf pristine beaches, and enjoy vibrant arts and culture, all within minutes of each other. The region boasts affordable living, excellent schools, and a strong sense of community, making it an ideal place to live, work, and raise a family. Whether you're seeking adventure, tranquillity, or a bit of both, Taranaki provides an unparalleled quality of life.

What we offer - Ngā ratonga

At New Plymouth District Council, we aim to create and sustain a truly rewarding workplace environment for our staff. This includes:

• Solid career pathways
• Learning and development opportunities
• Personal and professional growth
• Our People’s Package, spanning five key pillars: wellbeing, development, benefits, culture, and recognition

You can expect to start in this permanent, full-time role with a salary between $73,318 and $76,506.

Why join us? - Ngā hua o tō hono mai?

We value the wellbeing of our team and provide an inclusive workplace that recognises and rewards your contributions. Together, we’re building a better New Plymouth - one step at a time.

Applications close on Sunday, 18 January 2026.

Be part of a council that values people, culture, and opportunity.

Me tūhono mai koe kia tautoko - te Ngāmotu o āpōpō!

Te Kaunihera-ā-rohe o Ngāmotu is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) and we are committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of application to assist you through the recruitment process.