Senior Resource Consents Planner

About QLDC

Live, work and play in Aotearoa New Zealand’s most spectacular setting. 

No two days at Queenstown Lakes District Council are the same.  Every day we provide services, facilities and programmes essential to the health and wellbeing of our people and environment, while stepping up to the challenges and opportunities that come with being New Zealand’s fastest growing territorial authority. 

We’re proud to be QLDC.  Our people are motivated by a shared purpose driven by care, connection and community.  All our roles are at the heart of a dynamic and diverse set of communities where you will be making a genuine difference every day.  Join us.

We’re looking for a Senior Resource Consents Planner to join our busy and high performing team. We offer hybrid working practices, a host of employee benefits (including highly discounted access to our health and fitness facilities), and a genuine commitment to your training and career development.

What you’ll be doing / He aha te mahi

You’ll join a close-knit team of planners in the most beautiful and fun environment in Aotearoa. You will process resource consent applications (both land use and subdivision), particularly more complex applications. A key focus, making sound recommendations on decisions in accordance with the requirements of the Resource Management Act and the District Plan. Appointed as the senior to a number of applications, you will provide technical guidance, review the planner’s recommendation, and exercise decision making under Council’s delegations.

The role will involve:

• Assisting with the administration of the QLDC District Plans (operative and proposed) including the processing of resource consent applications and drafting of decision recommendations for both landuse and subdivision consents.
• Decision making on notification and non-notified decisions.
• Preparing and presenting evidence for Council at hearings, mediation and Environment and other Court hearings (where required).
• Providing mentoring, training, advice and guidance to other planning staff.
• Establishing ongoing dialogues with customers and key stakeholders and be proactive in building strategic alliances consistent with QLDC’s vision.

What you’ll bring to the role / Ko wai to Pukeka

You’ll have significant knowledge and practical application (5+ years) of the Resource Management Act 1991 and allied legislation, in particular processing and/or making applications for resource consent (both land use and subdivision) and interpreting a District Plan.

To best succeed in this role, you’ll have:

• Tertiary degree qualification in Resource Management/ Urban Planning (related discipline considered where can show on the job planning experience in areas covered by a district plan).
• Membership of the NZPI or equivalent, or eligibility for membership
• Proven track record of developing and maintaining positive relationships across a broad range of stakeholders
• Problem solving mindset, ability to think strategically, pragmatically and outside the box
• Ability to lead others 
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Full driver’s licence

To apply, please follow the link or for any questions please contact Rachel Beer, Planning Support Manager, on rachel.beer@qldc.govt.nz.

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