Asset Manager - Wastewater

About Nelson City Council | E pā ana ki te Kaunihera o Whakatū

Our vision for Whakatū Nelson is a creative, prosperous and innovative city. Our community is inclusive, resilient, and connected – we care for each other and our environment.

About the role | Kō tēnei tūranga mahi

Reporting to the Manager Utilities Asset Planning you’ll own the planning for Council’s wastewater assets, setting long-term direction through asset management plans, renewal priorities and well-evidenced business cases so Council invests in the right assets at the right time. Working closely with our Utilities Operations team, your plans and advice will guide how the network is managed, and what they learn on the ground will feed back into your planning. With water reform, new standards and climate-driven risk reshaping the sector, you’ll bring the technical depth to help Council navigate the change with confidence.

You Will

• Develop and maintain wastewater asset management plans and statutory documents
• Build climate resilience into asset planning, including network capacity and extreme weather
• Prepare business cases and reports to support investment decisions, capital works and public consultation
• Work with Utilities Operations Delivery so assets are maintained, renewed and upgraded to agreed service levels
• Provide technical and strategic advice to support decision-making, policy and complex customer queries
• Build strong relationships with iwi, community groups and partner agencies
• Provide specialist technical input, including expert evidence where required

About you | Ko ngā pūmanawa ō

You’re an experienced water infrastructure professional with a long-term view. You’re comfortable turning complex technical data into clear, practical advice for elected members, senior leaders and the public. You build strong relationships, enjoy sharing your expertise and mentoring others, and you’re energised by the opportunity to help shape how Council responds to water reform.

You Will Bring

• Extensive knowledge of wastewater infrastructure and asset management
• Strong knowledge of relevant legislation and water sector reform
• Experience in asset management and infrastructure investment planning
• An understanding of climate resilience in asset planning
• Strong analytical skills and a polished, business-focused writing style
• Experience engaging with iwi, community groups and partner agencies
• A tertiary qualification in civil, environmental or equivalent engineering, with professional membership (e.g. Engineering New Zealand or IPWEA) or working towards it
• A full current New Zealand driver licence

What we offer | Ko ngā painga mōu

• Wellbeing leave, platforms and initiatives
• Fully subsidised health insurance
• Generous leave provisions
• Learning and professional development opportunities
• A range of employee benefits and discounts
• Meaningful work that shapes our community's future
• Mountains, beaches and national parks on your doorstep

At Nelson City Council, we are committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where everyone feels safe, valued, and has a true sense of belonging. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including those from diverse ethnicities and cultures, LGBTQ+ communities, neurodivergent individuals, and people with disabilities. If you require any assistance with your application, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Applications close | Rā whakakapi

Midnight on Tuesday 24 November 2026

For further enquiries | Ina he pātai anō, whakapā mai

Please reach out to our People & Capability team at nccvacancy@ncc.govt.nz