Posted: 23/07/2025
Closing Date: 20/08/2025
Job Type: Fixed Term | Full Time
Location: Christchurch, New Zealand
Job Category: Environmental Services
- Connect with Likeminded Students
- Living Wage Supporter
- Uni Holidays | Fixed term 12 Weeks | Nov 2025 – Feb 2026
Mō Ngā Manu Pīrere | About the Summer Student Programme
Our 2025 summer student programme is a 3-4 month full-time, fixed-term employment opportunity for students seeking to gain real-world work experience within Environment Canterbury. We offer a range of placements throughout our business for tertiary students currently studying or recently graduated.
This exciting opportunity will see you participate in a tailored onboarding programme, where you will meet and collaborate with other cohort students and participate in a comprehensive welcome and induction programme.
This is a great opportunity to consolidate your knowledge and build your capability and networks.
Kōrero mō te Tūranga | About the Role
We have an exciting opportunity for one summer student to put their GIS knowledge and skills into practice in a high paced, diverse government organisation. At Environment Canterbury we collect and maintain vast quantities of GIS data which enables scientists, other government organisations and the public, to understand what is happening in our environment.
In this fixed term role, your primary responsibility will be to support the Water and Land section with projects which have a GIS component. This section supports and coordinates the delivery of Regional and Area programs relating to the protection of our environment and resources.
The main priorities will be onboarding Geospatial information into our internal support systems and assisting our section to better use our D365 Customer Relationship Tool in projects. Other areas of work could involve day to day support for the section in assessing opportunities for to improve GIS spatial components of projects, data management, communication, and reporting.
A predominantly office-based role, you will work alongside, key staff members of the Water and Land Team, however there will be close links with our colleagues in Digital Services, you will also gain insights into how the team provides GIS services to a large, complex organisation.
This role will give you the experience and insight into the geospatial and environmental field and potentially give a jump start on your career as it has students before you.
Mōu │ About You
You’ll be currently studying or have recently graduated from a tertiary qualification (degree or diploma) in environmental science, Geography or Computer Science, ideally with an Earth Science component.
To enjoy this role, you will have the following experience and skills:
- Knowledge of Esri ArcGIS Software, spatial data management and GIS web solutions
- Self-motivated and can work unsupervised at times
- Interest in geospatial field and how it intersects with technology
- Knowledge of georeferencing imagery
- Awareness of tikanga and Te Tiriti o Waitangi and a desire to learn
Desirable skills:
- A genuine passion in protecting the natural environment
- Good organisational and time management skills
Ngā hua o te Mahi i te Kaunihera Taiao ki Waitaha | Working at Environment Canterbury
Our mahi is underpinned by our values:
- Kaitiakitanga (stewardship)
- Pononga (integrity)
- Manaakitanga (people first)
- Whanaungatanga (collaboration)
- Māiatanga (can do)
We understand and embrace a diverse workforce; this diversity will enable us to better serve our people, our community, and our greatest taonga, the environment. We value everyone’s contribution, diverse thinking, and skills.
We’re on a journey to become a treaty partner of excellence, including incorporating te ao Māori into our work. We offer supportive opportunities to develop capability in this area and encourage our people to use kaupapa Māori, mātauranga Māori, and te reo Māori in our daily work. We welcome you with an open heart & mind, wherever you are on your personal te ao Māori journey
Ko ētahi atu kōrero | Additional Information
For a confidential chat about this role, please contact Jenny Watters on 027 549 7723.
Applications close on Wednesday, 20 August. Applications will be reviewed as we receive them, and interviews may take place before the close date. We reserve the right to close advertising early.
Additional information:
The Summer Student Programme will commence on Monday, 17 November. It is essential that all candidates are available to begin as a cohort on this date and are fully available throughout the week to participate in any required training for the role.
Eligibility:
- Studying at a New Zealand University
- Be currently studying or graduating this current year
- Have the right to work in New Zealand
- Be available to work full-time from November to February
Short-listed candidates will be required to complete an interview process, reference checks, and a criminal check. Further background checking will be required when relevant to the role.
Me mahi tahi tātou – Together we can
