Team Leader Community Resilience - Hawke's Bay Civil Defence Emergency Management

Published: 23 October 2025

Te whakapakari tahi i tō tātau Taiao – Enhancing our environment together.

Our vision is a healthy environment and a resilient and prosperous community.

About The opportunity | Ko te āheinga:

Hawke’s Bay Civil Defence Emergency Management (HB CDEM) Group is undergoing significant transformation following Cyclone Gabrielle and in response to the evolving challenges of climate change. Operating as a shared service on behalf of the region’s councils, the Hawke’s Bay Civil Defence Emergency Management (HB CDEM) team take a regional and strategic approach to building resilience across communities, mana whenua, and partners. With our community at the heart of our civil defence system, our mission is to build strong connections, empower local voices, and enhance collaboration across the region to create a safe, informed and resilient Hawke’s Bay that is prepared for, responds to, and recovers from emergencies and disasters well.

We are looking for a Team Leader – Community Resilience to join the Hawke’s Bay Civil Defence Emergency Management (HB CDEM) team. This pivotal role offers the opportunity to provide strategic leadership and expert guidance to local authorities, driving community resilience across the region. You will play a key role in aligning and delivering regional outcomes under the National Disaster Resilience Strategy, the Hawke’s Bay CDEM Group Plan, and the Community Resilience Strategy embedding best-practice, risk-informed approaches to engagement, preparedness, and recovery. Working in close partnership with councils, iwi, and key agencies, you will champion a coordinated, community-centred emergency management system that reflects the diversity of our region. This role holds statutory responsibility as the CDEM Group Welfare Manager, coordinating welfare services at a regional level in partnership with councils and welfare agencies.

This role also involves:

• Travel within the region and occasional travel elsewhere in Aotearoa New Zealand.
• Participating in the 24/7 duty team roster and performing emergency response and recovery functions as necessary during emergencies.

About you | E pā ana ki a koe:

We are looking for someone with proven experience in community engagement, public education, and disaster resilience planning, as well as a strong track record of leading teams and managing complex projects in multi-stakeholder environment. You will have strong analytical skills and the ability to interpret and communicate data clearly, alongside excellent collaboration and communication abilities. Your ability to remain calm under pressure, combined with strong problem-solving and decision-making skills in challenging environments, will be key to your success in the role.

You will also have:

• Relevant tertiary qualification in Community Development, Emergency Management, or a related field.
• Strong understanding of Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002 and related legislative frameworks and national disaster resilience strategies.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including report writing and presenting to senior management.
• Valid driver’s licence required.
• Resilience, adaptability, and flexibility to keep up with the ever-changing nature of HBRC.

What we offer | Nga huanga mōu:

The salary range for this role is between $113,305 to $133,300 and will depend on the qualifications and experience of the successful candidate.

Other benefits of working for our team include:

• Flexible working options to support work/life balance
• 5 weeks annual leave after 3 years
• 4% superannuation after 3 years
• Life insurance and income protection
• Subsidised eye tests and lenses, flu vaccinations, and other well-being initiatives
• Strong commitment to developing and upskilling people within a supportive working environment.

See a full list of our staff benefits here 

As an equal opportunity employer, we are dedicated to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment. We recognise that collaborative and innovative organisations depend on having a workforce made up from a diverse range of perspectives and experiences. We're all about excellence, and we encourage open communication – if you need any specific support, just let us know! Our main goal is to empower each person to share their unique talents to contribute to the outcomes for our community. This commitment ensures that our workplace is a dynamic and progressive space where everyone can flourish.

HBRC is responsible for Civil Defence emergencies and as such, all staff may be called upon to support the response.

How to apply | I pēhea ki te whakauru:

Applications close Friday, 21 November, however we will be shortlisting and interviewing appropriate candidates as applications are received. If you are interested in this position, please do not wait to apply as we may close the ad earlier than advertised.

Applicants must have existing rights to work in New Zealand.

To view the job description please visit our website here

Please apply through Seek. If you would like any further information regarding the role, please email hr@hbrc.govt.nz

About us | E pā ki a mātou:

At Hawke’s Bay Regional Council our purpose is to work with our community to protect and manage the region’s precious taonga of rivers, lakes, soils, air, coast and biodiversity for health, wellbeing and connectivity. Our organisation is diverse and our work is varied. Our structure comprises of six key business units; Corporate Services, Integrated Catchment Management, Asset Management, Māori Partnerships, Policy & Regulation, and the Executive Advisory Group which also consists of the Civil Defence and Emergency Management.

We focus on prioritising:

Te kounga o te wai, te haumarutanga me te mārohirohi ā-āhuarangi o te whakamarutanga | Water quality, safety and climate-resilient security.  

Kia koi, kia toitū hoki te whakamahinga o te whenua | Climate-smart and sustainable land use. 

Kia ora, kia āhei, kia mārohirohi ā-āhuarangi hoki te rerenga rauropi | Healthy, functioning and climate-resilient biodiversity. 

Kia toitū, kia mārohirohi ā-āhuarangi hoki ngā ratonga me ngā hanganga ā-whare | Sustainable and climate-resilient services and infrastructure. 

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