Quarantine Officer | Queenstown

Job Description

Quarantine Officer

Role type: Permanent full-time

Location: Queenstown

Starting Salary: $67,407

About the Role - Kōrero mō te Tūranga

Our Quarantine Officers are highly trained, every-day New Zealanders doing an extraordinary job for their country. We work to ensure that cargo and passengers entering New Zealand are free of biosecurity risk. Officers work on a rotational roster that offers them a breadth of work as they lead New Zealand's biosecurity system at the front line - international airports, ports, mail centres, and cargo facilities.

We are recruiting now for our next cohort of Quarantine Officers to start 28 July 2025.    

What the Job Offers - He aha te mahi e tuku

• A programme that mixes both classroom theory and on-the-job training.
• Clear career progression path from Officer to Senior to Chief for those prepared to put in extra effort with development and leadership opportunities to reach these goals.
• Join a high-performing team that is passionate about their job, compelled to protect New Zealand and living MPI's values.
• A great salary with benefits and allowances as you progress.
• The chance to join to diverse and supportive team of officers across New Zealand.

About You - Mōu

We're looking for passionate, self-motivated people who enjoy a range of tasks, worksites and varied work. Ideally, you will have experience or a qualification in agriculture, horticulture, forestry, botany or environmental science.

You will also:

• You will be fit and healthy as you will be standing for periods of time.
• Enjoy a variety of working indoors and outdoors
• Have strong communication skills (oral and written) and the ability to create strong relationships with stakeholders.
• High level of computer literacy
• Hold a Full NZ driver's license
• Pass a Ishihara Eye Test
• Be a New Zealand Citizen or New Zealand Permanent Resident – you will need to upload a copy of your visa during the application process.

You do not need to meet all of the role requirements to apply. We offer a breadth of development and learning opportunities and will welcome an application if you think you could make a great fit. 

In your cover letter we'd like to know about you, your values; your interest and motivations for this role; the abilities, strengths, personal attributes and diverse perspectives you will bring to the role and this organisation, which may have also been gained outside of the workforce. A cover letter is essential, your application will not be considered without one. 

About the Team - Mō tō mātou Rōpū

The Border Clearance Services Directorate within the Biosecurity New Zealand branch helps protect New Zealand's natural environment, primary industries and people against exotic pests and diseases. It is accountable for ensuring the delivery of sustainable and effective frontline biosecurity clearance services at the border for imported goods, craft, mail, passengers, crew and transitional facilities.

About MPI - Mō te Manatū Ahu Matua

We're a large organisation with massive scope from the frontline to policy development and beyond.

Benefits of working at MPI - Ngā hua o te mahi i te Manatū Ahu Matua

• Annual Wellness payment.
• Bi-annual paid eye test and contribution to the costs of corrective lenses/frames.
• Reduced premiums for Group Healthcare Schemes.

Low level Security Clearance

• most preferably a New Zealand citizen, who has resided continuously in New Zealand for at least the last five (5) years, OR
• is a citizen of, and/or has resided continuously in one or more of the following countries for the last five (5) years: either Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom (UK) or the United States of America (USA); and has a background history that is verifiable and can be assessed as appropriate by the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) towards a recommendation of suitability for a security clearance at this level.
• click here to find out more about the national security vetting process and access the eligibility self-check tool.

If you do not meet these minimum criteria, we will not be able to accept your application.

Drug and Alcohol Screening - Whakamātau Whakapōauau me te Waipiro

Please note, given this position is safety sensitive the preferred applicant/s for the position will be required to undergo a drug and alcohol pre-employment screening test. Further information on this process can be found on our careers site, here.

Are you ready to make a difference? - Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi whaitake?
We are committed to being a good partner under Te Tiriti o Waitangi which includes working closely with iwi, hapū, whānau and hāpori.

We aspire to reflect the diverse communities we serve, so we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, and identities. As an organisation, we are committed to making Manatū Ahu Matua Ministry for Primary Industries a great place to work for all.

In your cover letter we'd like to know about you, your values, your interest and motivations for this role; the abilities, strengths, personal attributes and diverse perspectives you will bring to the role and this organisation, which may have also been gained outside of the workforce.

To view the position description and/or apply online, please click “APPLY FOR THIS JOB” or visit the MPI Careers Site. To apply, you must hold the right to work in New Zealand or be eligible to obtain it – click here to find out more about work visa eligibility and options.

Applications close at midnight on Midnight, Friday 23 May 2025  

If you have any questions about the role, please email Melissa.Heaney@mpi.govt.nz 

**If successful in application process, you must be able to attend the assessment centre on Tuesday 3 June 2025 and if offered the position, you must be able to start on Monday 28 July 2025. 

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