- Ready to take your surveillance experience to the next level?
We have a leadership opportunity in our growing Customs Surveillance Unit (CSU), which provides surveillance to help protect our communities from organised crime, drugs, terrorism and smuggling. The CSU works with partner agencies in New Zealand and overseas, bringing together technical, operational and strategic experts from a variety of disciplines.
We're looking for a leader who, ideally, has first-hand surveillance experience or has worked in a surveillance environment. This means you're familiar with surveillance practices and you may hold a recognised surveillance qualification - including completion of the Customs surveillance qualification programme, or qualification from another organisation.
About this role | Mō tēnei tūranga mahi
This is a Supervising Customs Officer role, which means you'll be managing people and working alongside the Customs Technical Specialist from that group. You may not have held a formal leadership role before, but you have demonstrable leadership skills and experience coaching and mentoring others. You are approachable, supportive and willing to help. You make decisions with your team members' wellbeing in mind. You remain calm and level-headed in stressful situations.
As a leader, you'll need to plan schedules, resources and development opportunities for your team. You'll create and review processes to manage work and make improvements. You'll be assessing team members' work in the field and as well as in the office. You'll foster open, trust-based relationships and model the integrity and discretion expected of all team members.
Surveillance relies on 24/7 coverage. As an operational leader, like your team, you will work long hours at times. You may start or finish work in the middle of the night or in the early hours of the morning. You may need to work on weekends and holidays.
This position sits within a salary band of $99,496 - $128,403 plus a flexibility allowance of $16,286 per annum.
Requirements to apply
Background checks and clearances
You will need to obtain Top Secret level national security clearance. To achieve Top Secret clearance, you must be a New Zealand citizen or a permanent resident who has resided in New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom or the United States continuously for the last 10 years. Already having Top Secret clearance is a benefit, but not a requirement. We'll guide you through the process.
You will also be asked to complete a medical check, drug screening and a physical test. The physical test measures you against average levels of fitness for your age and gender, and this includes the Beep Test. You need only achieve the average.
How to apply…
Please submit a cover letter which clearly outlines your suitability and motivation for this role, along with your current CV, which should detail your qualifications and employment history including key work achievements. You will also be asked to answer a functional and technical leadership and competency-based question as part of the application. The online application process takes a bit of time and requires you to provide examples of previous work. It's best to set aside some time when you won't be interrupted.
If you're shortlisted, you'll be asked to complete online psychometric testing. Successful applicants will be invited to an assessment day, date to be confirmed.
As you move through the recruitment process, you'll be provided with information about what comes next, so you know what to expect.
For more information on the recruitment process, contact Jasmine at recruitment@customs.govt.nz
Close date for applications is 5pm, Thursday 7 August 2025.
Discretion is central to surveillance work. If you choose to enter the recruitment process, please do not discuss it with anyone outside of the Customs assessment team.
New Zealand Customs Service | Te Mana Ārai o Aotearoa is a member of Diversity Works New Zealand and is committed to developing a diverse workforce and an inclusive workplace. We provide equal employment opportunities and welcome applications from everyone who can meet the requirements of the role. We also support flexible working arrangements.