• Full Time
• Application Closes 20 Jul 2025
• Manawatu - Palmerston North
• Emergency Management Specialist

The role  

With a focus on Community Resilience, you will contribute to the Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Group’s objectives by coordinating and supporting initiatives that strengthen the welfare and preparedness of communities across the Manawatū-Whanganui region. In this role, you will work closely with local authorities, welfare agencies, community organisations, and networks to enhance readiness, promote awareness, and support community-led emergency management planning in response and recovery.

A key aspect of the role is developing and maintaining strong partnerships across the welfare sector to ensure effective coordination before, during, and after emergencies. You will support the delivery of welfare services, contribute to the development of regional welfare planning, and help build capability within communities to manage and recover from emergencies.

While the focus is on the broader community, you will also engage with iwi and hapū as part of inclusive and culturally appropriate planning, supporting community resilience in a way that respects tīkanga Māori and aligns with the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. This may include working alongside Iwi and Māori-led organisations to ensure their needs and strengths are reflected in response and recovery arrangements.

You’ll play a key role in designing and facilitating CDEM welfare training, exercising welfare plans, and advocating for community resilience within the emergency management sector helping to build stronger, more connected, and better-prepared communities across the region.

About you

If you have experience working in emergency management, community development, or a related field - particularly with a focus on building resilience and strong community partnerships - we want to hear from you.

We are looking for a confident, proactive team player with a passion for working alongside iwi, community groups, and partner agencies to strengthen emergency preparedness and welfare support across the region. You’ll be a skilled communicator and relationship builder, with the ability to engage effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.

You’ll bring a strategic mindset and a practical approach to developing and delivering programmes that support community resilience, while also contributing to broader emergency management planning and response efforts. With your energy, initiative, and experience, you’ll play a key role in ensuring the Emergency Management Office delivers meaningful outcomes for the region.

Why join us?

When you join us, you can look forward to a rewarding career full of opportunities to develop a positive and supportive work environment. We do this through: 

• Positive focus on employee health, wellness and wellbeing initiatives across the organisation including your birthday off, wellness day, life insurance for all permanent staff and 5 weeks leave after 2 years of service
• Flexible family friendly work environment
• Ongoing development and opportunities across the organisation to grow, specialise or diversify your skills. 
• Working together for a better environment across our region
• A supportive and social work environment across the organisation

About us 

The Horizons region extends over 22,200km2 – from Ruapehu in the north and Horowhenua in the south, to Whanganui in the west and Tararua in the east. We work with and for our community in the use and protection of our environment, managing our precious resources of land, air and water; as well as public transport and a key role in emergency management. At Horizons Regional Council we work to make our region a healthy environment where people are thriving, including our staff.

Applications close 5pm Sunday 20 July 2025

Horizons are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to ensuring we have a diverse and inclusive workplace so our people reflect the diversity of our region.