Marine Mammal Observer

If you find a job or receive an interview through a listing on SEVENSEAS Media, please let your interviewer or employer know where you found it, it makes a real difference for us.

The role

Help protect Aotearoa’s taonga species while contributing to one of New Zealand’s most significant infrastructure projects. Based exclusively in Picton, this is a rare opportunity to play a crucial environmental role on a once-in-a-generation project. As a Marine Mammal Observer (MMO), you will be the eyes and ears of marine protection on-site. Your primary focus is to ensure our construction activities, especially piling operations, safeguard local marine mammals and align with best practice and resource consent requirements. You’ll work closely with construction crews, environmental specialists, iwi partners, and regulatory agencies. Full training from a marine mammal specialist will be provided.

Responsibilities

• Conducting systematic surveys and monitoring for marine mammals during construction activities.
• Identifying species, noting behaviours, and accurately recording data.
• Implementing and enforcing mitigation measures to protect marine mammals.
• Supporting project teams to follow marine protection protocols.
• Contributing to environmental management plans and reporting requirements.
• Staying across regional sightings, relevant research, and regulatory updates.
• Liaising with iwi partners, the Department of Conservation, councils, and port authorities.
• Championing health, safety, and environmental best practice on site.

Qualifications and experience

Required

• A genuine passion for ecology and environmental protection.
• Strong observational skills and the ability to collect and report accurate data.
• Excellent communication skills and confidence working both independently and in a dynamic construction environment.

Desirable

• Tertiary qualifications in ecology, zoology, environmental science or a related field, along with experience as a Marine Mammal Observer (MMO).
• Knowledge of New Zealand marine mammal species and their habitats, and familiarity with marine mammal survey methodologies, whether visual or acoustic.
• An understanding of relevant environmental legislation.

Location and schedule

Based exclusively in Picton, at the gateway of the Marlborough Sounds (the listing’s location field reads Blenheim, Marlborough). Full time.

Deadline and how to apply

Closes 9 October 2026 at 15:00. Apply through the original posting (reference 31592), or via Seek.