Fire Engineer

About Christchurch and the Role

Christchurch presents a unique living environment combining a highly liveable city with a dynamic and expanding building sector. The Christchurch City Council is seeking a Fire Engineer to join its Building Consenting Unit, delivering expert advice on fire engineering across a spectrum of building consent, regulatory, and compliance issues.

This vacancy arises due to a planned retirement within the Engineering Services Team. The successful candidate will become part of a knowledgeable and collaborative internal team that values technical expertise, professional judgement, and direct contributions to safe and practical building outcomes across Christchurch.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide specialist fire engineering guidance for the Council’s building control and regulatory functions as part of the Building Consent Authority.
• Assess fire engineering aspects of building consent applications, offer technical support to staff, and collaborate with applicants, consultants, and professionals to resolve complex challenges.
• Evaluate fire safety designs and technical elements consistently and pragmatically, while supporting technical quality assurance, mentoring, inspections, and audits related to fire engineering reviews.
• Engage with a broad variety of projects, including new builds, existing structures, commercial and complex developments, and handle fire engineering reports, alternative solutions, Fire Engineering Briefs, inspections, and compliance work.
• Work alongside other specialists in fire, structural, civil, geotechnical, mechanical/HVAC engineering, as well as building consent processors, inspectors, and compliance officers, ensuring clear, consistent, and justified regulatory decisions.

Candidate Profile

• Professional Chartered Engineer (CPEng) status with relevant memberships such as Engineering New Zealand or equivalent.
• Strong foundation in fire engineering demonstrated through relevant qualifications or extensive practical fire safety engineering experience.
• Experience working on New Zealand building projects, particularly commercial or complex developments.
• Comprehensive understanding of the Building Act, Building Code, compliance pathways, and fire safety requirements.
• Proficient in preparing and assessing fire engineering reports, alternative solutions, performance-based designs, and Fire Engineering Brief processes.
• Possess a current full driver’s license.

Benefits and Working Conditions

• Access to various training programs, workshops, and opportunities to develop professionally.
• Flexible working arrangements including work-from-home options, adaptable start and finish times, and the ability to purchase additional leave.
• Collaborative work environment with exposure to a broad spectrum of organizational areas.
• Access to a range of staff benefits such as health schemes and retail discounts.

Additional Information

The Council is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. Candidates with relevant capability but varying backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Applicants requiring support or accommodations during the recruitment process may contact the Council to facilitate their needs.

• Workweek consists of 37.5 to 40 hours.
• Full-time permanent position based primarily at Te Hononga, Christchurch City Council Civic Offices, 53 Hereford Street.
• Annual salary ranges from NZD 115,466 to NZD 128,295 based on a 40-hour week and commensurate with skills, experience, and internal equity.
• Applications close on 30th July 2026, but early applications are reviewed, and interviews may occur before the closing date. The position may close earlier than advertised.