Customs Officer

Looking for a job where you can make a real impact?
Interested in being on the front line, playing a vital role in securing our borders?
Want interesting career progression opportunities - professional development and training?
The Maritime Group has been established to protect and promote New Zealand's interests in the maritime border environment; working in partnership to provide the highest level of integrity and security across the maritime border system. Our actions are informed by Rautaki Mana Arai (Customs Strategy), the Maritime Security Strategy and the Transnational Organised Crime Strategy.
Our four pillars of intent are:

Understand the maritime border environment and systems
Engage and work collaboratively with our partners, industry, iwi and communities
Prevent the exploitation of the maritime border system
Respond with the right tools and levers

New Zealand Customs Service | Te Mana Arai o Aotearoa is looking for people to join our maritime team based in Nelson. Your work will help keep our communities safe from organised crime, drugs, terrorism and smuggling.
About the role | Mo tenei turanga mahi
When you're not in the office, you will be clearing vessels and assessing them for risk, inspecting cargo, investigating suspicious activity, and undertaking targeted searches, and facilitating cruise ship passenger arrivals and departures. The key activity for the Maritime Group is to respond to any risk to the New Zealand maritime border.
You will have the opportunity to:

Process passengers/crew and goods in/out of Aotearoa which can include search activities
Facilitate legitimate trade and travel, collect import and export duties
Intercept contraband (such as drugs and weapons), investigate and prosecute offences through land patrol, surveillance and search/inspections activity
Conduct operational activity within the Port and the wider maritime environment
Understand supply chain and maritime travel risks and vulnerabilities, and assess and identify opportunities for further activity

Hours of work provide for 24/7 coverage for which an annual allowance will be paid. Whilst the majority of work will be required within ordinary hours (Mon-Fri 0700-1900), there will also be some work required outside of those hours i.e. early mornings, evenings and weekends. There will be an on-call requirement shared amongst the team for which a daily on-call allowance will be paid.
The starting salary for this role is $58,718 plus an annual allowance of $1,591 for hours of work.
What you'll do | He aha tau e mahi ana
Based in Nelson, this role involves working closely with the team and other agencies in achieving positive outcomes for Customs. In this role you will:

Assess and search for available information to formulate an accurate risk assessment and recommend risk management activity
Undertake activity to provide assurance of compliance with legislation, policy and procedure which may include:

Searching
Interviewing and/or questioning
Profiling of persons and/or documentation
Patrolling and surveillance
Ship servicing
Primary processing
Addressing non-compliance and taking appropriate actions.

Working as part of a new and busy team, you will focus on maritime activity, including all craft types (commercial, yachts, cruise ships and fishing vessels) and sea cargo, as well as operational activity within the port environment itself.
About you | Ko wai koe…
We're looking for people with:

a passion for protecting our borders and affinity with what Customs does
excellent communication skills and the ability to handle diverse situations professionally and tactfully
great attention to detail and the ability to make sound judgments under pressure
a high level of integrity and a commitment to upholding laws, policy and procedures
ability to adapt quickly, work in an often fast-paced environment and be comfortable embracing technological advancements and procedural changes
Achieve and maintain a level of fitness and physical ability to enable you to undertake the full range of duties

Working for Customs | Mahi ki te Mana Arai o Aotearoa
To work for the New Zealand Customs Service, you must be able to meet the following requirements:

Be a New Zealand Citizen or New Zealand Permanent Resident
Residing in New Zealand at the time of application
Have resided continuously in New Zealand for the last 5 years*
Successful applicants are also required to pass a medical assessment, drug test and have a clear Police record.

If you are a New Zealand Citizen or New Zealand Permanent Resident who has resided in New Zealand for the last 5 years but have been absent from New Zealand for periods of 6-9 months within the past five years, preferably in one or more of the following countries: either Australia, Canada, UK or the USA then you will be required to provide overseas Police certificates for these periods spent outside of New Zealand.

Please note, we are recruiting for an intake commencing in early 2025. Further details will be made available once confirmed.
How to apply | Me pehea te whakauru
Please apply online - we cannot accept applications directly - you must apply via the link provided.
Applications close* on Thursday 7 November 2024 at 5pm. We will be holding assessment centres on 18 November 2024.
(*) Please apply and complete the assessments as soon as you can as we process applications as they are received and will fill places on our assessment centres, so this opportunity may close earlier. Note that if you are unable to attend the assessment centre we will be unable to progress your application at this time.
New Zealand Customs Service | Te Mana Arai 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.
•