Bring your Data Science expertise and join the hunt for excise, bad guys and illegal highs! 

Exciting and meaningful work that makes a difference to Aotearoa 

New Zealand Customs Service| Te Mana Ä€rai o Aotearoa protects New Zealand's border using world class tools, world class people and innovative approaches. The Joint Border Analytics Centre (JBA) is a young team that applies data science to help the NZ Customs Service make the right decisions to protect the New Zealand border.  We work at all levels from policy and strategy through to the front line, with an emphasis on supporting operational decision making.  

The core of the JBA (Joint Border Analytics) team are data scientists building products that distil a variety of data down to model scores, statistics, visualisations and apps are applied by decision makers all over Customs to better protect the New Zealand border.  We are looking for a motivated and action orientated data scientist to join the team.  

Mō tÄ“nei tÅ«ranga mahi I About the role… 

This is an exciting role where you will be responsible for building data science products that address border problems like identifying risky goods and passengers at the border, filling intelligence gaps, adding value to data and improving outcomes and creating efficiencies in current business processes. 

We develop our data science products using open-source tools like R and Python. 

We support our data scientists as much as possible to allow them to focus on core data science functions.  We have business analysts to help with eliciting subject matter expertise and understanding business problems.  We have a maturing data environment being developed by a data engineer and data experts on hand to help data understanding.  We have a software engineer to help deploy data science products and apps into our CI/CD deployment pipeline or our enterprise decision engine. 

We are always looking to improve, and are after a candidate who is keen to contribute towards new and exciting ways of solving problems.  By way of example, our current focus is on lifting our network analytics capability and use of graph databases.  

The salary range for this role per annum is $101,125 - $129,447 (mid-point is approx. $117,275). Salary will be determined on the level of skill-set and experience you can bring to the role. This position predominantly works business hours Monday to Friday. You will report to the Team Leader in JBA and the role will preferably be based in Auckland or Wellington, however we are open to candidates from other areas in New Zealand. 

Ko wai koe I About you… 

You will have: 

• Proven track record of delivering data science and analytics products that solve business problems;
• A degree in Statistics, Computer Science or some related field;
• Expertise in R or Python and SQL experience;
• Experience extracting real-world meaning from large and complicated data environments;
• Ability to translate analytical outputs into a compelling story;
• Strong desire to engage and collaborate with other JBA team members, business partners and customers;
• Strong ideas about data science best practice and a willingness to follow JBA standard operating procedures. 

Requirements to apply...

You will need to obtain Confidential level national security clearance. In order to obtain this clearance you need to be a New Zealand Citizen or New Zealand Permanent Resident who has resided continuously in New Zealand for the last 5 years and resides in NZ at time of application;

OR a New Zealand Citizen or New Zealand Permanent Resident who has resided in New Zealand for the last 5 years and resides in NZ at time of application, but may have been absent from New Zealand for periods of six or more months within the past 5 years, preferably in one or more of the following countries: either Australia, Canada, UK or the USA. You will be required to provide overseas police certificates for these periods spent outside of New Zealand. 

You must have a background history that is verifiable and can be assessed as appropriate by the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service towards a recommendation of suitability for security clearance at a higher level. Already having Confidential clearance is a benefit, but not a requirement. 

Due to the nature of Customs work you must have a clear Police record.  Successful applicants are also required to pass a drug test. 

Mahi ki te Mana Ārai o Aotearoa I Working at Customs

Our people get on-the-job training, formal courses and leadership programmes, and the chance to move across diverse roles. We foster an inclusive and supportive team environment with vibrant social and cultural groups. We also support flexible working - talk to us about how we can help you achieve your flexible working goals, within our operational requirements.  Our people get discounted health insurance, free on-site gyms (in some locations) and three days of service holidays in addition to four weeks of annual leave. 

COVID-19 Vaccination requirement: All employees are required to be vaccinated in line with our Vaccination Policy. New employees will be required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination prior to commencing employment. 

Me pehea te whakauru I How to apply…

To express your interest, please apply on-line by submitting an up to date CV and cover letter that demonstrates your suitability and motivation for the role. For further information about this position, please view the position description attached or contact Suzanne Leahy (Senior Recruitment Advisor) at Suzanne.leahy@customs.govt.nz

New Zealand Customs Service | Te Mana Ä€rai 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, consider flexible working arrangements and welcome applications from everyone who can meet the requirements of the role.

Applications close at 11pm, Tuesday 5 April 2022.

New Zealand Customs Service | Te Mana Ä€rai 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.