About the role:

Are you passionate about creating safe, vibrant communities? We're looking for a confident and experienced Chief Licensing Inspector to take a leading role in regulating the sale and supply of alcohol across our district.

As a senior member of our Alcohol Licensing Team, you'll be the go-to expert for ensuring compliance with the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012. Conducting inspections and investigations, this is a role that requires sound judgment, strong relationship-building, and a proactive approach to compliance and enforcement where necessary.

Key responsibilities:

• Carrying out proactive and after-hours inspections of licensed premises, offering education and support, and taking enforcement action—including prosecutions—when required.
• Preparing robust, well-reasoned reports on alcohol license and manager certificate applications.
• Verifying applications, reviewing evidence for hearings, and managing opposed applications with professionalism and integrity.
• Working closely with police, environmental health officers, planners, and other agencies to resolve compliance issues through a unified, collaborative approach.
• Leading by example - supporting the development of trainees and staying ahead of changes in licensing legislation.
• Attending regular meetings with neighbouring councils to collaborate and support each other in district licensing activities.

About you:

You'll be a trusted expert and a steady leader - someone who understands the law inside out, but also knows how to work with people. Whether it's guiding a licensee, supporting a colleague, or representing the council at a hearing, you bring clarity, professionalism, and sound judgment to everything you do.

You will also have:

• In-depth knowledge of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 and how it's applied in real-world settings.
• Solid understanding of compliance and enforcement processes, especially in a local government context.
• Strong leadership experience - at least 5 years mentoring or guiding others in a regulatory or investigative environment.
• Excellent communication skills - both written and verbal - and the ability to clearly explain complex information.
• Confident in conflict resolution and negotiation, with a calm and professional approach.
• Experienced in legal settings, including giving evidence in court or representing your organisation at ARLA.
• Tech-savvy, with great IT skills to manage reports, cases, and communications.
• A practical, solutions-focused mindset, with the ability to balance the needs of licensees, the public, and the law.

What we can offer:

• Great work-life balance with flexibility
• Career coaching and development
• Life insurance
• Wellbeing and volunteer leave
• Three days paid leave between Christmas and New Year
• Two weeks paid Partners Leave
• Sick leave from day one
• Continued KiwiSaver contributions during savings suspension
• Discounts with local and national businesses

About us:

Selwyn is New Zealand's fastest growing district. We have a fantastic quality of life, great communities, and a thriving economy. Our Council works actively with residents to provide the services and facilities that help our communities to thrive and grow.

Our head office is based in Rolleston (only 25km from Christchurch), which offers an enviable family lifestyle, outstanding local facilities and an easy drive to the ski fields, rivers and hills that make up Canterbury's stunning landscape.

Our values are important to us and represent the way we work: · Be a good human · Be brave - Think differently · Better together- Make it happen for Selwyn.

We honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi and we are committed to working with our Treaty partner to deliver on our obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

We value the safety of our community - this role requires a satisfactory safety check including police vetting and for you to pass a drug and alcohol test.

If you'd like to play a part in making Selwyn the best place to live, work and play, join us today!