About the role:

We are looking for a skilled and delivery-focused AI Solutions Specialist to join our Digital team. This is a hands-on technical role where you will design, build, and operationalise AI solutions across Selwyn District Council, taking initiatives from concept through to production, reliably, securely, and at scale.

Working alongside our Data Lead, Analytics Engineer, and the Data & AI Manager, you will ensure our AI solutions are grounded in good data, governed appropriately, and built to last. This is an engineering and delivery role, not an advisory one. We are looking for someone who makes AI work in practice.

• Design and build Copilot Studio agents, including custom connectors, Power Automate integration, and multi-turn conversation design
• Develop custom AI solutions using Azure AI Foundry, including RAG patterns, prompt flow orchestration, and Azure OpenAI Service deployments
• Deploy and manage self-hosted AI models within SDC's Azure tenancy where data sovereignty or cost considerations require it
• Implement AI governance guardrails, conduct risk assessments, and ensure all solutions comply with SDC's AI Policy and Responsible AI Governance Framework
• Collaborate with the data platform team to ensure AI workloads are well-integrated and do not create ungoverned data flows
• Support capability uplift across the organisation, helping staff understand and use AI tools responsibly

About you:

We're looking for someone with demonstrable, current, hands-on experience building AI solutions in the Microsoft Azure ecosystem. You bring the technical depth to architect and deliver complex AI builds, and the communication skills to explain what you're building and why to non-technical stakeholders.

• Proven experience developing Copilot Studio agents beyond basic configuration, including custom connectors and knowledge source management
• Hands-on experience with Azure AI Foundry or Azure AI Studio, including model deployment and RAG pattern implementation
• Proficiency in Python for AI application development, including use of the Azure AI SDK and orchestration frameworks
• Strong understanding of AI security, prompt injection risks, and appropriate data privacy controls
• Ability to produce clear technical documentation and architecture diagrams as a standard part of delivery
• A relevant tertiary qualification in computer science, software engineering, or equivalent demonstrable experience

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.

Ready to build AI that makes a difference? Apply now and help us shape how technology serves our community.