We advertise staff vacancies on this page and other relevant sites.
The Organisation
The Transport Accident Investigation Commission's visionary goal is “No Repeat Accidents – Ever!”. In pursuit of this goal, the Commission (TAIC) inquires into significant transport accidents across the three modes of aviation, rail, and marine, with a view to avoiding similar occurrences in the future.
TAIC's multi-disciplinary teams investigate and analyse the circumstances of these occurrences, supporting the Commission to consider the facts, and make findings and recommendations to improve transport safety, rather than to ascribe blame.
Current vacancy - Marine Investigator | Kaitirotiro Aitua
Applications close 5pm on Sunday 15 June 2025
We’re seeking an experienced and academically qualified marine engineer to join the team as a Marine Accident Investigator. You’ll be qualified as a senior marine engineer with sea-going and/or shore-based experience.
- Apply your marine engineering expertise
- Develop a career in marine accident investigation
- Central Wellington office
You’ll attend marine accidents to undertake a site examination and evidence gathering, and then carry out detailed and thorough analysis and research as you draft your investigation report, findings and recommendations, for consideration by the Commission.
About You - Marine investigator
You’ll be qualified as a senior marine engineer with sea-going and/or shore-based experience.
You'll undertake extensive research, analysis, and drafting of the investigation report and safety recommendations for the Commissioners’ consideration.
You'll need to show:
- high level, plain English report writing abilities
- excellent verbal communication skills
- a very high level of attention to detail
- excellent analytical and problem solving capabilities
- project and time management skills
- tact, diplomacy, and excellent stakeholder engagement skills.
As you will attend accident sites, you will also need to be medically and physically fit and have the emotional and psychological maturity to handle stressful and emotionally difficult situations.
Your work can involve a range of vessel types, engagement with a wide variety of stakeholders and subject matter experts, and will be incredibly interesting and engaging.
You will be well supported in this role and receive world class training and professional development. Over time you’ll be able to apply your well developed investigative skills to support other modal investigations too, further enhancing your experience and personal development.
How to apply for the Marine investigator role
Showcase your marine engineering expertise: apply now!
Please include a cover letter outlining your suitability and interest for this role.
If you’d like the detailed job description or more information, please contact our recruiters at Talent International:
- Jacaleen Williams on 021 732 996 jacaleen.williams@talentinternational.com
- Nicci McQueen on 027 297 8075 nicci.mcqueen@talentinternational.com
Applications close 5pm on Sunday 15 June 2025. We will review applications during this time, so please don’t delay in applying.
Note: you must have the right to live and work in New Zealand to be eligible for this role.
The accident investigation role - general
Accident investigation is specialised and time-critical work that requires broad proven expertise and skill, including:
- Excellent communication, both verbal and written
- Logical and analytical capability, with very strong attention to detail and accuracy
- Ability to anticipate risk and identify mitigations
- Problem solving
- Project teamwork
- Relationship management
- Energy, diplomacy and tact.
The Accident Investigation team is small and close-knit. Investigators attend accident sites throughout New Zealand. They undertake thorough site examinations and evidence collection, review, research, and analyse the evidence, before drafting inquiry reports, findings and recommendations for consideration by the Commission. Each investigation process leads to a detailed final report outlining the findings and safety recommendations to the sector.
Accident investigation work is interesting and varied and involves engagement with a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders. Investigators need to be able to work collaboratively and positively with like-minded professionals, and have high levels of diplomacy, tact, and professionalism, particularly when deployed to accident sites.
It can be demanding work that necessitates medical and physical fitness (accident sites can be anywhere) and resilience in stressful and emotionally difficult circumstances.
While relevant investigative qualifications are desirable, the successful candidate will undergo extensive, world class specialised training in accident investigation. This is part of TAIC's supportive and development-focused environment. A typical job description for a Transport Accident Investigation Commission Investigator is available in the Document Downloads box.
Investigator positions are based in Wellington, New Zealand, and involve travel and overnight stays.
Only people with the right to work in New Zealand may apply. For advice on obtaining a New Zealand work or residence visa visit www.immigration.govt.nz.