Senior Customs Officer Grade 1 (Sco G1) - Financial Crime Investigations

Exciting opportunity within the Customs Investigations Unit in Auckland for a Senior Customs Officer Grade 1 - Financial Crime Investigations.

About the role...

A position is available within the Customs Investigations Unit in Auckland for a Senior Customs Officer - Financial Crime. This is an exciting opportunity to join our financial crime investigations team and will require technical knowledge in the investigation of serious border related financial crime such as trade-based money laundering and cash smuggling.

The successful applicant will be responsible for delivering financial crime investigations, providing functional leadership of financial crime investigations, and providing advice to other Customs Officers relating to border related financial crime. The successful applicant will be responsible for completing investigations to a high standard which in turn will support enforcement outcomes. The successful applicant will work closely with the Customs Technical Specialist Financial Crime and Supervising Customs Officer Fraud to deliver on operational objectives. Due to the nature of the role, applicants will ideally have prior experience as a law enforcement officer, and some knowledge of financial crime investigations.

Your office will be based in central Auckland, although you will be out in the field and working in diverse environments, and at times unpredictable hours. The salary range for this role is $67,008 - $83,874 plus an annual allowance of $16,109 for working unpredictable hours.

What you'll be doing

Customs investigators oversee a full range of investigative activities. You will:

• Be involved with operational activity out in the field
• Undertake inquiries, interviewing, and arresting offenders
• Apply for and execute search warrants and surveillance device warrants
• Compiling a wide range of legal documents including requisition, seizure notice and assessment notice
• Handle, manage and review evidential material in both physical and electronic formats
• Prepare prosecution files to an evidential standard and give evidence in court - this means writing clear and accurate reports, working closely with Crown prosecutors and being a confident public speaker

About you...

We're looking for highly motivated people who care about their team, work well with others and have genuine interest in helping the Fraud team succeed - you'll be approachable, supportive and able to demonstrate ability to mentor/coach other staff.

You will offer strong problem solving and decision-making capabilities and be able to mitigate risks effectively. Having excellent interpersonal skills, using both verbal and non-verbal communication techniques to ensure clarity of message and achieve the desired result are essential.

We're looking for people who

• Ideally, have an understanding and knowledge of conducting a criminal investigation
• Have good knowledge of relevant Customs and other legislations
• Have good technical skills and computer literacy, and ability to navigate the different Customs systems and database
• Are methodical and dedicated to working to a high standard, and with the utmost discretion
• Display levelheadedness and sound judgement - and are able to handle sensitive information and situations well, stay calm and composed in challenging situations
• Are self-driven with strong work ethics

What's involved

As part of the recruitment process, you will need to pass a medical test and the NZ Police Physical Competency Test (PCT). The PCT is a timed obstacle course, requiring you to do a variety of tasks from climbing a wall, to dragging a weight, to jumping through a window.

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. Small periods (3 months or less) of absence from New Zealand over the 5 years may still be acceptable however you must be able to provide police certificates for time spent in other countries*.

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 medical assessment and drug test and must hold a full NZ Drivers' licence.

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.

How to apply

Please apply online. You will be asked to outline your relevant skills and experience in investigations and financial crime experience along with why you are interested in the role and some competency-based questions. The online application process takes a bit of time and requires you to provide examples of previous work - specific questions are asked in the online process. It's best to set aside some time when you won't be interrupted.

If shortlisted, you will be asked to complete online psychometric testing as part of the process.

If you have any queries, please contact Jasmine at recruitment@customs.govt.nz

Applications close at 5pm on 15 April 2025.

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. We also support flexible working arrangements.