Job Description
Job type
Full-time
Location
Wellington City, Wellington
Full job description
Type: Permanent
Hours: Full time
Location: Wellington
Business Group: Engagement, Data and Innovation
Branch: Taituara / Regulatory and Identity Services
Salary: $109,697 - $136,512
We're looking for a delivery-driven, hands-on Data Scientist who's passionate about applying AI and advanced analytics to solve real business problems. You'll collaborate with our data engineers, analysts / dashboard developers, and fellow data scientists to turn ideas into insights - designing, building, and deploying data science solutions that make a measurable impact across passports, citizenship, and identity services within the Taituara / Regulatory and Identity Services branch at the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA).
He angitutanga | About the Role
Reporting to the Manager, Business Insights, this is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Data Scientist to lead and deliver large-scale advanced analytics projects. You'll play a key role in applying best practices, developing data products that support decision-making, and promoting a data-driven culture that enhances the essential services we deliver for Aotearoa.
This role is ideal for a Data Scientist seeking meaningful work and new challenges within a modern data environment, contributing to initiatives that make a real impact for New Zealanders.
Design, build, and deploy predictive, machine learning, and advanced AI models to solve operational and strategic challenges, including time-series forecasting models (daily/weekly/monthly), model monitoring and drift detection.
Develop and deliver end-to-end AI use cases - from scoping and prototyping to production and implement model lifecycle practices: versioning, performance monitoring, re-training.
Work with data engineers to prepare and use high-quality data from our new Microsoft Fabric platform.
Partner with business teams to understand problems and translate them into practical data science solutions.
Communicate insights clearly and effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences.
Contribute to the development of responsible AI, MLOps, and model governance within the branch.
Experiment with emerging tools, techniques, and generative AI capabilities to unlock new value from data.
Mou | About you
We're looking for someone who is passionate about data science, communicates effectively, builds strong relationships, and brings a customer-focused mindset. You'll thrive in a collaborative, fast-paced environment where curiosity, adaptability, and teamwork are key to delivering impact:
2-4 years' experience applying data science or AI to solve business or service delivery problems.
Strong programming skills in Python or R, with practical experience in model development and evaluation.
Familiarity with modern cloud data platforms such as Microsoft Fabric, Snowflake, or Databricks.
Proven ability to deliver results - from data wrangling and feature engineering through to model lifecycle management: versioning, model retraining, performance tracking, data drift monitoring.
Great communication skills and a collaborative mindset - you work well with others to make complex data useful and actionable.
Curiosity, initiative, and a delivery-focused mindset - you enjoy turning ideas into working solutions.
Nice to have
Experience with MLOps, prompt engineering, or integrating AI models into production workflows.
Experience with time-series forecasting libraries (e.g. Prophet, ARIMA, ETS), scheduling/optimisation libraries or workforce planning analytics.
Experience working with operational (event/transactional) data, processing times and linking operational metrics with forecasting.
Familiarity with Power BI, data storytelling, or advanced data visualisation.
Understanding of ethical AI, data governance, and privacy principles in the public sector.
Applications close: 5pm, Friday 16 January 2026
For more information please contact: Hien Nguyen ([email protected])
Job description: To review the full job descri'ption, please click here. If you are unable to follow the link, please review the full job description on our careers website.
Full-time
Location
Wellington City, Wellington
Full job description
Type: Permanent
Hours: Full time
Location: Wellington
Business Group: Engagement, Data and Innovation
Branch: Taituara / Regulatory and Identity Services
Salary: $109,697 - $136,512
We're looking for a delivery-driven, hands-on Data Scientist who's passionate about applying AI and advanced analytics to solve real business problems. You'll collaborate with our data engineers, analysts / dashboard developers, and fellow data scientists to turn ideas into insights - designing, building, and deploying data science solutions that make a measurable impact across passports, citizenship, and identity services within the Taituara / Regulatory and Identity Services branch at the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA).
He angitutanga | About the Role
Reporting to the Manager, Business Insights, this is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Data Scientist to lead and deliver large-scale advanced analytics projects. You'll play a key role in applying best practices, developing data products that support decision-making, and promoting a data-driven culture that enhances the essential services we deliver for Aotearoa.
This role is ideal for a Data Scientist seeking meaningful work and new challenges within a modern data environment, contributing to initiatives that make a real impact for New Zealanders.
Design, build, and deploy predictive, machine learning, and advanced AI models to solve operational and strategic challenges, including time-series forecasting models (daily/weekly/monthly), model monitoring and drift detection.
Develop and deliver end-to-end AI use cases - from scoping and prototyping to production and implement model lifecycle practices: versioning, performance monitoring, re-training.
Work with data engineers to prepare and use high-quality data from our new Microsoft Fabric platform.
Partner with business teams to understand problems and translate them into practical data science solutions.
Communicate insights clearly and effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences.
Contribute to the development of responsible AI, MLOps, and model governance within the branch.
Experiment with emerging tools, techniques, and generative AI capabilities to unlock new value from data.
Mou | About you
We're looking for someone who is passionate about data science, communicates effectively, builds strong relationships, and brings a customer-focused mindset. You'll thrive in a collaborative, fast-paced environment where curiosity, adaptability, and teamwork are key to delivering impact:
2-4 years' experience applying data science or AI to solve business or service delivery problems.
Strong programming skills in Python or R, with practical experience in model development and evaluation.
Familiarity with modern cloud data platforms such as Microsoft Fabric, Snowflake, or Databricks.
Proven ability to deliver results - from data wrangling and feature engineering through to model lifecycle management: versioning, model retraining, performance tracking, data drift monitoring.
Great communication skills and a collaborative mindset - you work well with others to make complex data useful and actionable.
Curiosity, initiative, and a delivery-focused mindset - you enjoy turning ideas into working solutions.
Nice to have
Experience with MLOps, prompt engineering, or integrating AI models into production workflows.
Experience with time-series forecasting libraries (e.g. Prophet, ARIMA, ETS), scheduling/optimisation libraries or workforce planning analytics.
Experience working with operational (event/transactional) data, processing times and linking operational metrics with forecasting.
Familiarity with Power BI, data storytelling, or advanced data visualisation.
Understanding of ethical AI, data governance, and privacy principles in the public sector.
Applications close: 5pm, Friday 16 January 2026
For more information please contact: Hien Nguyen ([email protected])
Job description: To review the full job descri'ption, please click here. If you are unable to follow the link, please review the full job description on our careers website.
💡 Quick Summary
Seeking a career-building opportunity? The Data Scientist position is now open for candidates interested in the Database Administrator sector. This role in Wellington offers a professional environment and growth potential.
Requirement Snapshot: Candidates should possess basic communication skills, a proactive attitude, and the ability to work in a team. Experience in Database Administrator is a plus.
