Data Scientist (2 year fixed term) at Land Information New Zealand, Wellington

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

 

For the right candidate we will also consider remote working in other locations. 

 

Kōrero mō te tūranga - About the role

The key purpose of this role is to provide a data science lens to what we do at LINZ. The data scientist will help LINZ use data and advanced analytics and AI to solve real problems. You will explore data, build models, test ideas, and support the delivery of Proof of Concepts and prototypes that aid better decisions and services for New Zealanders.

This role brings strong technical skills and a practical approach to applying data science to AI. You will work with a team focused on proving outcomes in an AI Accelerator to deliver reliable, safe and ethical data science solutions. A key focus of this role is the practical design and testing of Generative AI and large language model solutions that are safe, reliable and useful for the public sector. Mandatory requirement - experience designing and implementing Generative AI and large language model solutions using public cloud tools to solve business problems.

 

Key responsibilities

Data science delivery

• Build, test and improve machine learning and AI models that meet business needs
• Explore, clean and prepare data from a range of sources
• Use structured and unstructured data including text, images, geospatial and time series data
• Apply best practice methods for model evaluation and testing
• Document work clearly so it can be reviewed, reused and improved
• Ensure data and models follow privacy, security and responsible AI requirements

AI solution development

• Design and build Generative AI and large language model solutions using public cloud tools to solve real business problems
• Work with an AI engineer and AI Product owner to create prototypes to test ideas quickly
• Use modern AI tools and techniques such as large language models, RAG workflows
• Work to make deployment of models into production environments provable within a short timeframe
• Monitor performance of models and make improvements as needed
• Evaluate and select appropriate large language models based on use case, risk, performance and cost
• Fine tune and improve large language models to increase accuracy, safety and consistency using techniques such as system prompts, prompt engineering, and business specific model augmentation
• Shape, clean and refine data to be used as knowledge sources in retrieval augmented generation solutions
• Prepare data for use in model fine tuning, and for structured input and output handling
• Test, monitor and improve Gen AI solutions as they move from prototype towards production

Technical advice and support

• Support business projects by providing Data Science advice and expertise to ensure the use and reporting of data is optimised
• Provide clear, accurate advice on data science and AI methods
• Explain technical topics in plain language
• Help teams understand what the data can and cannot do
• Support colleagues to build capability with data and AI uses
• Collaboration and engagement
• Work with business owners, digital delivery teams and data teams to understand the problem and define success
• Participate in design and planning sessions to make sure data science can support the outcomes sort and meet business needs
• Share learnings and results with the wider organisation
• Build good relationships with technical partners, vendors and government communities of practice
• Governance, privacy and security
• Follow LINZ policies for privacy, security and data handling
• Contribute to risk assessments, documentation and assurance processes for AI solutions
• Support responsible and transparent use of data and models

 

Key working relationships

Internal

• AI Accelerator team
• Digital Delivery
• Business owners
• Information security, privacy and legal teams

 

External

• Vendors and delivery partners
• Government data, digital and AI communities of practice

Sector or research partners where relevant

 

He pūkenga tou - Skills & Experience

Essential

• Experience designing and implementing Generative AI and large language model solutions using public cloud tools to solve business problems
• Experience evaluating and selecting large language models based on use case, performance, risk and cost
• Experience fine tuning large language models to improve accuracy, consistency and safety using system prompts, prompt engineering and business specific model augmentation
• Experience shaping, cleaning and refining data to be used as knowledge sources in retrieval augmented generation solutions
• Experience preparing data for LLM fine tuning, and for structured input and output formatting
• Ability to communicate clearly with technical and non-technical audiences
• Strong problem-solving skills and able to work in a fast paced, changing environment
• Experience working independently and delivering quality outputs

Desirable

• Experience with AWS
• Understanding of responsible AI standards and public sector expectations
• Experience working in multidisciplinary teams

Behaviours

• Curious and practical
• Open to trying new things and learning from failures
• Collaborative and respectful
• Committed to safe, ethical and high-quality use of AI
• Works in line with LINZ values and the public service spirit of service
• Health, safety, privacy and security
• All staff must follow LINZ rules for health and safety, privacy, security and information management. This includes protecting personal and sensitive information, keeping data secure and making sure records are stored and managed properly.

 

The annual full-time salary range for this role is between $120,000 -$140,000 depending on skills and experience.

 

Ngā mea e tukuna ana e tātau – What we offer our employees 

• Interesting work which impacts Aotearoa as we care for whenua, moana and arawai.
• Wellbeing allowance reimbursement
• Ability to purchase additional leave
• Annual Flu Vaccinations
• Reduced Health Insurance Premiums
• Diverse groups and networks
• If eligible for paid parental leave, you will be entitled to a top up payment for the first 18 weeks of the 26 weeks.
• A minimum of four weeks and three days annual leave

 

Te Tākinatanga - Our Story

Toitū Te Whenua plays a vital role in understanding, developing, and caring for New Zealand's whenua, moana and arawai (land, sea and waterways). Whether you're developing our products and services to support our customers, managing the Crown estate, engaging with our iwi partners, or helping us be an effective regulator, your contribution can make a difference. Our mahi helps New Zealanders have confidence that the development of our land, communities and country is being planned from an informed and expert position that balances environmental, social, cultural, and economic considerations, now and for future generations.

 

Our Kia Toipoto Intentions - Public Service Gender, Māori, Pacific and Ethnic Pay Gap Action Plan

Toitū Te Whenua is a diverse team of individuals with different experience and perspectives. This drives our culture and high performance.  We know that people from underrepresented groups and women in particular don't apply for roles if they're not a 100% match, but we're not looking for perfection, we're looking for potential.  As an inclusive and supportive employer, we value difference and want to encourage anyone interested to apply, regardless of whether you tick all the boxes or not. As an organisation we embrace diversity, encourage work life balance and have a flexible approach to the way we work which means you will quickly feel connected and valued.

 

Tono mai - How to Apply

If you're eyeing up this role and believe you've got what it takes, please apply, or get in touch with the team. 

To apply, please click “Apply Online.” You'll be taken through to our Toitū Te Whenua Careers Centre where you'll be able to review further information about the responsibilities and accountabilities of this role in the Position Description. You'll be able to complete your online application form and upload a copy of your CV/Cover Letter. 

Please note, while 14 April 2026 is the closing date, we will be reviewing applications as they are received and may progress with suitable applicants prior to the application closing date. Therefore, please apply as soon as possible if you are interested in this position. We also reserve the right to extend the advertising date if no suitable candidates have been identified.

 

For tracking and evaluation purposes, all applications must be submitted via our on-line process. You must have the legal right to live and work in New Zealand to be eligible for this position. 

 

You may notice that the Position Description title for this role (Digital Specialist Level Toru/3) doesn't match the advertised title.  At Toitū Te Whenua we design our roles around shared capabilities (rather than focusing on tasks). This means our position descriptions are broad, one position description can cover many roles, this is known as Broad Based Role (BBR). Using BBR allows us to be responsive to our customers and to strengthen the connections across our organisation. It also gives us the flexibility to provide wider opportunities to our people, to further their careers.

 

If you have any questions about this role or working at Toitū Te Whenua, please email opportunities@linz.govt.nz  and our People Services Team will be in touch with you.