Intelligence Case Officers - 2027 start date at NZ Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS), Wellington

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Keen to play an active role in furthering New Zealand national security?
• Do you have strong interpersonal skills and enjoy engaging with a wide range of people?
• Are you driven, resilient and able to make quick decisions?
• Ready for an autonomous role with real world impact?

The New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) is looking for Intelligence Case Officers to join our mission to keep New Zealand safe and secure. These are special roles within our organisation whose job is to meet people and collect intelligence to solve some of our most complex national security challenges.

Our Case Officers don’t conform to a ‘type’. They come from a range of backgrounds and all have different life experiences. What they have in common is that they are curious, creative thinkers who are naturally driven to succeed. Does this sound like you?

Our Case Officers directly contribute to disrupting national security threats and advancing New Zealand’s interests. Their job involves building confidential relationships with ‘human sources’ from a variety of backgrounds. Case officers are responsible for assessing, recruiting, managing, and interviewing sources to gain unique insights into the intentions and activities of others (what we call ‘human intelligence’ or ‘HUMINT’). A degree of cunning is involved but our people are also highly principled and always act in line with the NZSIS’s governing legislation and human rights obligations.

Secrecy is part of the role and it’s the kind of job where you can’t talk about your work day with family and friends. Your supportive team can help you learn how to manage those tricky conversations.

No prior experience of intelligence, law enforcement or other security related roles is required. Our specialised training will prepare you for this unique career and a range of professional development opportunities await. This job is New Zealand-based but there will be opportunities to work overseas as your career progresses.

We are looking for people to join our teams in Wellington or Auckland. You will be working in a diverse and inclusive environment with people from a variety of cultures and professional backgrounds. Something we all share, however, is a set of common values and a desire to protect and advance New Zealand and New Zealanders. The ability to speak a foreign language is not necessary to apply, but would be an advantage for your application.

All Case Officers begin with a starting base salary in the range of $87,048 - $92,851 + allowances and benefits and will progress as your career develops.

Thinking of applying? While our Case Officers never conform to a certain type of person they do need to be able to demonstrate some or all of the following:

• Strong interpersonal skills, including experience in building valuable relationships.
• The ability to relate effectively with a diverse range of people and to build mutually beneficial, trust-based relationships and networks in a complex environment.
• Strong self-awareness and interpersonal skills with a proven ability to motivate others and be persuasive in situations where opposition or potential conflict exists.
• Can comfortably deal with ambiguity and respond appropriately in a changing or high pressured environment.
• High levels of resilience, emotional maturity, and an ability to work on their own, sometimes in challenging and uncertain environments.
• Excellent judgement, creative problem-solving skills and an ability to manage complex risks under pressure.
• Experience in motivating, influencing and collaborating with others to achieve results.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to connect with a wide audience.
• Self-discipline and personal integrity with an ability to obtain and maintain a high-level security clearance.
• A tertiary qualification OR equivalent work and life experience
• Current full driving licence (mandatory)

Things to know before applying:

• All our staff are required to have a high-level security clearance to do the job. There is a rigorous vetting process to allow us to make a decision on your suitability to work in a Top Secret environment. To check your eligibility please go to Home | Protective Security Requirements
• Successful applicants will start with us in June 2027 and will then be required to commit to an intensive five-month in-person training course. The course takes place predominantly in Wellington with some components based in Auckland. This is a Pass/Fail course and permanent employment is not guaranteed if you are unsuccessful on the course. Accommodation, subsistence and travel will be provided for those from out of town.
• NZSIS offers flexible working arrangements, but working from home is not possible in this role. This role involves frequent domestic travel throughout New Zealand, including some nights away from home. This role sometimes requires working outside of normal business hours.

If shortlisted and progressed through the recruitment process, this process can take up to 12 months to complete; as noted above the role starts in June 2027.

As part of the process you may be invited to complete some or all of the following activities:

• Cognitive and psychometric testing
• In person Assessment centres – provisionally scheduled for August 2026
• An interview

How to apply:

To apply please complete the application questions and submit an up-to-date CV and covering letter outlining your motivation to apply for this role.

We recognise that AI is a tool that is regularly used in job applications but please ensure that if you chose to use it, you use it responsibly and ensure your input remains authentically yours.

Before you apply

Working within our unique environment means we have to ensure you're eligible for employment.

You must:

• Have been a New Zealand Citizen for at least 10 years

OR

Hold a current NZ Residency Class Visa and ideally have been a citizen of the UK, USA, Canada or Australia for at least 10 years

• Be eligible to obtain a Top Secret Special (TSS) security clearance
  • Ordinarily, this means you'll have a 15 year checkable background in countries NZSIS Vetting can make meaningful and reliable checks.
    
    

Still unsure? Use this online tool to self-check your eligibility for a TSS security clearance: http://www.protectivesecurity.govt.nz/eligibility-tool

The NZIC treats all applications for employment in the strictest confidence and we expect that you maintain a similar level of confidentiality during the recruitment process and throughout your career.

We'll provide you with information and tips throughout the recruitment process, but in the meantime check out What we do | Beyond Ordinary Careers