Alcohol Licensing Inspector

About the role

Hamilton City Council works to enhance the wellbeing of people in Hamilton and aims to be a truly community-centred council so the city can reach its full potential. This role sits in the Customer and Community Group, which delivers services and facilities that contribute to a safe, lively, and inclusive city.

What you’ll do

As an Alcohol Licensing Inspector, you will assess alcohol licensing applications, investigate related matters, and check compliance with the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012. The position combines desk-based work with field activity, including visits to licensed premises, some after-hours work, interviews, hearing preparation, and participation in hearings.

You will be expected to collect and review information, follow up on complaints or breaches, carry out site visits, build evidence-based cases where required, prepare legal material, and present findings clearly and confidently. The role also requires you to work independently, exercise sound judgement, and maintain effective relationships with internal teams and external stakeholders.

The purpose of the position is to help reduce alcohol-related harm and support the wellbeing of Hamiltonians.

Experience and qualifications

Applicants should bring at least five years of experience in law enforcement, investigations, regulation, or a comparable field. A general degree or an equivalent qualification is required, while a relevant tertiary qualification such as the New Zealand Certificate in Regulatory Compliance Level 4 would be an advantage.

Strong communication skills are essential, along with experience in formal report writing. You should also have solid investigative and analytical abilities, the confidence to assess information critically, and the judgement to make well-reasoned decisions on your own. A current full New Zealand driver’s licence is mandatory. Experience with formal interviews and evidence gathering for legal proceedings would be beneficial.

Other information

The salary starts at $88,000 and may be negotiated for the right person. Applications close on 19 July 2026, and shortlisting may begin before the closing date as applications are received.

Hamilton City Council is committed to Te Tiriti o Waitangi/Treaty of Waitangi through its relationships with Kiingitanga, Waikato Tainui, mana whenua, and maataa waka in Hamilton Kirikiriroa. The council also values inclusiveness and aims to create a workplace where everyone feels welcome, respected, and able to belong.

Successful candidates will be asked to complete interviews, reference checks, a criminal check, and a pre-employment medical that includes drug and alcohol testing, as this is a safety-sensitive role. Candidates with access needs are encouraged to share them in advance so appropriate support can be arranged during interviews and assessments.

This position is being recruited directly by Hamilton City Council. Unsolicited approaches from recruitment agencies will not be recognised or paid for unless support is specifically requested from the council’s selected agency panel.

How to apply

Applicants are asked to review the position description, submit an application, and include a cover letter with their resume in a single PDF file if they wish to provide one. Alternatively, they may use the message box provided to the hiring team.