The NZGS is the affiliated organisation in New Zealand of the International Societies representing practitioners in soil mechanics (ISSMGE), rock mechanics (ISRM) and engineering geology (IAEG). We are represented on the committees of these three organisations by an Australasian Vice President, who is normally very senior and represents New Zealand and Australia.
The NZGS is a strong supporter of actions to help develop the skills and experience of our younger members. We run events in New Zealand and jointly with our colleagues in Australia and have a Young Professional Representative on the NZGS management committee. This position, selected from nominations, is internally focused, with an emphasis on activities within New Zealand and Australia. We also support greater international involvement for our young professionals but have not (to date) had a formal process or role to encourage this.
The NZGS management committee has identified the need for three new roles, to be filled by one younger NZGS member for each of the three International Societies with the following objectives:
- To facilitate better linkages between young NZGS members and their international colleagues.
- To promote a wider understanding within the NZGS membership of the role and activities of the International Societies.
- To promote YGP activities and collaboration in the three International Societies.
- To develop young NZGS members for future leadership roles in the NZGS and / or the International Societies.
- To support the Australasian Vice President (or the NZGS representative, where the Australasian VP is based in Australia).
The role is intended to sit outside the main NZGS management committee. Because this is a role focused on coordination and collaboration, there will be three reporting lines:
- To the NZGS management committee, through the Australasian Vice President (or NZGS representative, where the Australasian VP is based in Australia).
- To the NZGS management committee, through the NZGS Young Professionals representative.
- To the young professional group within the International Society, where one exists and subject to the agreement of the relevant Society.
You will have the opportunity to represent the NZGS (and potentially the Australian Geomechanics Society) Young Professional community in the international stage. You will interact with a global community of young professionals and will have an active role in representing this community in the international societies. Your involvement will give you an in-depth understanding of the international society and NZGS activities. By actively interacting with the wider international community you will develop a greater awareness of current developments in our sector globally.
Applications are welcome from all eligible members of the NZGS. The final selection of candidates will be made by the NZGS committee. The decision of the committee is final.
The ideal candidate will meet the following criteria:
- Strong communication skills, with ability to connect with others from around the world.
- Demonstrated history of volunteer work, ideally for the NZGS or similar organisations.
- NZGS membership for at least one year, including affiliation with the international society that you have applied to represent.
It is essential that you can still be considered a young professional at the end of your anticipated two-year term (i.e. at the end of 2022), based on the rules of the relevant society. For the ISRM this age is under 40, and for the IAEG and ISSMGE it is under 35.
We have developed role descriptions to help you understand what is involved, available at the links below:
This call for expressions of interest will stay open until Friday 12 February 2021.
Please submit a short CV, a letter of support from your employer, and a two-minute (or shorter) video describing:
- Which international society you want to work with.
- What you hope to achieve in your time in the role.
- Why you affiliate with the international society that you have applied to represent.
Submissions should be made by email to secretary@nzgs.org. We encourage you to ask questions before submitting your application if you have any questions about the roles or the process.
