Data Scientist

About WorkSafe New Zealand

WorkSafe New Zealand | Mahi Haumaru Aotearoa is the primary regulator for workplace health and safety. Their vision is for everyone returning home healthy and safe. The organisation upholds values of unity of purpose, meaningful engagement, and a duty of care.

Team and Role Overview

The Enterprise Planning and Implementation group at WorkSafe is a newly formed division focused on enhancing planning, coordination, and delivery effectiveness across the organisation. Within this, the Data, Analytics and AI team enables evidence-based decision making by developing and maintaining data assets that support reporting, analysis, and organizational performance.

As a Data Scientist, you will apply advanced analytical techniques, machine learning, and AI to address complex regulatory and organisational challenges. Your projects will include risk-targeting initiatives to prioritize regulatory actions and AI agents that assist frontline operations. Collaboration with data engineers, analysts, and stakeholders is key to developing models and AI solutions that aid informed decisions, deepen risk and harm insights, and foster improved workplace outcomes throughout New Zealand.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and validate sophisticated analytical models and AI applications.
• Utilize statistical, machine learning, and artificial intelligence methods on complex datasets, incorporating large language model (LLM)-based approaches such as retrieval-augmented generation, AI agents, and structured data extraction.
• Establish evaluation frameworks for model and AI outputs, including test sets, human validation, and performance metrics.
• Facilitate deployment and operational integration of models and AI products, ensuring ongoing performance monitoring.
• Collaborate closely with data engineers, analysts, and domain specialists to implement comprehensive solutions.
• Translate analytical results into actionable insights and communicate model capabilities and limitations clearly to decision-makers.

Candidate Profile

• Demonstrated end-to-end delivery experience in data science projects, covering problem framing, data preparation, modeling, validation, deployment, and operational monitoring.
• Proficient in Python or R programming and skilled in SQL, with practical knowledge of fundamental machine learning and data science libraries.
• Experience or strong interest in advanced LLM-driven techniques such as retrieval-augmented generation, AI agents, and structured extraction.
• Ability to communicate technical concepts, evidential support, limitations, and uncertainties effectively to non-expert audiences.
• Curious mindset with eagerness to learn contemporary cloud technologies and Machine Learning Operations (MLOps) tools, particularly within the Microsoft Azure environment.
• Relevant tertiary qualification in data science, statistics, mathematics, computer science, or an equivalent field, or substantial equivalent experience.

Employment Details

This is a fixed-term position available until 30 June 2027, based at any WorkSafe office location. The organisation encourages inter-agency secondments after consultation with your management.

Salary and Benefits

The annual remuneration ranges from NZD 103,059 to NZD 135,004, exclusive of KiwiSaver and Superannuation contributions. From 1 April 2026, the employer KiwiSaver contribution will increase to 3.5%.

• Five weeks annual leave
• Fifteen days paid sick leave
• Flexible workplace arrangements
• A reward and recognition program celebrating employee impact
• Opportunities for professional growth and development
• Employee resource groups supporting community diversity, including Rainbow, Pacific, Women’s, and Tū Rangatira Māori networks

Additional Information

Preference will be given to current employees affected by recent structural changes at WorkSafe during the initial consideration of applications. The recruitment process involves ongoing shortlisting and early application is recommended.

WorkSafe is committed to equal employment opportunities and embraces diversity across all backgrounds.

Applicants must have legal authorization to work in New Zealand to be eligible.

Application Instructions

Interested applicants should submit a CV and cover letter. Contact for inquiries is available through WorkSafe’s recruitment partner.

Closing Date

Applications must be received by 11:59 pm on 21 September 2026.