Job Description
Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role
Ranger, Biodiversity (Fixed term / Secondment)
- Opportunity to pursue your passion for conservation in this truly untouched part of Aotearoa.
- Join us in an exciting seasonal role leading and contributing to the conservation of our hoiho/yellow eyed penguins!
- The salary range for this position is $60,314 to $75,603
- Full time, 7.5-month fixed term or secondment opportunity between 22 September 2025 until 15 May 2026, based in Rakiura/ Stewart Island.
Our vision: Nature is thriving in Aotearoa | Te Oranga o te Ao Tūroa
The Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai (DOC) serves to protect and restore nature across Aotearoa. When nature thrives, we all thrive.
Ko tā Te Papa Atawhai he tiaki, he whakarauora anō hoki i te taiao puta noa i Aotearoa.
He oranga taiao, he oranga tangata.
Te Papa Atawhai, Department of Conservation (DOC) serves to protect and sustain nature across Aotearoa. We put nature and people at the heart of our mahi, guided by te reo Māori, te ao Māori and Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We do this by:
- protecting land, species, ecosystems, and cultural heritage for conservation purposes
- managing threats and adverse impacts
- being a voice for conservation
- connecting people to nature.
He angitūtanga | About the role
The focus of this role is to lead the seasonal programme to monitor and protect hoiho/yellow eyed penguins. This includes but is not limited to: nest searching, nest monitoring, transport of penguins, rehabilitation, data entry, predator control, volunteer coordination, and trail camera management.
As the Ranger, Biodiversity you will be expected to lead the planning, delivery and reporting of the programme. You will coordinate field work alongside mana whenua and community conservation groups. You will have the opportunity to assist with the recovery of hoiho at the rehabilitation centre on Rakiura.
There may be opportunities to work outside of the Rakiura District and assist with delivery of the hoiho programme across their range. The successful candidate will also contribute to the wider biodiversity work in the district as required.
Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience
You will have a great attitude with the ability to work autonomously and as part of a team, and a passion for protecting and enhancing our taonga species.
If you have the following attributes, we are keen to hear from you:
- Ability to work alone
- Bird handling skills
- Experience leading a field team, with the ability to plan and organise field and office-based work
- Experience in small boats
- Experience with GIS software and GPS units
- A full driver's licence and the ability to drive manual vehicles
- A high level of physical fitness
- Experience and competence in the outdoors
- A strong Health and Safety focus
- Proficiency in the MS Office suite of programmes, data management and reporting
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to tailor their approach to different audiences
- The desire to support others to grow their appreciation of conservation and nature, and to undertake conservation projects.
Mō te tīma | About the team
The Operations Team on Rakiura/ Stewart Island is responsible for delivering the Department's conservation activities across Rakiura and its surroundings and are part of the Southern South Island region. The team consists of around 20 permanent staff and 13 temporary/casual staff based in Oban. We are a small, friendly team who are looking for someone who can work well as part of our team and contribute positively to our biodiversity programme.
We work strongly in partnership with tangata whenua in the management of lands and taonga species and have multiple strategic partnerships in action that support and enhance the conservation work that we do.
For further information about living on Rakiura please check the attached information sheet or visit http://www.stewartisland.co.nz.
Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou | What's in it for you?
Te Papa Atawhai is committed to fostering a diverse workforce that represents the communities we serve, creating an inclusive workplace culture, supporting the relationship between Māori and the Crown, and lifting our cultural capability. We encourage our people to bring their authentic self and unique perspectives to work, in pursuit of our collective aspirations.
There is shared staff accommodation available for the length of contract in Oban, if required.
Tono ināianei | Apply now
Apply online via the DOC Careers Centre with a field experience questionnaire, CV and cover letter that highlights your relevant skills experience and motivation for joining Te Papa Atawhai.
If you require any accommodations or adjustments throughout the recruitment process, please do let us know.
The salary range for this position is $60,314 to $75,603, pro rata, with the starting salary of the successful applicant based on their relevant skills and experience.
You are encouraged to discuss secondment opportunities with your manager. Secondments should offer the opportunity to build capability in line with your development plan. You must seek the support of your line manager (minimum Tier 4) in writing before applying for a secondment opportunity and attach it to your application.
Eligibility to work in New Zealand is mandatory – this includes holding a valid work visa that covers the whole period of employment.
Due to high volumes, we are not engaging with recruitment agencies for this role.
Rā katinga | Applications close at 11.59pm, Monday the 4th of August 2025. Depending on the volume of applications received, we may close this advertisement early, so please submit your application as soon as possible.
Me he pātai anō | For further enquiries, please feel free to contact Jasmine Penny, Acting Supervisor at jpenny@doc.govt.nz.
Taupānga | Job reference: DOC/1874494