Job Description
Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role
- Is your background in the natural environment, working in small animal pest control and monitoring?
- Have you got the experience training, working and caring for working dogs that will enable you to develop and work a Pest Detection Conservation Dog to deliver positive outcomes for our flora and fauna?
- Are you skilled at field delivery and passionate about sharing your skills and knowledge with others?
- Salary ranges from $60,314 - $75,603 depending on skills and experience.
- Permanent, fulltime position based in Te Anau.
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.
He angitūtanga | About the role
The Conservation Dogs Team is looking for an experienced person to join our team and be based in Te Anau. This is an exciting opportunity for the right individual.
As Ranger, (Pest Detection Dogs) for the Conservation Dogs team, your work will be focussed on the Te Anau district undertaking Pest Surveillance, biosecurity checks and incursion responses with your fully certified rodent detection dog, covering a diverse range of ecosystems and significant natural areas. You will also be required to deliver some of this work across New Zealand, as part of the national Conservation dog programme.
You will have or need to develop defined leadership capabilities, including the ability to mentor other dog handlers in your area of expertise and role model high standards of integrity and professionalism. The role will also include building positive working relationships across the organisation and with our other key partners. This role includes some advocacy and public engagement work.
This role involves travel, so you must be flexible to travel and work away from home as needed.
https://www.doc.govt.nz/our-work/conservation-dog-programme/
Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience
To be successful in this role, you will need a strong combination of practical field skills and proven dog handler experience.
If you have some of the following, we are keen to hear from you:
- Experience in the training, handling and care of working dogs
- Experience in small animal pest control and monitoring
- Backcountry experience/skills.
- Experience and ability to work off-track in remote field situations, e.g. deep forest and remote islands
- Experience in speaking to and dealing with a wide range of audiences
- The ability to work closely and collaboratively with others, including other dog handlers, DOC staff, community, stakeholders and local government to build successful relationships and grow conservation outcomes
- An ability to plan and manage your own work programme
- Experience in operating online and offline system software i.e. GPS, the Microsoft suite, ArcGIS, etc.
- Written and verbal communication skills.
- Full current New Zealand driver licence and ability to travel as and when required.
Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou | What's in it for you?
DOC places importance on developing a culture where everyone can participate, thrive, and grow. We're working towards being an organisation that is diverse, equitable and inclusive by default. You can learn more about what we offer here.
Tono ināianei | Apply now
Apply online with a CV and cover letter that highlights your relevant skills, experience and motivation for joining Te Papa Atawhai. Please note, due to the high volume of applications, we are unable to accept direct or emailed applications and provide feedback to those not shortlisted.
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 - $75,603 with the starting salary of the successful applicant being based on their relevant skills and experience.
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.
Depending on the volume of applications received, we may close this advertisement early, please submit your application as soon as possible.
Rā katinga | Applications close at 11:59 pm on Thursday 8 May 2025.
Me he pātai anō | For further enquiries, contact Helen Neale, Conservation Dogs Programme Manager at hneale@doc.govt.nz.
Taupānga | Job reference: DOC/1854356