Job Description
Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role
- Exciting opportunity to be involved in the Kakī/Black Stilt Recovery Programme in Twizel.
- Utilise your field delivery skills and work across dryland and braided river landscapes.
- Salary ranges from $58,816 - $66,578 depending on skills and experience
- Full time, 20-week fixed term opportunity | based in Twizel with accommodation available to rent.
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
Te Manahuna Biodiversity team is looking for a fit and enthusiastic team member to join the biodiversity team based in our Twizel office from the 28 July to 19 December 2025. This is an exciting opportunity for the right individual to build on their skillset and be part of a professional team achieving high quality conservation outcomes.
Your role will work across the sunny, and sometimes windy, Mackenzie Basin. You will be part of a team responsible for feeding and monitoring newly released sub-adult kakī for the first 6 weeks of the contract before the breeding season begins. From this point on, duties will switch to locating wild pairs and nests and delivering eggs to the Captive Facility near Twizel.
Black stilt/kakī: wetland and river birds
Your responsibilities will include:
- Supplementary feeding of released birds.
- Locating kakī pairs and nests across the Mackenzie Basin (rivers, wetlands, tarns, etc).
- Retrieving kakī eggs from nests and relocating them to the Twizel Captive Facility.
- Reading and recording leg bands of wild kakī.
- Communicating daily observations to the team leader.
DOC accommodation is available to rent at a reasonable cost for the successful applicants.
Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience
If you have some of the following, we are keen to hear from you:
- Full New Zealand driver licence.
- A current first aid certificate or has a plan to obtain one prior to the start date,
- 4WD competency.
- Be physically fit – must be able to handle long walks (15-25 km) daily on riverbeds in all weather conditions, walking on uneven, rocky terrain, and crossing cold rivers frequently (i.e., wet feet all day every day) while carrying a heavy pack (~15 kg).
- Strong wildlife observation and behavioural interpretation skills.
- Able to follow instructions from a team leader,
- Able to work independently with minimal supervision at times.
- Able to begin the workday at 7 am.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Good observational skills and an ability to interpret behaviours
- A quick learner.
- Able to be flexible with work hours as sometimes the workdays are long depending on how many nests are found.
Desirable:
- Experience handling birds or eggs.
- Experience reading leg bands using scopes and binoculars.
- River crossing skills – the rivers become high as the season progresses, and skills are required to assess where/when to cross safely (highly significant part of job).
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 $58,816 - $66,578 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 Wednesday 14 May 2025
Me he pātai anō | For further enquiries, contact Cody Thyne, Supervisor at cthyne@doc.govt.nz
Taupānga | Job reference: DOC/1854363