Conservation Project Lead | Stakeholder & Compliance

Department of Conservation; Hokitika; On-site; NZD 69,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Conservation in Hokitika is seeking a lead role to manage statutory processes and grow partnerships across government, iwi, concessionaires and communities. You will mentor colleagues, represent DOC in cross-agency initiatives, and support conservation programmes.

Based in Hokitika, this permanent full-time position offers a salary of NZD 69,429 to NZD 88,181, depending on skills and experience, with a strong emphasis on relationship management, advocacy, and compliance

Qualifications

• Strong background in statutory processes, resource management, concessions and compliance monitoring.
• Relationship management and negotiation with diverse stakeholders.
• Experience in community engagement, consultation, or event planning.
• Ability to interpret and communicate technical information clearly.
• Strong planning, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent writing skills for reports, assessments and correspondence.
• Understanding of Te Tiriti partnership and engaging with tangata whenua.
• A current full New Zealand driver licence.
• Drone pilot experience could be advantageous.
• 4WD certification could be advantageous.
• Knowledge of mining operations would be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead or support statutory, advocacy, and community conservation programmes.
• Assess applications for and manage complex or high-risk activities on public conservation land.
• Represent DOC in statutory planning, policy and Resource Management Act processes.
• Build and maintain relationships with Treaty partners, concessionaires, authorities and communities.
• Mentor colleagues and participate in cross-agency and community initiatives.

Skills

Statutory processes

Relationship management

Community engagement

Technical communication

Planning & analysis

Report writing

Te Tiriti understanding

NZ driver licence

Drone piloting

4WD certification

Mining knowledge

Tools

Drone operations

4WD vehicle operations

Job description

The Department of Conservation in Hokitika is seeking a lead role to manage statutory processes and grow partnerships across government, iwi, concessionaires and communities. You will mentor colleagues, represent DOC in cross-agency initiatives, and support conservation programmes.

Based in Hokitika, this permanent full-time position offers a salary of NZD 69,429 to NZD 88,181, depending on skills and experience, with a strong emphasis on relationship management, advocacy, and compliance