Heritage & Visitor Projects Ranger — Wanaka

Department of Conservation; Wānaka; On-site; NZD 66,000 - 77,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Accommodation options

Job summary

Department of Conservation in Wanaka is seeking a practical, organised ranger to coordinate maintenance and improvements across tracks, huts and visitor facilities. You’ll lead the district signage programme, scope projects, procure materials and manage essential service contracts to keep sites running safely and well.

You will work both in the field and office, building relationships with iwi, contractors and DOC teams, and ensuring records and procurement are up to date.

Qualifications

• Practical, organised ranger with coordination skills and clear communication.
• Experience building productive working relationships and delivering work programmes.
• Ability to work across field and office and learn new tools.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate maintenance and improvement across tracks, huts, interpretation assets, visitor facilities and recreation infrastructure.
• Lead the district signage programme from needs through design, procurement, production and installation.
• Scope projects, procure materials and services, and support delivery of the annual visitor asset work programme.
• Manage essential visitor facility servicing and maintenance contracts, including wastewater servicing.
• Coordinate field delivery and ensure work meets safety, quality and service standards.
• Support tenure review outcomes, easement access works, track marking and related visitor infrastructure.
• Maintain project, contract and asset records in DOC systems, including procurement records and invoices.
• Build relationships with iwi, contractors, concessionaires, and DOC teams.

Skills

Planning

Coordination

Contractor management

Communication

Procurement

Driver's licence

Job description

• Take ownership of projects across tracks, huts, visitor facilities and recreation infrastructure.
• Enjoy a varied mix of project coordination, practical problem-solving and fieldwork in an exceptional part of Aotearoa.
• Permanent, full-time role based in Wānaka.
• Salary: $65,590-$76,589, depending on skills and experience.·
• Accommodation options may be available – contact us to find out more.

Our vision: Nature is thriving in Aotearoa | Te Oranga o te Ao Tūroa

Mō te tūranga | About the role

From a well-marked track to a welcoming hut, the details make a difference. Join our Heritage and Visitors team and help maintain and improve the places that connect people with the Wānaka District’s heritage and visitor network.

If you enjoy organising work, solving practical problems and seeing the results on the ground, this role offers plenty of variety. You’ll coordinate visitor infrastructure projects and maintenance programmes, lead the district signage programme and manage essential service contracts that keep busy visitor sites running well.

One day you could be on site with a contractor working through an infrastructure issue; the next, scoping a signage project, arranging materials or planning improvements to a track or visitor facility.

Alongside the fieldwork, you’ll keep procurement, invoices and programme records on track so work is delivered safely and to a high standard.

Working with colleagues, contractors, iwi, concessionaires and community groups, you’ll help turn plans into practical improvements that visitors can see and use.

In this role, you’ll:

• Coordinate maintenance and improvement work across tracks, huts, interpretation assets, visitor facilities and recreation infrastructure.
• Lead the district signage programme, from identifying needs through design, procurement, production and installation.
• Scope projects, procure materials and services, and support delivery of the annual visitor asset work programme.
• Manage essential visitor facility servicing and maintenance contracts, including wastewater servicing, and monitor contractor performance.
• Coordinate field delivery and check that work meets agreed safety, quality and service standards.
• Support tenure review outcomes, easement access works, track marking and associated visitor infrastructure.
• Maintain accurate project, contract and asset information in DOC systems, including procurement records and invoice processing.
• Build productive relationships with iwi, contractors, concessionaires, community organisations and other DOC teams.

Click here for the Role Description

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

We’re looking for a practical, organised ranger who combines strong coordination skills with clear communication and a collaborative approach.

You’ll bring demonstrated experience building productive working relationship, taking ownership of work programmes and working constructively across a wider team to deliver shared priorities.

We’d particularly like to hear from you if you bring:

• Strong planning and organisational skills, with the ability to balance several projects and priorities.
• Experience coordinating contractors, service providers, maintenance programmes or infrastructure work.
• A practical approach to solving problems and following work through to completion.
• Clear communication and the ability to build effective working relationships.
• Confidence using computer systems, mobile applications and databases, and a willingness to learn new tools.
• Experience with procurement, contractor administration or invoice processing.
• A willingness to work both in the field and in the office.
• A full New Zealand driver’s licence is required.

It would be an advantage, but is not essential, to have experience with recreation infrastructure, signage, DOC systems, conservation land access arrangements or contractors working in remote environments.

Advanced chainsaw or hazardous tree work experience, first aid, and emergency response, incident or fire management qualifications are also useful.

He aha ngā pāinga mōu? | What’s in it for you?

DOC is committed to a culture where everyone can participate, thrive, and grow. We’re driven by our values and behaviours, and are working towards being an organisation that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive by default.

Tonoa inaiānei | Apply now

Apply online with your CV and cover letter outlining your relevant experience and motivation and which location you would prefer.

We’re unable to accept emailed applications or provide feedback to applicants not shortlisted.

If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process, let us know and we’ll try to accommodate.

Salary: $65,590- $76,589 depending on skills and experience.

Eligibility: You must hold a valid NZ work visa that covers the duration of employment.

Rā whakakapi | Applications close at 11:59 pm on Wednesday 21 October 2026

Me he pātai anō, whakapā mai | For further enquiries, contact Ben Lawrence – [e-mail] [phone]