Marine Protection Ranger – Department of Conservation – Devonport, Auckland

Department of Conservation; Auckland; On-site; NZD 68,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

A governmental conservation agency in Auckland seeks a Marine Protection Ranger to ensure compliance with marine laws and promote marine sustainability. You will be responsible for skippering vessels up to 20 meters and participating in scientific diving. The role offers a salary range of $68,878 to $87,265, depending on experience, and requires flexibility for travel. Join us to make a difference in reviving New Zealand's coastal ecosystems and marine biodiversity.

Benefits

Opportunities for professional development

Flexible work schedule

Collaborative team environment

Qualifications

• Skipper Restricted Limits (SRL) license is required endorsed for 24 meters.
• Experience in marine compliance or advocacy roles.
• Experience training new skippers.

Responsibilities

• Skipper vessels up to 20m across the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park.
• Ensure compliance with marine protection laws.
• Maintain accurate operational logs and documentation.

Skills

Skippering vessels

Scientific diving

Effective communication

Leadership

Adaptability

Education

Skipper Restricted Limits (SRL) license

Tools

Marine safety protocols

Navigation systems

Job description

• Are you passionate about marine conservation and protecting our coastal ecosystems?
• Are you a skilled and experienced skipper?
• Are you a skilled and experienced diver?
• Join us in protecting and revitalising the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park
• Salary ranges from $68,878 to $87,265, depending on skills and experience
• Permanent, full-time position | Rosters operate from Wednesday to Sunday year-round
• Based in Fleet Street / Devonport, Auckland.

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.

Join us in protecting and revitalising the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park, New Zealand’s first marine park and only national park of the sea. Covering 1.4 million hectares, it’s more than 20 times the size of Lake Taupō and includes the Waitematā Harbour, Gulf Islands, Firth of Thames, and Coromandel Peninsula. Renowned as the seabird capital of the world and a vital whale superhighway, this marine park is intensively used and located right on the doorstep of our most populated city. Find out more: https://www.doc.govt.nz/our-work/revitalising-the-gulf/new-marine-protections-in-the-hauraki-gulf/

The proposed Hauraki Gulf / Tīkapa Moana Marine Protection Bill aims to establish 19 new marine protection areas to enhance the Gulf’s marine health, along with existing marine reserves. This bespoke legislation will be the first of its kind in Aotearoa and is part of the broader Revitalising the Gulf programme.

Mō te tūranga | About the role

As a Marine Protection Ranger, you will focus on compliance, biodiversity monitoring and marine operations. You will have strong boating and skipper skills with other focus areas on scientific diving, compliance and mentoring of new team members. You will have a passion and an understanding of the marine environment.

<>You will play a crucial part in protecting marine biodiversity, ensuring compliance with conservation regulations, and maintaining the health of our marine ecosystems. If you have skills in one or more of these areas and a passion for marine protection, we encourage you to apply.

The position will be focussed on:

• Skippering vessels up to 20m across the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park
• Scientific diving and monitoring
• Ensuring vessels meet regulatory and safety standards, maintaining up-to-date documentation, coordinating inspections and keeping detailed records for audits.
• Ensuring compliance with marine protection laws through patrols, inspections, and engagement. Must be willing to become a Warranted Officer.
• Collaborating with treaty partners, local communities, and marine users to promote sustainable practices.
• Responding to environmental incidents, support emergency operations, and assist in compliance investigations.
• Maintaining accurate records, prepare high-quality reports, and issue infringements or documentation for prosecution.
• Assisting divers with scientific surveys and ecological assessments
• Training up and sharing knowledge with new team members who join the team

These roles require travel, so flexibility is essential to work away from home for several days when needed. Rosters operate from Wednesday to Sunday year-round.

Key interpersonal skills we’re looking for include:

• Effective communication: Able to effectively convey complex regulations and policies around marine reserve operations, including operating radio effectively
• Cultural awareness and ethical decision making: Sensitivity to diverse backgrounds and traditions to foster respect and cooperation.
• Adaptability: Ability to handle changing environments and weather while maintaining safety and clear communication. Willingness to work weekends and public holidays.
• Excellent paperwork skills: Ability to write complex compliance reports and effectively relay information
• Problem solving & situational awareness: Quick, safe resolution of issues and awareness of surroundings to prevent accidents and mitigate risks.
• Leadership: Decision-making under pressure to ensure crew safety and smooth team operations.

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

If you have some of following, we are keen to hear from you:

• Minimum requirement: SRL (Skipper Restricted Limits) license required. SRL endorsed to 24 metres under Maritime Rule 32.61
• Commercial Vessel Experience: Must have skippered vessels up to a minimum of 20m on open ocean in a commercial capacity.
• Be experienced ensuring vessels meet regulatory and safety standards, maintaining up to date documentation, coordinating inspections and keeping detailed records for audits.
• Advocacy & Compliance: Experience in marine compliance or advocacy roles, or ability to obtain warranted officer status.
• Training and mentorship: Experience having trained up new skippers into a team.
• Physical Fitness: Able to meet the physical demands of compliance and vessel operations.
• Medically fit to perform diving operations and vessel handling duties, and able to obtain medical certifications (WorkSafe) required for both commercial diving and maritime operations.
• Hold a CoC as a Scientific Diver
• Navigation, GPS, and chart reading. Marine safety protocols, including emergency and man-overboard procedures.
• Basic marine engine troubleshooting and repairs.
• Understanding of New Zealand maritime laws and compliance.
• Experience maintaining accurate operational logs and compliance documentation.
• Vessel Handling; proficient in steering, docking, and manoeuvring in various conditions.
• Knowledge of marine ecosystems and sustainable boating practices.
• Ability to assess and manage marine hazards and risks.
• Current Full NZ Driver’s License

Desirable:

• Proficiency in Mandarin or Cantonese and Te Reo is highly desirable
• Law Enforcement or compliance experience
• Tertiary Qualification in marine science, environmental science, or related field.
• Experience working alongside scientific divers, and/or diving experience
• Commitment to marine sustainability and Te Papa Atawhai’s Kaupapa, with understanding of Māori Tikanga and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

If you’re ready to take on this exciting challenge and contribute to the revitalisation of the Hauraki Gulf, we want to hear from you!

Join us in making a difference for our marine environment and the communities and species that depend on it.

He aha ngā pāinga mōu? | 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.

Tonoa inaiānei | 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 during the recruitment process, please let us know.

The salary range for this position is $68,878 to $87,265, 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.

Rā whakakapi | Applications close

at 11.59pm Monday 12th January 2026.

Me heātai anō, whakapā mai | For further enquiries

, please contact Molly Hicks – Principal Ranger, Marine at [e-mail]

(Please note, the DOC offices will be closed over the Christmas and NY break, reopening on the 5th January 2026)