Principal Ranger: Lead Conservation & Iwi Partnerships

New Zealand Government; Northland; On-site; NZD 94,000 - 119,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangements

Permanent role

Job summary

The Principal Ranger role with New Zealand Government (Department of Conservation) is based in Kaitaia and leads conservation delivery and people across the district. You’ll provide strategic leadership, coordinate resources, and build strong partnerships with iwi, hapū, and communities to achieve regional outcomes.

You’ll report to the Operations Manager and drive continuous improvement across a geographically dispersed district, balancing budgets, timelines, and safety while modelling

Qualifications

• Leads and develops staff while building a positive team culture.
• Plans, schedules, and coordinates work programmes within timelines and budgets.
• Contributes to District Leadership Team decisions on priorities, resources and delivery.
• Builds relationships with iwi, hapū, whānau, community groups and stakeholders.
• Provides cross-team leadership across a large, geographically dispersed district.
• Manages budgets and financial performance while monitoring outputs and risks.
• Collaborates with DOC teams and community partners to achieve conservation objectives.
• Demonstrates integrity, accountability and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Recruiting, onboarding, and developing staff while building a positive and collaborative team culture.
• Planning, scheduling, and coordinating work programmes to ensure delivery within agreed timelines and budgets.
• Contributing to District Leadership Team discussions and decisions relating to priorities, resources, and operational delivery.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with iwi, hapū, whānau, community groups, and key stakeholders to achieve shared outcomes.
• Providing leadership and support across multiple teams and work programmes within a large and geographically dispersed district.
• Managing budgets and financial performance while monitoring outputs, outcomes, and risks.
• Collaborating across DOC teams and with community partners to achieve conservation objectives.
• Leading by example through integrity, accountability, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

Skills

People leadership

Financial planning

Resource management

Operational delivery

Stakeholder collaboration

Contract management

Strategic thinking

Driver's license

Communication

Budget monitoring

Job description

The Principal Ranger role with New Zealand Government (Department of Conservation) is based in Kaitaia and leads conservation delivery and people across the district. You’ll provide strategic leadership, coordinate resources, and build strong partnerships with iwi, hapū, and communities to achieve regional outcomes.

You’ll report to the Operations Manager and drive continuous improvement across a geographically dispersed district, balancing budgets, timelines, and safety while modelling