Ranger

Department of Conservation (DOC); Alexandra; On-site; NZD 62,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Conservation (DOC) in Alexandra, Otago, is seeking a versatile Ranger to operate across Biodiversity, Heritage and Visitor programmes. You will gain a broad range of conservation skills across teams and environments, with day-to-day responsibilities spanning project work, track maintenance, weed control and facility upkeep.

You may stay in backcountry locations for multi-day trips, often in remote terrain.

Qualifications

• Full driver's licence required.
• General maintenance or landscaping experience.
• Tech savviness with databases and mobile apps.
• Strong health and safety focus.
• Good physical fitness with backcountry experience.
• Competent in off-track navigation and GPS.
• Good people skills for team and independent work.

Responsibilities

• Manage assigned project work across Biodiversity, Heritage and Visitor programmes.
• Maintain backcountry and front country tracks.
• Weed management across sites.
• Maintain and clean front and backcountry amenities.
• Support community teams as required.
• Be prepared for multi-day backcountry trips.

Skills

Driver's license

Maintenance experience

Tech savvy

Health and safety

Physical fitness

Navigation & GPS

Teamwork

Communication skills

Job description

• Enjoy working outdoors and want to build on your practical skills with a rewarding career in conservation?
• Salary: $62,192 to $67,446
• Permanent, full-time role-based in Alexandra.

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

Mō te tūranga | About the role

We are looking for a versatile ranger to work across our Biodiversity, Heritage, and Visitor work programmes across the Central Otago region.

Your day-to-day work will be diverse, offering the opportunity to gain a range of conservation skills across various teams and environments.

The position will be focussed on:

• managing assigned project work
• maintaining both back country and front country tracks
• weed management
• maintaining and cleaning front/ back country amenities
• supporting the community teams as required.

You may be required to stay away overnight for multiple days in the backcountry, often in remote and rugged terrain.

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

• a full drivers' licence, ideally with the ability to manoeuvre a trailer
• general maintenance and/or landscaping experience
• tech savvy skills with the ability to use computer databases and mobile applications
• strong health and safety focus
• good level of physical fitness with backcountry experience
• competent in off track navigation and GPS
• good people skills with an ability to work as part of a team and independently.

Desirable:

• Growsafe certified
• a current First Aid certificate
• carpentry, construction or building skills and experience
• experience and NZQA qualifications with use of chainsaws, weed eaters, scrub bars and 4WDS.

We are passionate about developing our people and will provide training for specialised skills suited to the role.

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.

The salary range for this position is $62,192 to $67,446 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.

Rā whakakapi | Applications close

at 11:59 pm on Tuesday 29 September 2026

Me he pātai anō, whakapā mai | For further enquiries

please contact Richard Gates, Principal Ranger at [e-mail]