Ranger

Department of Conservation NZ; Dunedin; On-site; NZD 61,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Conservation NZ in Dunedin is seeking a Ranger to support biodiversity conservation across Coastal Otago. The role focuses on predator control, monitoring, and delivering pest management activities, including remote fieldwork and multi-day stays in rugged terrain.

Ideal candidates have field conservation experience, a strong health and safety focus, and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team. The position is permanent and based in Dunedin.

Qualifications

• Current Full Driver's Licence.
• Experience undertaking field-based conservation work.
• Practical experience with predator control operations.
• Experience with weed or pest management activities.
• Ability to work safely in remote outdoor environments.
• Good physical fitness and backcountry experience.
• Strong health and safety focus.
• Attention to detail and accurate record keeping.
• Good communication skills and ability to work independently and within a team.
• Qualifications or experience operating chainsaws, scrub bars, LUVs or 4WD vehicles.
• Growsafe Certificate.
• Current First Aid Certificate.
• Experience using GPS and field data collection systems.
• Experience with threatened species monitoring.
• Approved Handler Certificate or Controlled Substances Licence.

Responsibilities

• supporting threatened species recovery programmes
• carrying out field-based conservation work in remote locations
• contributing to wider district work programmes in biodiversity threats, recreation and historic

Skills

Full Driver's Licence

Field-based experience

Health and safety focus

Communication skills

Independence and teamwork

Attention to detail

Education

Growsafe Certificate

First Aid Certificate

Approved Handler Certificate/Controlled Substances Licence

Tools

GPS

Chainsaws

Scrub Bars

LUVs or 4WD vehicles

Job description

Department of Conservation NZ – Dunedin, South Island

• Help protect some of Aotearoa's rarest and most endangered lizard species
• Deliver predator control and biodiversity work across Coastal Otago
• Salary range: $61,189 - $67,446
• Permanent, full-time role based in Dunedin

Mō te tūranga | About the role

We are looking for a practical and motivated Ranger to support biodiversity conservation across the Coastal Otago District, with a strong focus on delivering work for the Grand and Otago Skink Recovery Programme.

This is a field-based role focused on maintaining predator control operations, supporting biodiversity monitoring programmes, and delivering a range of threats and pest management activities.

Working alongside experienced biodiversity staff, you will help protect some of New Zealand's most threatened species while contributing to broader conservation outcomes across the district.

Your day-to-day work will be diverse and may include:

• supporting threatened species recovery programmes
• carrying out field-based conservation work in remote locations
• contributing to wider district work programmes in biodiversity threats, recreation and historic

You may be required to stay away overnight for multiple days while working in remote and rugged terrain.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys practical fieldwork and is passionate about biodiversity conservation.

If you have some of the following skills and experience, we would like to hear from you:

• current Full Driver's Licence
• experience undertaking field-based conservation work
• practical experience with predator control operations
• experience with weed or pest management activities
• ability to work safely in remote outdoor environments
• good physical fitness and backcountry experience
• strong health and safety focus
• attention to detail and accurate record keeping
• good communication skills and ability to work independently and within a team
• qualifications or experience operating chainsaws, scrub bars, LUVs or 4WD vehicles
• Growsafe Certificate
• current First Aid Certificate
• experience using GPS and field data collection systems
• experience with threatened species monitoring
• Approved Handler Certificate or Controlled Substances Licence

Mō'te'tīma'| About the team

The Coastal Otago Operations team, based in Dunedin and part of the Southern South Island Region, delivers conservation work across biodiversity, community, heritage, and visitor programmes.

The team includes a range of specialists and field staff working together to protect threatened species, manage biodiversity values, and maintain conservation outcomes across the district.

As part of the Biodiversity team, you will contribute directly to the recovery of threatened species, including the nationally significant Grand and Otago skink populations, while supporting wider threats and pests work across Coastal Otago.

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.

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: $61,189 - $67,446 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 Sunday 13th September 2026

Me he pātai anō, whakapā mai | For further enquiries, please contact Marie Manley, Recruitment Advisor at *******@doc.govt.nz