Ranger

Department of Conservation - Te Papa Atawhai; Dunedin; On-site; NZD 61,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Conservation - Te Papa Atawhai in Dunedin is seeking a practical Ranger to support biodiversity conservation across Coastal Otago, with a focus on the Grand and Otago Skink Recovery programmes. The role involves field-based predator control, biodiversity monitoring, and threat management in remote terrain.

You will work with experienced staff to protect endangered species, maintain operations, and contribute to district programs.

Qualifications

• Current Full Driver's Licence; field-based conservation experience.
• Practical predator control experience.
• 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.
• Good communication skills and ability to work independently and with a team.

Responsibilities

• Maintain predator control networks and devices.
• Deliver pest animal and weed control operations.
• Maintain equipment, tracks, and fences.
• Assist biodiversity monitoring and data collection.
• Support threatened species recovery programmes.
• Carry out field-based conservation work in remote locations.
• Contribute to wider district biodiversity and pest management programmes.

Skills

Driver's Licence

Predator control

Weed & Pest management

Backcountry fitness

Remote fieldwork

Health & safety

Record keeping

Communication

Teamwork

Education

GrowSafe Certificate

First Aid Certificate

Approved Handler Certificate

GPS field data collection experience

Threatened species monitoring experience

Tools

GPS devices

Field data collection systems

4WD vehicle experience

Job description

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

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

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:

• maintaining predator control networks and devices
• delivering pest animal and weed control operations
• maintaining equipment, tracks, and operational infrastructure like fences
• assisting with biodiversity monitoring and data collection
• 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.

Ngāpūkengamengāwheako| Skills and experience

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

Desirable 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

Mōtetīma| 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.

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.

Rā whakakapi | Applications close at 11:59 pm on Sunday 13th September 2026

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 [e-mail]

For further enquiries, please contact Marie Manley, Recruitment Advisor [e-mail]

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. Our people bring this vision to life. Spread across Aotearoa, they care for our land, water, and native species. From frontline rangers and technical experts to vital support teams - we have a diverse range of roles. Read more about DOC