Ranger - Biodiversity (Fixed Term)

New Zealand Government; Hokitika; On-site; NZD 66,000 - 77,000; Full time

Job summary

New Zealand Government in Hokitika seeks a dedicated conservation professional to lead predator control and weed management in backcountry sites. This hands-on, fixed-term role combines fieldwork with planning and reporting, in remote environments and a collaborative team.

You will work across biodiversity programmes, engage with contractors and landowners, maintain equipment, and uphold health and safety standards while contributing to broader conservation outcomes for native species.

Qualifications

• Health, safety and wellbeing are priorities.
• Excellent fitness for remote backcountry work.
• Ability to work alone in remote terrain and multi-day trips.
• Experience in predator control, trapping or conservation fieldwork.
• Strong organisational skills and data-entry ability.

Responsibilities

• Deliver predator control programmes including trap servicing.
• Implement weed control across biodiversity sites.
• Support threatened species programmes.
• Undertake backcountry fieldwork and multi-day trips.
• Collect, manage and analyse field data.
• Plan and organise field operations and reporting.

Skills

Health & safety

Fitness

Challenging terrain

Independent fieldwork

Predator control

Trapping

Weed control

Data collection

Communication

Teamwork

Driver licence

Education

Tertiary conservation qualification

Tools

GPS navigation

First Aid

4WD operations

Growsafe certificate

Job description

Live and work in some of New Zealand's most spectacular backcountry while helping protect whio and other native species. Join a passionate and supportive team delivering meaningful conservation outcomes across some of Aotearoa's most iconic natural environments.

Salary: $65,590 to $76,589 - with opportunities to develop and progress your career.

Full-time fixed term role ending end of May 2027 based in Hokitika.

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

About the role

This full-time fixed-term position focuses on delivering predator control within the Hokitika District's whio security programme, alongside implementing weed control operations across a range of biodiversity sites. This is a hands-on, field-based role that will see you working in remote and challenging environments as part of a passionate and supportive team. While trapping and weed management form the core of the position, there will be opportunities to contribute to a broad range of conservation initiatives across the district. The role combines independent fieldwork with team-based operations and office-based planning and reporting.

Your day-to-day work will include:

• delivering predator control programmes, including trap servicing and trapline maintenance within whio security sites
• implementing weed control operations using a range of methods and techniques
• supporting threatened species programmes, including work with species such as Kapitia skink
• undertaking backcountry fieldwork, including multi-day trips and off-track travel
• collecting, managing and analysing field data
• planning and organising field operations
• maintaining equipment and ensuring high standards of health, safety and operational practices
• supporting reporting, project administration, and data entry
• working collaboratively with colleagues, contractors, partners, landowners and other stakeholders
• assisting with wider biodiversity programmes and, where required, supporting freshwater, marine, visitor and heritage work

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

This role will suit someone who enjoys working in the outdoors, thrives in remote backcountry environments, and is motivated by achieving practical conservation outcomes. We're looking for a reliable, adaptable team player who is willing to roll up their sleeves, learn new skills and contribute across a diverse range of work programmes.

To be successful in this role, you will have:

a strong commitment to health, safety and wellbeingexcellent fitness and the ability to work in challenging terrain and variable weather conditionsproven ability to undertake lone work in remote backcountry environments, including off-track travel, river crossings, route finding and multi-day fieldworkexperience working independently in remote locationspractical experience in predator control, trapping, weed control or other conservation fieldworkstrong organisational skills and attention to detaileffective written and verbal communication skillssound computer skills and experience with data collection and data entrythe ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a teama positive attitude, adaptability and willingness to contribute to a wide range of conservation activitiesa full New Zealand driver licence.

Desirable:

experience servicing and maintaining trap networksweed identification skills and experience using herbicides for pest plant controla current Growsafe certificatecompetence with GPS navigation and off-track route findinga current First Aid certificateexperience working around helicopters and operating 4WD vehiclesa tertiary qualification, or equivalent experience, in conservation, ecology, environmental management, biology or a related fieldChainsaw qualifications/experience

About the team and location | Mō te tīma me te wāhi

The Hokitika Biodiversity team consists of approximately nine permanent staff delivering predator control, pest plant management, threatened species recovery, freshwater and marine conservation, and ecological monitoring programmes. The wider Hokitika Operations team includes just over 20 permanent and fixed term staff working across biodiversity, visitor, heritage and community programmes. This role operates across the Hokitika District, working in environments ranging from lowland podocarp forest and braided rivers to coastal habitats, wetlands and alpine backcountry. Based in Hokitika, you'll be surrounded by some of New Zealand's finest outdoor recreation opportunities. With an extensive network of tracks, huts, rivers and alpine environments on your doorstep, the West Coast is a paradise for trampers, hunters, anglers, mountain bikers and outdoor enthusiasts. Hokitika offers the best of both worlds: a welcoming community, short commutes and excellent local amenities, combined with easy access to wild places and a lifestyle where adventure begins at your doorstep.

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.

Salary: $65,590 to $76,589, depending on skills and experience.

Eligibility: You must hold a valid NZ work visa that covers the duration of employment.

Please note, we are not engaging with recruitment agencies for this role.

Rā whakakapi

Applications close at 11:59 pm on Tuesday 08 September 2026.

Me he pātai anō, whakapā mai

For further enquiries, contact David Soper, Principal Ranger Biodiveristy - [e-mail]