Ranger Biodiversity (Fixed Term)

CGR Services; Southland; On-site; NZD 65,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai (DOC) in Te Anau is seeking an experienced leader to supervise field teams across pest control operations in Fiordland. The role combines field and office work, with oversight of planning, data management, and reporting in a remote backcountry setting.

The successful candidate will have a strong conservation background, backcountry experience, and a valid NZ driver’s licence, with a focus on health and safety.

Qualifications

• Backcountry experience with high fitness and off-track navigation.
• Ability to work in a small team and independently.
• Problem-solving skills and ability to think on your feet.
• Plan and organise work programmes, resources and timelines.
• Experience in monitoring, team leading and reporting.
• Experience managing data and adapting to new technology.
• Current First Aid certificate and full NZ driver’s licence.
• Strong commitment to health and safety and promoting this culture.

Responsibilities

• Plan and effectively implement work plans for animal pest control operations.
• Maintain relevant documentation and data.
• Handle toxin during aerial and ground-based pest control operations.
• Service predator traps.
• Report on animal control operations.
• Provide day-to-day field supervision of employees and contractors.
• Collaborate with Supervisors, Principal Rangers and Project Leads on resources and budgeting.
• Develop relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Skills

Backcountry experience

Team leadership

Data management

GPS/GIS proficiency

First aid

NZ driver’s licence

Health and safety culture

Education

Tertiary qualification in conservation management

Tools

GPS data capture

GIS applications

Job description

Does the idea of working on maintaining pest-free or pest-limited islands in Fiordland National Park interest you? Are you skilled at field delivery and passionate about sharing your skills and knowledge with others? Full-time, 2.5 year fixed-term role based in Te Anau.

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. Mō te tūranga.

About the role

We're looking for an experienced person to join our close-knit team. The work requires both field and office skills with responsibility for leading field teams.

• Planning and effectively implementing work plans for animal pest control operations.
• Maintaining relevant documentation and data.
• Handling toxin during aerial and ground-based pest control operations.
• Servicing predator traps.
• Reporting on animal control operations.
• Providing day to day field supervision of employees and contractors (Team Lead for multi-day fieldwork).
• Actively working with the Supervisor & Principal Rangers for resource needs and scheduling.
• Collaborating with Project Leads to manage budgets.
• Developing successful relationships across the motu with internal and external stakeholders.

Ensuring health & safety standards are adhered to and fit-for-purpose. The work schedule will mostly be Monday-Friday however there will be some longer field trips. For example, 10-day trapping trips in Dusky and Doubtful Sounds happen regularly in the Fiordland Islands work programme. You will need to have the ability to work overnight in the backcountry, often solo. Work plans for multi-day trips will be scheduled in advance, however flexibility is required with the weather.

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako

To be successful in this role, you will have a strong background or interest in conservation, and knowledge of biodiversity work.

The successful applicant will have:

• Backcountry experience, with a high level of fitness and experience navigating off-track in remote settings.
• Ability to work successfully as part of a small team and independently.
• Practical problem-solving skills, the ability to think on your feet and use initiative.
• Ability to plan and organise work programmes, resources, and timelines effectively.
• Experience in monitoring, team leading, and reporting.
• Experience managing data and the ability to use and adapt to new technology.
• Current first aid certificate and full NZ driver's licence.
• A strong commitment to health and safety and ability to promote this culture among colleagues.

Desirable

• Previous experience in aerial and ground-based pest control poison operations.
• Experience with island biosecurity and quarantine.
• Experience using traps.
• Helicopter experience.
• Current firearms license.
• Growsafe certificate.
• Competent using a variety of computer applications which will include GPS data capture in the field and GIS applications.
• Tertiary qualification or equivalent experience in conservation management.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of Tikanga Māori and Te Ao Māori.

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.

If you require any accommodations or adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.

The salary range for this position is $65,070 to $75,981 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.

Applications close at 11:00pm on Monday, 6 October. Depending on the volume of applications received, we may close this advertisement early, so please submit your application as soon as possible.

For further enquiries, please contact Elicia Milne at [e-mail] or [phone].