Ranger (Campground) (Fixed-Term) – Department of Conservation – Masterton

Department of Conservation; Masterton District; On-site; NZD 62,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Conservation in Masterton is seeking a Ranger for a 5-month fixed-term role to help maintain Wairarapa campgrounds and deliver high-quality visitor experiences. The position focuses on campground facilities, asset monitoring, and assisting with safety and conservation tasks.

You will work as part of a small team, including weekends and public holidays, ensuring facilities stay welcoming and well-presented in all weather conditions.

Qualifications

• Experience in a similar role maintaining campground facilities.
• Strong customer service and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and solve problems.
• Maintenance or groundskeeping experience is advantageous.
• Ability to work as part of a small team and solo when needed.
• Physically fit and able to work outdoors in all weather.
• Experience monitoring water supplies and septic systems is desirable.
• Commitment to health and safety.
• Basic computer skills and comfort with mobile devices.
• Hold a full New Zealand Driver Licence.
• Desirable: Four-wheel drive qualifications.
• Desirable: First Aid certificate and related certifications.

Responsibilities

• Clean and maintain campground facilities and amenity blocks.
• Engage with the public and ensure fee payment compliance.
• Maintain water supply infrastructure and assist asset upkeep.
• Undertake track and grounds maintenance.
• Operate tools and machinery such as scrub cutters and herbicide equipment.
• Assist with visitor safety and respond to emergencies as required.
• Support conservation outcomes through practical field-based work.

Skills

Customer service

Communication skills

Independent work

Teamwork

Maintenance / groundskeeping

Outdoor work fitness

Water & septic monitoring

Health & safety

Basic computer skills

NZ Driver Licence

Four-wheel drive

First Aid

Chainsaw cert

Job description

• Work in the stunning coastal and forest environments across the Wairarapa.
• Enjoy a varied role combining visitor services, conservation, and asset maintenance.
• Help create memorable outdoor experiences for campers and day visitors.
• Salary: $62,192 -$67,446, depending on skills and experience.
• 5 month full-time fixed-term position based in Masterton

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

Mō te tūranga | About the role

Based in Masterton, this role is responsible for helping maintain many of the Wairarapa’s most popular destinations. Our campgrounds attract visitors year-round who come to enjoy camping, walking, fishing, swimming, and the area’s unique natural and cultural heritage.

The successful applicant will be required to work on the weekends and public holidays.

As a Ranger, you’ll play a key role in delivering a high-quality visitor experience by maintaining campground facilities, monitoring assets and infrastructure, supporting visitor safety, and providing information and assistance to campers and day visitors. Working as part of a small team, you’ll help ensure the campground and surrounding recreation areas remain safe, welcoming, and well presented for all who visit.

The position will be focussed on:

• Cleaning and maintaining campground facilities, including amenity blocks and visitor areas.
• Engaging with the public and ensuring compliance of fee payment
• Maintaining water supply infrastructure and supporting asset upkeep
• Undertaking track and grounds maintenance
• Operating tools and machinery such as scrub cutters and herbicide equipment
• Assisting with visitor safety and responding to emergencies as required
• Supporting conservation outcomes through practical field-based work

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

We’re looking for someone who is practical, self-motivated, and passionate about providing great visitor experiences in the outdoors

• If you have some of following, we are keen to hear from you:
• Experience in a similar role, including cleaning and maintaining campground, visitor, or recreational facilities.
• Strong customer service and communication skills with the ability to engage positively with a wide range of visitors.
• Ability to work independently, use initiative, and solve problems effectively.
• Practical maintenance or groundskeeping experience is an advantage
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team and undertake lone work efficiently.
• A positive attitude and willingness to help others
• Good level of physical fitness and ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions
• Experience monitoring water supplies and septic systems (desirable).
• A strong commitment to health and safety.
• Basic computer skills and confidence using mobile devices
• Full New Zealand Driver Licence

Desirable:

• Four-wheel drive qualifications.
• Growsafe, chainsaw, or other relevant operational certifications.
• Flexibility to work weekends, public holidays, and rostered shifts
• Current First Aid Certificate.

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.
Want to know more?

Salary: $62,192 -$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 Monday 23 November 2026
Me he pātai anō, whakapā mai | For further enquiries, please contact Briggs Pilkington, Principal Ranger Heritage and Visitor, [e-mail]. Please note, we’re unable to accept applications via email or provide feedback to applicants not shortlisted.