Ranger – Department of Conservation – Alexandra

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

Job summary

Department of Conservation in Alexandra, New Zealand, seeks a versatile ranger to work across Biodiversity, Heritage, and Visitor programmes. The role offers diverse duties and the chance to develop a broad range of conservation skills across teams and environments.

The position focuses on managing projects, track maintenance, weed control, amenities upkeep, and supporting community teams; overnight backcountry stays may be required in remote terrain.

Qualifications

• Versatile and resilient, able to tackle a variety of mahi.
• Must hold a full driver’s license; trailer ability preferred.
• Experience in maintenance/landscaping.
• Comfort with computer databases and mobile apps.
• Strong health and safety focus.
• Good physical fitness with backcountry experience.
• Competent in off track navigation and GPS.
• Good people skills; able to work in a team or independently.
• Desirable: Growsafe, First Aid, carpentry/construction or related skills.
• Experience with chainsaws, weed eaters, scrub bars and 4WDS would be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Manage assigned project work across programmes.
• Maintain back country and front country tracks.
• Weed management across sites.
• Maintain and clean front/back country amenities.
• Support community teams as required.
• Overnight stays in backcountry may be required.

Skills

Driver's license

Maintenance experience

Tech savvy

Health & safety

Backcountry fitness

GPS navigation

Teamwork

Tools

Databases

Mobile apps

Job description

* Enjoy working outdoors and want to build on your practical skills with a rewarding career in conservation?

* Salary: $62,192 to $67,446

* Permanent, full-time role-based in Alexandra.

Mō te tūranga | About the role

We are looking for a versatile ranger to work across our Biodiversity, Heritage, and Visitor work programmes across the Central Otago region.

Your day-to-day work will be diverse, offering the opportunity to gain a range of conservation skills across various teams and environments.

The position will be focussed on:

• managing assigned project work
• maintaining both back country and front country tracks
• weed management
• maintaining and cleaning front/ back country amenities
• supporting the community teams as required.

You may be required to stay away overnight for multiple days in the backcountry, often in remote and rugged terrain.

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

You will be versatile and resilient and able to tackle a variety of mahi. If you have the following attributes, we are keen to hear from you:

• a full driver’s licence, ideally with the ability to manoeuvre a trailer
• general maintenance and/or landscaping experience
• tech savvy skills with the ability to use computer databases and mobile applications
• strong health and safety focus
• good level of physical fitness with backcountry experience
• competent in off track navigation and GPS
• good people skills with an ability to work as part of a team and independently.

Desirable:

• Growsafe certified
• a current First Aid certificate
• carpentry, construction or building skills and experience
• experience and NZQA qualifications with use of chainsaws, weed eaters, scrub bars and 4WDS.

We are passionate about developing our people and will provide training for specialised skills suited to the role.

He aha ngā pāinga mōu? | 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.

The salary range for this position is $62,192 to $67,446 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.

Rą whakakapi | Applications close

at 11:59 pm on Tuesday 29 September 2026

Me he pątai anŋ, whakapā mai | For further enquiries

please contact Richard Gates, Principal Ranger at [e-mail]