Ranger (Fixed-Term)

Marketplace; Karamea; Remote; NZD 62,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Conservation in Karamea seeks a Ranger for a fixed-term season to maintain backcountry and front-country tracks, huts and visitor facilities across key sites including Heaphy Track. The role offers diverse conservation tasks in remote environments and opportunities to contribute to heritage and visitor operations.

Ideal candidates will have a full drivers' license, track/grounds maintenance experience, Growsafe and First Aid certificates, and the ability to work both independently

Qualifications

• Full drivers' licence with trailer experience.
• Experience with track, hut, vegetation control or grounds maintenance preferred.
• NZQA quals for chainsaws, weed eaters, scrub bars and 4WD are advantageous.
• Strong health and safety focus and physical fitness for backcountry work.
• Able to work in remote locations, including multi-day trips.
• Growsafe certification and First Aid certificate are assets.

Responsibilities

• Maintain backcountry and front-country tracks and visitor infrastructure.
• Carry out hut, campsite and amenity maintenance and cleaning.
• Assist vegetation control and asset maintenance.
• Work in remote locations including overnight trips.
• Engage with visitors to provide safe, enjoyable experiences outdoors.

Skills

Driver's license

Trailer handling

Track maintenance

Backcountry experience

Grounds maintenance

Health and safety

Independent work

Team collaboration

Computer/databases experience

Motorcycle riding

Education

NZQA qualifications (use of chainsaws, weed eaters, scrub bars)

Growsafe certified

Current First Aid certificate

Tools

Chainsaw use

Weed eater

Scrub bars

4WD

Job description

# Ranger (Fixed-Term) at Department of Conservation, West Coast## Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role* Come spend your summer with our Karamea based team maintaining amazingly wild visitor experiences* Mix of front-country and backcountry work, including tracks, huts, campsites, and visitor facilities* With a small team and many visitor sites to look after, you'll get a huge breath of practical conservation skills and experiences to jet propel your conservation career* Diverse role across heritage, visitor, and conservation operations with no two days the same* $62,192-$67,446 depending on skills and experience* Full-time fixed-term position November - May 2027 based in Karamea**Our vision: Nature is thriving in Aotearoa | Te Oranga o te Ao Tūroa** **Mō te tūranga | About the role** We are currently seeking to fill a fixed-term summer position based in Karamea, working within the Heritage and Visitor team across some of New Zealand's most iconic public conservation areas, including the **Heaphy Track**, **Oparara Basin**, and **Kohaihai Campsite**. This is a hands-on, varied role that will see you contributing to the maintenance and enhancement of visitor facilities and conservation assets while working in remote and rugged environments. No two days are the same, with opportunities to develop a broad range of practical conservation and recreation management skills.* If you're looking to an opportunity to live and work a bit on the wild side, then this could be your opportunity to experience that without having to make any long-life commitments. The position will be focussed on:* Managing assigned project work and day-to-day operational tasks* Maintaining both backcountry and front-country tracks and visitor infrastructure* Carrying out hut, campsite, and amenity maintenance and cleaning* Supporting conservation and heritage work programmes across the district as required* Assisting with vegetation control, scrub bar work, and general asset maintenance* Working in remote locations, including overnight and multi-day backcountry trips* Engaging positively with visitors and helping provide a safe and enjoyable experience in the outdoors**Click here for Role Description** **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:* Full drivers' licence, ideally with the ability to manoeuvre a trailer* Experience with track maintenance, hut maintenance, vegetation control, or general grounds maintenance is desirable* Experience and NZQA qualifications with use of chainsaws, weed eaters, scrub bars and 4WDS* Strong health and safety focus* Good level of physical fitness with backcountry experience* People skills with an ability to work as part of a team and independently* Tech savvy skills with the ability to use computer databases and mobile applications* Confidence working independently and as part of a team to deliver work programmes and projects* A positive attitude, strong work ethic, and willingness to learn new skills* Good planning and organisational skills, with the ability to manage assigned tasks and priorities* Experience riding motorcycles or operating outdoor equipment is advantageous* Comfortable working and staying overnight in remote backcountry locations for multiple days when required* Growsafe certified* Current First Aid certificateEven if you don't tick all the boxes but believe your skills and experience closely align, then we still encourage you to submit an application. **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? **Tonoa inaiānei | Apply now** Apply online with your CV and cover letter outlining your relevant experience and motivation. We're unable to accept emailed applications or provide feedback to applicants not shortlisted. If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process, let us know and we'll try to accommodate. **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 Wednesday 4 November 2026. **Me he pātai anō, whakapā mai | For further enquiries**, please contact David Guppy, Supervisor, [e-mail]