Ranger (Fixed-Term)

Department of Conservation | Te Papa Atawhai; Rotoiti; On-site; NZD 62,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Conservation | Te Papa Atawhai is seeking a ranger to work across the Nelson Lakes district, linking Heritage and Visitor operations. You will gain conservation skills while delivering diverse field activities and project work in both frontcountry and backcountry settings.

You will maintain tracks and amenities, support regional teams, and be prepared to overnight in backcountry assignments as needed. A full NZ driver’s licence and a strong safety mindset are essential.

Qualifications

• A full drivers' licence is required.
• Experience in general maintenance and/or landscaping is preferred.
• NZQA qualifications with the use of chainsaws, weed eaters, scrub bars and 4WD are desirable.
• A strong health and safety focus is essential.
• Good physical fitness with backcountry experience is required.
• Good people skills to work as part of a team and independently.
• Tech savvy with ability to use computer databases and mobile applications.

Responsibilities

• Managing assigned project work across Heritage and Visitor operations.
• Maintaining backcountry and front country tracks.
• Maintaining and cleaning front and backcountry amenities.
• Supporting other teams in the region as required.
• Willingness to stay overnight for multiple backcountry days.

Skills

Drivers licence

Maintenance

Landscaping

Chainsaws

Weed eaters

Scrub bars

4WD driving

Health and safety

Physical fitness

People skills

Tech savvy

Growsafe

First Aid

Carpentry

Class 2 licence

Education

NZQA qualifications

Tools

Databases

Mobile apps

Job description

• Mix of front-country and backcountry work, including tracks, huts, campsites, and visitor facilities

• Develop practical conservation skills including asset maintenance, project delivery, and field operations

• Diverse role across heritage and visitor operations with no two days the same

• $62,192-$67,446 depending on skills and experience

• Full-time fixed-term position November - April 2027 based St Arnaud, Nelson Lakes with accommodation options available

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

Mūtɛ tūōra | About the role

We are looking for a ranger to work across our Heritage, and Visitor work programme across the Nelson Lakes district. 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

• Maintaining and cleaning front/ back country amenities

• Supporting other teams in the region as required

• You will be required to stay away overnight for multiple days in the backcountry

Click here for Role Description

Ngą ŏnēkē me ŏnē ōheako | 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 drivers' licence, ideally with the ability to manoeuvre a trailer

• general maintenance and/or landscaping experience

• experience and NZQA qualifications with use of chainsaws, weed eaters, scrub bars and 4WD

• strong health and safety focus

• good level of physical fitness with backcountry experience

• good 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

Desirable:

• Growsafe certified

• a current First Aid certificate

• carpentry, construction or building skills and experience

• Class 2 licence

Even 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 ōną ōiną 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.

Rą whakakapi | Applications close at 11:59 pm on Wednesday 7 October 2026

Me he pątai an̄ ó, whakapā mai | For further enquiries , please contact Philippa Cox, Principal Ranger, [e-mail]