Ranger (Fixed-Term)

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

Benefits offered by this job

Accommodations available

Job summary

Department of Conservation in New Zealand seeks a ranger to join the Nelson Lakes district across Heritage and Visitor work programmes. Your day-to-day will span backcountry and frontcountry tracks, huts, campsites and visitor facilities, with occasional overnight backcountry trips.

You will gain versatility across teams, maintain assets, support projects and ensure health and safety. The role runs Nov–Apr 2027 in St Arnaud, with accommodation options available.

Qualifications

• Full drivers' licence and ability to drive trailers.
• 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 and physical fitness for backcountry work.
• Good people skills and ability to work in a team and independently.
• Tech savviness with computer databases and mobile apps.

Responsibilities

• Manage assigned project work across Heritage and Visitor programmes.
• Maintain backcountry and front country tracks.
• Maintain and clean front and back country amenities.
• Support other teams in the region as required.
• Stay overnight for backcountry trips as needed.

Skills

Full drivers' licence

Maintenance/landscaping

Chainsaws/weed eaters/scrub bars/4WD

Health and safety focus

Backcountry fitness

People skills/teamwork

Tech-savvy (databases/mobile apps)

Education

Growsafe certified

First Aid certificate

Carpentry/construct/building skills

Class 2 licence

Tools

Chainsaws

Weed eaters

Scrub bars

4WD vehicles

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 Tūroa

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

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 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

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.

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.

Applications close at 11:59 pm on Wednesday 7 October 2026.

For further enquiries, please contact Philippa Cox, Principal Ranger, [e-mail]

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. Our people bring this vision to life. Spread across Aotearoa, they care for our land, water, and native species. From frontline rangers and technical experts to vital support teams - we have a diverse range of roles.

Read more about DOC