Ranger (Fixed-Term) (Seasonal)

New Zealand Government; Queenstown; On-site; NZD 62,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

New Zealand Government in Queenstown is seeking a hands-on Heritage and Visitor team member to maintain visitor amenities and recreation sites across the Wakatipu District. You will help keep facilities clean, safe and welcoming for visitors enjoying New Zealand’s iconic landscapes.

The role involves mowing, weed control, water system maintenance and campground compliance, with regular district travel and training on ride-on mowers and weed eaters.

Qualifications

• Use of weed eaters and scrub bars.
• Weed spraying with knapsack 15L.
• Basic maintenance of small petrol engines.
• Operation of small lawn tractors and mowers.
• Practical maintenance skills applicable to field work.
• Has a current First Aid certificate.
• Has a current Full Driver's Licence.
• Knowledge of field delivery work.
• Knowledge of basic horticulture and garden maintenance.
• Proficient with desktop and handheld computing devices and apps.
• Back country experience such as tramping or mountaineering.
• Knowledge of traplines across the Wakatipu.

Responsibilities

• Maintaining visitor amenities, including toilets, carparks, reserves, and campgrounds.
• Carrying out practical field work such as mowing, weed control, water supply maintenance and facility upkeep.
• Supporting visitor experiences through site monitoring and campground compliance activities.
• Regular travel around the district to service multiple visitor sites.
• Training on equipment like ride-on mowers and weed eaters.
• Potential involvement in other field projects and occasional overnight backcountry work.

Skills

Weed eaters

Weed spraying

Small engines maintenance

Lawn tractors & mowers

Practical maintenance

First Aid certificate

Full Driver's Licence

Field delivery work

Horticulture & garden maintenance

Computing devices & apps

Back country / tramping

Traplines knowledge

Job description

Spend your days outdoors, not behind a deskDiverse hands‑on work across a variety of visitor sitesFixed term, full‑time role October - May 2027 based in QueenstownThe salary range for this position is $62,069 - $67,446Our vision: Nature is thriving in Aotearoa | Te Oranga o te Ao Tūroa Mō te tūranga

About the role

Join our Heritage and Visitor team maintaining visitor amenities and recreation sites across the Wakatipu District. Based Queenstown, you'll help ensure facilities are clean, safe, and welcoming for visitors enjoying some of New Zealand's most iconic landscapes.

The position will be focused on:

• Maintaining visitor amenities, including toilets, carparks, reserves, and campgrounds.
• Completing practical field work such as mowing, weed control, water supply maintenance, and facility upkeep.
• Supporting visitor experiences through site monitoring and campground compliance activities.
• The role involves regular travel throughout the district, from the Routeburn Track to the Kawarau Gorge, servicing a range of visitor sites.
• Training on equipment such as ride-on mowers and weed eaters will be provided.
• There may also be opportunities to assist with other field projects and occasional overnight backcountry work.

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

• Use of weed eaters/scrub bars
• Weed spraying (knapsack 15ltr)
• Basic maintenance of small petrol driven engines
• Experience with operating small lawn tractors and mowers
• Applies use of practical maintenance skills
• Has a current First Aid certificate
• Has a current Full Driver's Licence
• Has a knowledge of field delivery work
• Has a knowledge of basic horticulture and garden maintenance work
• Applies effective use of desktop and hand-held computing devices and apps
• Back country experience ie tramping/mountaineering etc
• Traplines (Extensive network of Traps throughout the Wakatipu)

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

If you require any accommodations or adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.

The salary range for this position is $62,069 - $67,446 with the starting salary of the successful applicant 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.

Rā whakakapi | Applications close at 11.59pm Tuesday 22 September 2026

Me he pātai anō, whakapā mai | For further enquiries, please contact Pheobe Shaw, Principal Ranger Whakatipu, [e-mail].