Ranger (Fixed-Term) (Seasonal)

Department of Conservation (DOC); Queenstown; On-site; NZD 62,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Conservation (DOC) in Queenstown seeks a hands-on ranger to maintain visitor amenities across the Wakatipu District. You will ensure toilets, carparks, reserves, and campgrounds are clean, safe and welcoming for visitors enjoying some of New Zealand's iconic landscapes.

The role involves practical field work, travel across the district and training on equipment like ride-on mowers and weed eaters. Backcountry work and other field projects may arise.

Qualifications

• Proficiency with weed eaters and scrub bars.
• Weed spraying using knapsack 15L.
• Maintenance of small petrol engines.
• Experience operating small lawn tractors and mowers.
• Knowledge of field delivery work.
• Knowledge of basic horticulture and garden maintenance.
• Proficiency with desktop and handheld devices/apps.
• Back country/tramping/mountaineering experience.
• Traplines network experience.
• Current First Aid certificate.
• Current Full Driver’s Licence.

Responsibilities

• Maintaining visitor amenities such as toilets, carparks, reserves, and campgrounds.
• Carrying out practical field work including mowing, weed control, water supply maintenance, and facility upkeep.
• Supporting visitor experiences through site monitoring and campground compliance.

Skills

First Aid

Driver's Licence

Field delivery knowledge

Horticulture basics

Garden maintenance

Practical maintenance

Weed control

Weed eaters

Back country experience

Tramping/Mountaineering

Lawn tractors/mowers

Computing devices/apps

Tools

Weed eater

Scrub bars

Knapsack sprayer

Ride-on mower

Job description

• Spend your days outdoors, not behind a desk
• Diverse hands‑on work across a variety of visitor sites
• Fixed term, full‑time role October - May 2027 based in Queenstown
• The salary range for this position is $62,069 - $67,446

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

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.

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 i.e. tramping/mountaineering etc
• Traplines (Extensive network of Traps throughout the Wakatipu)

Even if you don’t tick all the boxes but believe your skills and experience closely align, then we still encourage you to apply.

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.

Applications close

at 11.59pm Tuesday 22 September 2026

For further enquiries

please contact Pheobe Shaw, Principal Ranger Whakatipu, [e-mail]