Ranger (Fixed term/ Secondment)

Department of Conservation NZ; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 61,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Conservation NZ in Christchurch is seeking a motivated field role to support ecological weed control, pest control, and native planting across Te Waihora projects. This fixed-term, full-time position is based at Sockburn/Mahaanui Office and may run to June 2027, with salary $61,189–$67,446.

You will work outdoors in wetlands, partnering across three projects to protect biodiversity and deliver landscape-scale conservation outcomes.

Qualifications

• Experience in varied methods of weed control, particularly for willow
• Native restoration planting experience
• Ability to do repetitive physical work long-term
• Growsafe certificate is desirable
• Kayak training and wader training are advantageous
• 4WD experience and training are desirable
• First Aid certificate is desirable

Responsibilities

• Ecological weed control across multiple project sites
• Animal pest control
• Eco-sourced planting and habitat restoration

Skills

Weed control experience

Restoration planting experience

Physical endurance

First Aid certificate

Growsafe certificate

Kayak training

Wader training

4WD experience

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 9th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

Department of Conservation NZ – Sockburn, South Island

• Exciting opportunity to use your experience and knowledge to benefit conservation outcomes.
• Salary range: $61,189 - $67,446
• Full time, fixed term or secondment until June 2027, based at Sockburn/Mahaanui Office, Christchurch.

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

Mūn te tūnanga | About the role

This is an opportunity to join a team who work across three projects - Te Waihora Weed Strikeforce, Kahuria Te Waihora, and the Tārerekautuku Wetland Project.

Each project has independent funding which we've combined to create full time work. The aim of all three projects is to protect and enhance the indigenous biodiversity of Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere.

The tasks are physically demanding and are often situated in un-tracked wetlands where environmental conditions can be harsh. Although physically demanding, the work can be incredibly rewarding as we continue to make a positive change at a landscape scale on the margins of Te Waihora.

This role will be focussed on:

• ecological weed control
• animal pest control
• eco-sourced planting

If you have some of following, we are keen to hear from you:

• experience in varied methods of weed control, particularly for willow
• native restoration planting experience
• ability to do repetitive physical work long-term.
• Growsafe certificate
• kayak training
• wader training
• 4WD experience and training
• First Aid certificate.

Mūn te tīma | About the team

The team in the Mahaanui District delivers the broad range of conservation work from the Rakaia River in the south to the Conway River (just south of Kaikoura) in the north.

This includes the Christchurch and Banks Peninsula area.' There are also a range of terrestrial biodiversity values, threats, conservation areas and recreation opportunities that require protection and maintenance.

The District manages an offshore island with high biodiversity values, has a base in Akaroa, a native plant nursery at Motukarara and a visitor centre in the city centre.

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: $61,189 - $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 Sunday 13 September 2026, This advert may close early, so please apply promptly

Me he pātai anʱ, whakapā mai | For further enquiries, please contact Gary Boyd Supervisor at'*****@doc.govt.nz