Ranger Heritage and Visitors

New Zealand Government Joba; Kaitaia; On-site; NZD 66,000 - 77,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Conservation (DOC) in Kaitaia is seeking a hands-on maintenance specialist to protect iconic NZ places. This field-based role covers campground upkeep, historic site care, track maintenance, and ensuring safe visitor experiences.

You will operate chainsaws, scrub bars, weed-eaters, tractors, and mowers, lead safety briefings, collaborate with mana whenua and volunteers, and assist with emergency response when needed.

Qualifications

• Hands-on maintenance experience in carpentry, building, plumbing, infrastructure maintenance or similar trades.
• High level of physical fitness and experience working outdoors.
• Strong planning and organizational skills.
• Proactive approach and practical, creative problem solving.
• Comfort with digital tools, apps, and computer systems.
• Experience using hand tools and machinery (chainsaws, scrub bars, weed-eaters, tractors, mowers).
• Commitment to health, safety and wellbeing.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Passion for the outdoors and interest in a long-term DOC career.

Responsibilities

• Maintain campgrounds to ensure safety, cleanliness, and readiness for visitors.
• Carry out maintenance on historic sites and other visitor infrastructure.
• Undertake track maintenance and vegetation clearance using tools and machinery.
• Lead safety briefings and uphold safety for yourself and others.
• Maintain positive relationships with mana whenua, stakeholders and visitors.
• Support planning, reporting and project delivery with office-based tasks.
• Contribute to emergency response activities when required.

Skills

Hands-on carpentry

Outdoor work fitness

Planning & organizing

Creative problem solving

Digital tools

Hand tools operation

Health & safety

Interpersonal skills

Outdoor passion

Tools

Chainsaws

Scrub bars

Weed-eaters

Tractors

Mowers

Carpentry equipment

Job description

Put your practical skills to use in mahi that connects people with natureMake a real difference in the conservation outcomes in the Kaitaia region!The salary ranges from $65,590 - $76,589 depending on skills and experience.Permanent, full-time role based in KaitaiaMake the beautiful Far North your office and enjoy a challenging, rewarding career contributing to positive Conservation outcomes. Our vision: Nature is thriving in Aotearoa | Te Oranga o te Ao Tūroa Mō te tūranga

About the role

An exciting opportunity has become available to join our Heritage and Visitors team based in Kaitaia. We are seeking a motivated and collaborative team member who is passionate about conservation, visitor experiences, and making a positive difference for people and nature. As part of a dedicated team, you will help manage and maintain an extensive network of recreational assets that enable people to safely experience and connect with some of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most iconic natural places. From tracks and huts to visitor facilities and historic sites, you’ll play a key role in delivering high-quality visitor experiences while protecting the natural and cultural heritage that makes the Far North unique.

In this role, you will be involved in:

• maintaining campgrounds to ensure they are safe, welcoming and ready for visitors, including rubbish collection and servicing wastewater systems
• carrying out maintenance work on historic sites and other visitor infrastructure
• undertaking track maintenance and vegetation clearance in both front and backcountry environments using tools and machinery such as scrub bars and chainsaws
• leading team safety briefings and taking responsibility for your own safety and the safety of others every day
• maintaining positive relationships with our Treaty partners, mana whenua, stakeholders and visitors

This position is predominantly field-based, with most of your time spent working outdoors. You'll also complete office-based tasks to support planning, reporting and project delivery. There will be opportunities to work across teams and contribute to emergency response activities when required.

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

We are looking for a confident communicator who can work well in a team environment as well as alone. If you have some of following, we are keen to hear from you:

• a hands-on practical skillset, ideally gained through carpentry, building, plumbing, infrastructure maintenance or similar trades
• a high level of physical fitness and experience working in outdoor environments
• good planning and organisational skills
• a proactive approach and a 'No. 8 wire' mindset, with the ability to think creatively and find practical solutions
• confidence using digital tools, mobile applications and computer-based systems
• experience operating hand tools and machinery such as chainsaws, scrub bars, weed-eaters, tractors, mowers and carpentry equipment
• a strong commitment to health, safety and wellbeing
• excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• a passion for the outdoors and an interest in developing a long-term career with DOC
• a full, current driver licence
• the ability to lead teams and volunteers undertaking work for the Department

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. Want to know more?

Salary: $65,590 - $76,589, depending on skills and experience.

Eligibility: You must hold a valid NZ work visa that covers the duration of employment.

Please note, we are not engaging with recruitment agencies for this role.

Rā whakakapi | Applications close at 11:59 pm on Sunday 18th October.

Me he pātai anō, whakapā mai | For further enquiries, please contact Leeza Young, Senior Recruitment Advisor, [e-mail]