Ranger Project Lead, Community

Department of Conservation; Hokitika; Presencial; NZD 69.000 - 88.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

The Department of Conservation in Hokitika is seeking a lead role to manage statutory processes and grow partnerships across government, iwi, concessionaires and communities. You will mentor colleagues, represent DOC in cross-agency initiatives, and support conservation programmes.

Based in Hokitika, this permanent full-time position offers a salary of NZD 69,429 to NZD 88,181, depending on skills and experience, with a strong emphasis on relationship management, advocacy, and compliance

Formación

• Strong background in statutory processes, resource management, concessions and compliance monitoring.
• Relationship management and negotiation with diverse stakeholders.
• Experience in community engagement, consultation, or event planning.
• Ability to interpret and communicate technical information clearly.
• Strong planning, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent writing skills for reports, assessments and correspondence.
• Understanding of Te Tiriti partnership and engaging with tangata whenua.
• A current full New Zealand driver licence.
• Drone pilot experience could be advantageous.
• 4WD certification could be advantageous.
• Knowledge of mining operations would be advantageous.

Responsabilidades

• Lead or support statutory, advocacy, and community conservation programmes.
• Assess applications for and manage complex or high-risk activities on public conservation land.
• Represent DOC in statutory planning, policy and Resource Management Act processes.
• Build and maintain relationships with Treaty partners, concessionaires, authorities and communities.
• Mentor colleagues and participate in cross-agency and community initiatives.

Conocimientos

Statutory processes

Relationship management

Community engagement

Technical communication

Planning & analysis

Report writing

Te Tiriti understanding

NZ driver licence

Drone piloting

4WD certification

Mining knowledge

Herramientas

Drone operations

4WD vehicle operations

Descripción del empleo

Lead key statutory processes associated with activities on private and public conservation land. Grow relationships through engagement with stakeholders, concessionaires, local authorities, industry, iwi/hapū, community groups and other partners. Salary range: $69,429 to $88,181 depending on skills and experience. Permanent full-time position based in Hokitika.

Our vision:

Nature is thriving in Aotearoa | Te Oranga o te Ao Tūroa Mō te tūranga

About the role

In this role, you'll be part of the Hokitika Operations Team, working across the district to lead or support statutory, advocacy, and community conservation programmes. You'll work with a variety of parties internally and externally and mentor colleagues and represent DOC in cross-agency and community initiatives.

Key areas of focus for this role include:

• Statutory Management - assess applications for, and manage, complex or high-risk activities on public conservation land.
• Advocacy and Outreach - represent DOC's conservation interests in statutory planning, policy and Resource Management Act processes, while building community awareness and support for conservation.
• Monitoring and Compliance - undertake site inspections to assess compliance with approvals and conditions, and responding to findings as required.
• Stakeholder Engagement - build and maintain relationships with Treaty partners, concessionaires, local authorities, businesses, schools, community organisations, and other stakeholders.
• District Collaboration - work alongside biodiversity, recreation, visitor, heritage, compliance, and operations teams to deliver integrated conservation outcomes.

Ngā pūkenga me īn wheako | Skills and experience

• Strong background and/or capability in statutory processes, resource management, concessions and compliance monitoring.
• Strong relationship management and negotiation skills, and experience working with a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Experience in community engagement, consultation, or event planning.
• Ability to interpret and communicate technical information clearly.
• Strong planning, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent writing skills, including preparing clear and concise reports, assessments, and correspondence.
• Understanding of Te Tiriti partnership and comfort engaging with tangata whenua.
• A current full New Zealand driver licence.
• Drone pilot experience, 4WD certification and knowledge of mining operations would be advantageous.

He aha īn āe Łą? | What's in it for you?

DOC places importance on developing a culture where everyone can participate, thrive, and grow. We're working towards being an organisation that is diverse, equitable and inclusive by default. You can learn more about what we offer here. We support flexible work arrangements for our kaimahi who are working in a wide variety of roles and locations across Aotearoa. Flexible options will be considered based on your role and in discussion with your leader.

Salary:

$69,429 to $88,181 with the starting salary of the successful applicant being 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 11:59 pm on Monday 2 November 2026

Me he pātai anń, whakapā mai | For further enquiries, please contact Celine Stokowski, Principal Ranger Community and Regional Biodiversity, [e-mail]