Ranger Project Lead, Community

Department of Conservation (DOC); Hokitika; On-site; NZD 69,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Conservation (DOC) Hokitika invites applications for a full-time role leading statutory processes and conservation programmes across private and public land. Based in Hokitika, you’ll grow partnerships with iwi, concessionaires, local authorities, and communities while mentoring colleagues and representing DOC in cross-agency work.

Key focus areas include statutory management, advocacy, monitoring, and district collaboration to deliver integrated conservation outcomes.

Qualifications

• Experience with statutory processes, resource management, concessions, and compliance monitoring.
• Strong relationship management and negotiation skills 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 of reports, assessments and correspondence.
• Understanding of Te Tiriti partnership and engaging with tangata whenua.
• Current full New Zealand driver license.
• Drone pilot experience and 4WD knowledge would be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support statutory processes and activities on conservation land.
• Advocacy and outreach in planning and policy processes, building community awareness.
• Monitor compliance and undertake site inspections.
• Stakeholder engagement with Treaty partners, concessionaires, local authorities and communities.
• Collaborate with biodiversity, recreation, visitor, heritage, compliance and operations teams.

Skills

Statutory processes

Relationship management

Community engagement

Technical communication

Planning and analysis

Report writing

Te Tiriti awareness

Driver license

Drone piloting

Job description

• 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 ngā wheako | Skills and experience

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

• 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 ngā pāinga mōu? | 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.

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

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

Depending on the volume of applications received, we may close this advertisement early, so please submit your application as soon as possible.

Me he pātai anō, whakapā mai | For further enquiries

Please contact Celine Stokowski, Principal Ranger Community and Regional Biodiversity, [e-mail]