Ranger Project Lead – Heritage & Visitors

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

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangements

Job summary

Department of Conservation (DOC) in New Plymouth is seeking a Ranger Project Lead – Heritage & Visitors to deliver the Taranaki Regional and District priorities, enhancing visitor experiences and conservation outcomes. You will lead projects, manage contractors, and develop business cases to ensure on-time, on-budget delivery.

The role requires hands-on coordination, strong stakeholder relationships, and a background in site management or related fields, with a focus on health and safety and

Qualifications

• A tertiary qualification or equivalent experience in site management, construction, or safety management.
• Significant practical experience in CAPEX project delivery and contract management.
• Strong relationship-building and communication skills.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with tangata whenua and diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to clearly understand and communicate technical information.
• Solid knowledge of infrastructure, asset management, and procurement processes.
• Strong focus and knowledge of Health and Safety, especially contractor management.
• Current First Aid Certificate and full NZ Driver’s Licence (with the ability to drive a manual preferred).
• Confident with technology and quick to learn new systems.

Responsibilities

• Deliver heritage and visitor projects across the district, such as replacing structures, signs, upgrading tracks and facilities and organising contractors.
• Develop business cases to support project planning and decision-making when required.
• Manage contracts, budgets, and resources effectively.
• Applying hands-on building trade experience to solve maintenance challenges.
• Ensuring the safety, functionality, and longevity of DOC facilities and infrastructure.
• Coordinating with contractors and internal teams to complete maintenance projects efficiently and effectively.
• Collaborating with the engineering team and various stakeholders to prioritise and execute maintenance work.
• Support other districts across the region when required.

Skills

Site management

Construction

Safety management

CAPEX project delivery

Contract management

Relationship-building

Communication

Stakeholder engagement

Technical communication

Infrastructure knowledge

Health and Safety

First Aid

NZ Driver’s Licence

Technology literacy

Education

Tertiary qualification or equivalent experience in site management, construction, or safety management

Job description

• Lead conservation projects and enhance visitor experiences
• The salary range for this position is $69,429 - $88,181 depending on skills and experience
• Permanent, full-time position based in New Plymouth.

Drive initiatives that enhance visitor experiences and support conservation outcomes across the Taranaki region

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

Mō te tūranga | About the role

The Department of Conservation protects and manages Aotearoa New Zealand's natural and historic heritage for the benefit of present and future generations. Our Regional Operations Group delivers the frontline conservation work that protects and enhances the places, species, and ecosystems entrusted to DOC.

As the Ranger Project Lead – Heritage & Visitors, you’ll play a key role delivering the Taranaki Regional and District priorities over the next 5 years to enhance the visitor experience. Working with the Principal Ranger, you’ll manage contractors and oversee all aspects of project planning and implementation. You’ll collaborate with Operations teams, Treaty Partners, and external stakeholders to develop business cases and deliver projects on time, on budget, and to a high standard.

This hands‑on role suits someone who enjoys coordinating people and projects, solving problems in dynamic environments, and building strong relationships to achieve great outcomes for te taiao, visitors, and heritage.

The position will be focussed on:

• Delivering heritage and visitor projects across the district, such as replacing structures, signs, upgrading tracks and facilities and organising contractors.
• Develop business cases to support project planning and decision‑making when required.
• Manage contracts, budgets, and resources effectively
• Applying hands‑on building trade experience to solve maintenance challenges.
• Ensuring the safety, functionality, and longevity of DOC facilities and infrastructure.
• Coordinating with contractors and internal teams to complete maintenance projects efficiently and effectively.
• Collaborating with the engineering team and various stakeholders to prioritise and execute maintenance work.
• Support other districts across the region when required

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

We are looking for an inspiring leader who is passionate about achieving greater conservation outcomes for Taranaki and neighbouring districts. You will be highly motivated, well organised and have a positive attitude.

• A tertiary qualification or equivalent experience in site management, construction, or safety management.
• Significant practical experience in CAPEX project delivery and contract management
• Strong relationship‑building and communication skills.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with tangata whenua and diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to clearly understand and communicate technical information.
• Solid knowledge of infrastructure, asset management, and procurement processes.
• Strong focus and knowledge of Health and Safety, especially contractor management.
• Current First Aid Certificate and full NZ Driver’s Licence (with the ability to drive a manual preferred).
• Confident with technology and quick to learn new systems

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.

We also support flexible working arrangements for our kaimahi across Aotearoa, with options considered based on the role and in discussion with your leader.

If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process, let us know and we’ll try to accommodate.

Salary: $69,429 - $88,181, 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 27th September. This advert may close early, so please apply promptly

Me he pātai anō, whakapā mai | For further enquiries

please contact Leeza Young, Senior Recruitment Advisor, [e-mail]