Ranger- Project Lead, Heritage & Visitors (Multiple Vacancies)

Department of Conservation; Te Anau; On-site; NZD 69,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Conservation in Te Anau is seeking a Project Lead Heritage and Visitors to plan, coordinate and deliver a diverse portfolio of heritage and visitor asset projects across Fiordland. You will provide field-based leadership for practical teams, ensuring work is safe, efficient and of a high standard while protecting historic values.

Based in Te Anau, the role involves working across backcountry and Great Walks networks, managing budgets and timelines, and building strong

Qualifications

• Experience in building or construction gained through a trade qualification or practical field-based work.
• Experience leading projects from planning to delivery.
• Experience leading teams and creating positive working environments.
• Confidence working in backcountry, remote or outdoor environments.
• Current full New Zealand driver licence.

Responsibilities

• Lead practical infrastructure, heritage and visitor projects from planning through to delivery.
• Coordinate resources, work programmes and project priorities across the district.
• Provide day-to-day leadership and direction for project staff in the field.
• Work alongside teams to deliver real on-the-ground outcomes.
• Monitor project timelines, budgets, risks and performance.
• Build strong relationships with internal teams, contractors and community partners.
• Support conservation initiatives in some of Aotearoa New Zealand's most remote locations.

Skills

Field leadership

Team leadership

Backcountry experience

Heritage assets experience

Driver licence

Tools

Chainsaws

Excavators

Job description

Lead field-based conservation projects in the Te Anau District, Fiordland National Park and adjoining Conservation Areas

Monday to Friday role with a mix of front country and backcountry work. Some extended trips do occur periodically during the year.

Permanent role | Salary range - $69,429 - $88,181 dependent on experience

Based in Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland National Park

Combine your practical building or construction background with project leadership and field-based conservation work

Our vision:

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

About the role

Reporting to the Principal Ranger, the Project Lead Heritage and Visitors is responsible for planning, coordinating, and delivering a diverse portfolio of heritage and visitor asset projects across Fiordland. The role provides leadership for field-based teams, ensuring work is completed safely, efficiently, and to a high standard while protecting the unique natural, cultural, and historic values of the region. Working across a range of projects, the Project Lead oversees the maintenance and improvement of visitor facilities, including bridges, tracks, huts, and associated infrastructure across both the backcountry and Great Walks network. The role is also responsible for coordinating work to maintain and preserve historic assets throughout the Fiordland district, ensuring these sites are protected and accessible for future generations. Providing day-to-day leadership in the field on assigned projects, the Project Lead fosters a positive and high-performing team culture, and provides practical guidance and support to staff and contractors. The role works collaboratively with operational teams, mana whenua, contractors, concessionaires, and community partners to achieve visitor, heritage, and conservation objectives. Success in this role requires sound project management capability, practical field leadership, excellent logistical planning skills, and the ability to adapt to the challenges of delivering projects in remote and often challenging Fiordland environments. Through effective leadership and project delivery, the role contributes to ensuring Fiordland's visitor facilities and historic assets remain safe and functional for visitors and communities now and into the future.

The position will also include:

• Leading practical infrastructure, heritage and visitor projects from planning through to delivery
• Coordinating resources, work programmes and project priorities across the district
• Providing day-to-day leadership and direction for project staff in the field
• Working alongside teams to deliver real on-the-ground outcomes (not just managing from behind a desk)
• Monitoring project timelines, budgets, risks and performance
• Building strong relationships with internal teams, contractors and community partners
• Supporting conservation initiatives in some of Aotearoa New Zealand's most remote and remarkable locations

Click here for the Role Description

Please note that DOC housing is not available for this position and rental accommodation in Te Anau can be limited.

Many staff choose to commute from surrounding areas such as Mossburn, Manapōuri and Lumsden.

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

We’re looking for someone who enjoys rolling up their sleeves and leading from the front. You may come from a conservation, building, infrastructure, construction, asset management, forestry or project delivery background.

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

• Experience in building or construction, gained through either a trade qualification or practical field-based work and or some experience operating machinery, including chainsaws and diggers
• Experience leading projects, from planning to project delivery
• Experience leading teams and creating positive working environments
• Confidence working in backcountry, remote or outdoor environments
• Experience with heritage assets, visitor infrastructure or conservation projects
• Current full New Zealand driver licence

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? Tonoa inaiānei

Rā whakakapi | Applications close at 11:59 pm on Wednesday 25th November

Me he pātai anō, whakapā mai | For further enquiries, please contact Abby Caird, Principal Ranger Biodiversity, Heritage and Visitor, [e-mail].

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

Please note, we're unable to accept emailed applications or provide feedback to applicants not shortlisted.