Ranger Project Lead, Statutory – Department of Conservation – Picton

Department of Conservation; Picton; On-site; NZD 68,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

A New Zealand conservation agency seeks a Ranger / Project Lead Community to lead significant statutory work protecting unique conservation values. This permanent full-time role based in Picton offers the opportunity to engage with iwi and communities to achieve meaningful conservation outcomes. Ideal candidates have substantial experience in statutory environments, can interpret legislation, and have strong relationship-building skills. A diverse and inclusive work culture is prioritized, with flexible work arrangements and a competitive salary range of $68,878 to $87,265.

Benefits

Flexible work arrangements

Diverse and inclusive work culture

Qualifications

• Significant experience working with iwi engagement and Treaty obligations.
• Proven ability to interpret and apply legislation.
• Strong organizational skills with competing priorities.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver statutory work programmes.
• Assess Permission applications and provide advisory services.
• Collaborate with colleagues for technical expertise in statutory advice.
• Build and maintain relationships with stakeholders.

Skills

Experience in statutory or regulatory environment

Understanding of legislation

Interpersonal and relationship-building skills

Analytical and critical thinking skills

High-quality writing skills

Project planning and delivery experience

Good IT capability

Understanding of Te Ao Māori

Education

Tertiary qualification in resource or environmental management or legal studies

Job description

• Lead meaningful statutory work that protects Aotearoa’s unique conservation values
• Work in partnership with iwi, communities, and key stakeholders
• Be part of a supportive, high-performing regional statutoryand communityteam
• Permanent, full-time role based in Waitohi Picton
• The salary range for this position is $68,878to $87,265

Our vision: Nature is thriving in Aotearoa | TeOrangao te AoTūroa

The Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai (DOC) serves to protect and restore nature across Aotearoa. When nature thrives, we all thrive.
KotāTe Papa Atawhai hetiaki, hewhakarauoraanōhokiitetaiaoputanoaiAotearoa. Heorangataiao, heorangatangata.

Mōtetūranga | About the role

As aRanger / Project Lead Community (Statutory), you will apply yourexpertisein statutory processes,relationship management,andcommunity engagementtoleadand deliver high-quality statutory workand support strategic community initiativestoachievemeaningful conservation outcomes.

You’llbe part of a motivated and collaborativeregional team, workingon a range of complexstatutory processes andapplications. This role involves interpretingand applyinglegislation and statutory planning documents,assessing applications, and providing robust, well-reasoned advice to managers and decision-makers.

While this role has a strong focus on DOC’s statutory responsibilities under conservation legislation, you will also support the region’s community engagement work. You will manage or support relationships with applicants, concessionaires and Treaty partners, and with community conservation groups and organisations. This will also require you to work collaboratively with District teams across the region and with colleagues in national teams.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading and delivering statutory work programmesAssessingPermissionapplications andprovidinghigh-quality statutory advice
• Contributing to Resource Management Act processes to protect conservation values
• Collaborating with DOC colleagues to incorporate technicalexpertiseinto statutory advice
• Monitoring activities on public conservation land
• Supporting statutory land management and promoting conservation initiatives
• Mentoring others and supporting capability development
• Building andmaintainingstrongrelationships across DOC and with Treaty partners and other external stakeholders
• Managing concessionaire relationships
• RepresentingDOC and coordinating cross-agency initiative
• Supporting the region’scommunityengagement work

Click here for the Role Description

Ngāpūkengamengāwheako | Skills and experience

If you have the following skills and experience, we are keen to hear from you:

• Significant experienceworking in a statutory or regulatory environment, with involvement in community engagement and project delivery
• Strong understanding of, and experience applying, legislation such as the Conservation Act,Wildlife Act,Reserves Act, Resource Management Act, and related statutory frameworks
• Proven ability to interpret legislation, policy, andplanningdocuments and apply them in practice
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills, including experience working withtangatawhenua and diverse stakeholders
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, with the ability to distil complex information into clear, concise advice
• High-quality business and public-facing writing skills
• A tertiary qualification (or equivalent experience) in resource or environmental management,orlegal studies
• Experience planning and delivering medium-complexity projects
• A proactive, well-organised approach, with the ability to manage competing priorities and tight deadlines
• Good IT capability, including experience using database systems
• Understanding ofTeAo Māoriand the Māori–Crown relationship
• Experience with iwi engagement and upholding Treaty Settlement obligations through statutorywork
• A current full New Zealand driver’s licence

If you have the skills, experience, and passion to lead complex statutory work and contribute to positive conservation outcomes,we’dlove to hear from you. Even if youdon’tmeet every requirement but feel your experience closely aligns with the role, we encourage you to apply.

He ahangāpāingamōu? |What’sin it for you?

DOC places importance on developing a culture where everyone canparticipate, thrive, and grow. We’re working towards being an organisation that is diverse,equitableand inclusive by default. You can learn more about what we offer here.

We support flexible work arrangements for our kamahi 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.

Tonoainaiānei | Apply now

Apply online with a CV and cover letter that highlights your relevant skills,experienceand motivation for joining Te Papa Atawhai. Please note, due to the high volume of applications, we are unable to accept direct or emailed applications and provide feedback to those not shortlisted.

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

The salary range for this position is $68,878to $87,265with the starting salary of the successful applicantbeing basedon 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.

Due to high volumes, we are not engaging with recruitment agencies for this role.

Rāwhakakapi | Applications close

at 11:00 pm on Sunday 18 January 2026.

Depending on the volume of applications received, we may close this advertisement early, so pleasesubmityour application as soon as possible

Me hepātaianō,whakapāmai | For further enquiries

pleasecontactJo Gould,Statutory and Community Manager,[e-mail]