Ranger | Tūtei

Department of Conservation; Palmerston North; On-site; NZD 62,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Conservation seeks a proactive Ranger to help manage Whanganui National Park facilities, tracks, and heritage sites. You will work across backcountry and front-country areas, performing maintenance, biodiversity tasks, and stakeholder liaison while prioritising safety and team collaboration.

This full-time role requires flexibility for remote locations, up to 3 nights away per week, weekend work, and the ability to travel.

Qualifications

• Proactive team player with a passion for conservation and practical field-based work.
• Ability to work across biodiversity activities and build positive relationships.
• Experience with basic maintenance and safety practices.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• Commitment to health and safety processes.

Responsibilities

• Ensure facilities, tracks, and signage are safe and accessible.
• Clear and maintain tracks and back/front country.
• Maintain toilets, huts, bridges, and structures.
• Contribute to biodiversity initiatives: trapping, predator/weed control.
• Build relationships with stakeholders and internal staff.
• Participate in safety briefings and stay safe.

Skills

Problem solving

Team player

Maintenance skills

Communication

Health and Safety

Outdoor fitness

Driver's Licence

Tech literacy

Iwi/community engagement

GPS/navigation

Job description

• Live and work in one of Aotearoa New Zealand's most spectacular natural environments - Whanganui National Park!
• Salary range: $62,192 to $67,446 depending on skills and experience
• Permanent, fulltime position | based in Whanganui but may consider other locations within the district for the right candidate

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

Mō te tūranga | About the role

How would you like to call the scenic Whanganui National Park your new office? Would you enjoy mahi that involves a Great Walk, beautiful heritage sites, including the Whanganui River and local treasures.

The Ranger is a crucial operational role within the close-knit team based in Whanganui. You will be contributing to meaningful mahi in both the back and front-country as you assist the Regional Operations Whanganui District team with maintaining some of Aotearoa New Zealand's beautiful heritage sites.

The position will be focussed on:

• Ensuring facilities, tracks, and signage are safe and accessible.
• Track clearing and maintenance in the back and front country.
• Maintaining toilets, huts, bridges, and other structures.
• Biodiversity initiatives: trapping, monitoring, predator and weed control
• Building and maintaining relationships with stakeholders and internal staff.
• Participating in team safety briefings and taking responsibility for your safety and the safety of your teammates every day.
• Rostered Hut Ranger cover at least once a month on the Whanganui Journey Great Walk this will include weekend work so flexibility is a must.

While this position is mostly field-based you will also be required to complete office-based tasks assisting the Principal Ranger with planning and organising of projects.

You will be required to often work in backcountry locations - in remote and rugged terrain. You must be flexible and available to regularly travel and to stay away from home up to 3 nights a week. Some weekend work will be required

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

We are looking for a proactive team player with a passion for conservation and a practical approach to field-based work. You'll be comfortable working across a range of biodiversity activities, building positive relationships, and contributing to the delivery of meaningful conservation outcomes.

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

• Enthusiasm and a can-do attitude with problem solving ability.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in challenging environments.
• Basic handy person and maintenance skills.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills
• Good planning, organisational, and problem-solving skills
• A commitment to practicing good Health and Safety processes.
• Developed communication and interpersonal skills.
• High fitness level with outdoor experience.
• Full New Zealand Driver's Licence.
• Tech skills with ability to learn new systems.
• Experience and/or qualifications with chainsaws, scrub bars, 4WDS, LUV
• Experience working with iwi, community groups, volunteers, and conservation partners
• Off track navigation and GPS skills.
• Knowledge of New Zealand's native flora, fauna, and ecosystems
• Understanding of conservation including predator and weed control.
• Experience operating a digger, excavator, or vessel.

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.

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

Salary: $62,192 to $67,446, depending on skills and experience.

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

Please note, we are not engaging with recruitment agencies for this role.

Rā whakakapi | Applications close

at 11:59 pm on Thursday 5th November 2026. This advert may close early, so

Me he pātai anō, whakapā mai | For further enquiries

please contact Josh Kilmister, Principal Ranger Heritage and Visitors at @doc.govt.nz Please note, we're unable to accept applications via email or provide feedback to applicants not shortlisted.