Seasonal Backcountry Ranger: Conservation & Visitor Ops

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

Job summary

The Department of Conservation in Karamea is seeking a fixed-term summer role based in the Heritage and Visitor team. You’ll contribute to maintaining visitor facilities and conservation assets across iconic areas such as Heaphy Track, Oparara Basin, and Kohaihai.

This hands-on, remote role offers diverse days, backpack trips, front-country and backcountry work, and real opportunities to build practical conservation skills while working with a small team.

Qualifications

• Full drivers’ licence; ability to operate a trailer.
• Experience maintaining tracks, huts, vegetation, or grounds.
• NZQA qualifications for chainsaws, weed eaters, scrub bars and 4WDs.

Responsibilities

• Maintain backcountry and front-country tracks and visitor infrastructure.
• Carry out hut, campsite, and amenity maintenance and cleaning.
• Support conservation and heritage programmes across the district.
• Work in remote locations including overnight backcountry trips.

Skills

Full driver's licence

Backcountry experience

First Aid certificate

Growsafe certified

Teamwork

Health and safety focus

Chainsaw experience

4WD operation

Education

NZQA qualifications

Tools

Chainsaws

Weed eaters

Scrub bars

4WD

Motorcycles

Job description

The Department of Conservation in Karamea is seeking a fixed-term summer role based in the Heritage and Visitor team. You’ll contribute to maintaining visitor facilities and conservation assets across iconic areas such as Heaphy Track, Oparara Basin, and Kohaihai.

This hands-on, remote role offers diverse days, backpack trips, front-country and backcountry work, and real opportunities to build practical conservation skills while working with a small team.