Supervisor Operations

Marketplace; Te Anau; Hybrid; NZD 81,000 - 102,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangements

Job summary

Department of Conservation in Te Anau, Southland, New Zealand, seeks a Supervisor Operations to lead seasonal Rangers and coordinate field and office activities. You will drive safe, high-quality visitor and conservation outcomes across iconic Great Walks and sites, fostering a positive team culture.

Based in Te Anau, this 50/50 office and field role requires strong leadership, planning and collaboration with stakeholders, with flexible working arrangements and a commitment to safety and

Qualifications

• Leadership of field-based teams with supervision, coaching and mentoring.
• Ability to plan, monitor and report on work delivery.
• Strong communication and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.
• Commitment to safety and staff wellbeing in the workplace.
• Proficiency with digital tools and ability to adapt to new systems.
• Delivery-focused and highly organised with proactive problem-solving.
• Ability to work with whānau, hapū, iwi and local communities.
• Must hold a full NZ driver license.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support a large seasonal workforce to deliver safe, high-quality visitor and conservation outcomes.
• Provide day-to-day supervision, coordination and hands-on support in field and office settings.
• Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to deliver priorities.
• Support district recruitment, onboarding and workforce planning activities.
• Collaborate with colleagues across district and region for integrated outcomes.
• Embed systems and processes that support team performance.

Skills

Leadership

Planning & reporting

Communication & collaboration

Safety & wellbeing

Tech-savvy

Delivery focus

Working with iwi & whānau

NZ driver license

Job description

# Supervisor Operations at Department of Conservation, Southland## Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role* Mix your passion for Conservation and team leadership* Permanent role | Salary range - $80,695 - $101,951* Based in beautiful Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland*Varied team lead role supporting the delivery of conservation work within the district.* **Our vision: Nature is thriving in Aotearoa | Te Oranga o te Ao Tūroa** **Mō te tūranga | About the role** Reporting to the Principal Ranger, as the **Supervisor**, you will lead a team of Seasonal Rangers based in Te Anau, providing leadership, coordination and support to deliver operational priorities across some of Aotearoa New Zealand's most iconic visitor destinations, including the Kepler, Milford and Routeburn Great Walks, Milford Road & Mavora Lakes Campsites and icon day visitor sites as well as several other Conservation Areas You'll play a key role in creating a positive team culture, ensuring safe and high-quality delivery, and supporting the successful operation of the district through the busy season (October to May). This is a 50/50 office and field-based role. The Supervisor Seasonal Staff leads and supports seasonal teams in the field while also coordinating work programmes, logistics, and administration from the office. By maintaining a strong presence on the ground and overseeing operational planning, the role ensures staff are well supported, work is delivered safely and effectively, and visitor and conservation outcomes are achieved. The position is focused on:* Leading and supporting a large seasonal workforce to deliver safe, high-quality visitor and conservation outcomes.* Providing day-to-day supervision, coordination and hands-on support while fostering a positive, collaborative team environment.* Building strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.* Supporting district recruitment, onboarding and workforce planning activities.* Working collaboratively with colleagues across the district and region to deliver integrated, high-priority conservation outcomes.* Embedding effective systems, processes and ways of working that support successful team performance.Some weekend work may be required during the summer season. **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** You're a natural leader who thrives in dynamic environments. You are passionate about Conservation and enjoy working within a team all aiming for the same goals. If you have some of the following, we are keen to hear from you:* Leadership of field-based teams, with experience in supervising, coaching and mentoring* Demonstrated capability to plan, monitor and report on work delivery* A team player with a 'can-do' attitude - practically minded, you are happy to jump in and help out when needed* A strong and proactive communicator and collaborator, you build strong internal and external relationships with ease* Leads by example, setting high personal and professional standards, assumes responsibility and accountability for the success of the team* A strong commitment to safety and mental wellbeing in the workplace* Technologically savvy and able to keep up with changes in the digital space* Delivery-focused and proactive, you're highly organised and continuously seek opportunities to improve efficiency* Ability to work alongside whānau, hapū, iwi collaboratively and effectively, as well as the community, businesses, and others* Full NZ driver license**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. Want to know more? **Tonoa inaiānei | Apply now** Apply online with your CV and cover letter outlining your relevant experience and motivation. If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process, let us know and we'll try to accommodate. **Salary:** $80,695 - $101,951, 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 Wednesday 25th November. This advert may close early, so please apply promptly **Me he pātai anō, whakapā mai | For further enquiries**, please contact Abby Caird, Principal Ranger Biodiversity, Heritage and Visitor, [e-mail]. Please note, we're unable to accept emailed applications or provide feedback to applicants not shortlisted.## Ngā taipitopito tūranga mahi | Job details| | || --- | --- || Employer: | Department of Conservation || Location: | Southland || Position type: | Ongoing - Full Time || Category: | Science and Environment || Date listed: | 10-Nov-2026 || Salary range: | N/A || Closing date: | 26-Nov-2026 || Reference: | JR103030\\_1794277547 || Attachment: | No File Attached || File links: | || Website: | http://www.doc.govt.nz/ |Note: You may be redirected to the employer's careers website.