Visitor Centre Ranger (Fixed Term)

New Zealand Government; New Zealand; Remote; NZD 62,000 - 67,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Staff accommodation

Job summary

Department of Conservation seeks a Customer-focused Visitor Centre Ranger to provide high-quality information, bookings, and merchandise support at the Paparoa National Park Visitor Centre in Punakaiki. This fixed-term role focuses on delivering exceptional visitor experiences and promoting conservation across the local area.

You will guide visitors on tracks and safety, handle bookings and cash, and work with iwi and local groups to strengthen community connections while supporting day-to-day

Qualifications

• A passion for conservation and connecting people with nature.
• Strong customer service and communication skills.
• Ability to confidently engage with a wide range of visitors and stakeholders.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a collaborative approach to teamwork.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Experience in customer service, tourism, retail, sales or visitor services.
• Ability to work independently and use good judgement in a dynamic environment.
• Commitment to health, safety and providing accurate visitor information.
• Understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and working with iwi and tangata whenua.
• Full New Zealand Driver Licence

Responsibilities

• Provide visitors with up-to-date information on tracks, huts, weather conditions, conservation projects and recreational opportunities.
• Promote and sell DOC visitor experiences, bookings and merchandise.
• Assist with visitor bookings, administration and cash handling processes.
• Support visitor safety by sharing relevant alerts, hazards and track conditions.
• Help maintain a welcoming, well-presented and professional Visitor Centre environment.
• Support relationships with local communities, volunteers, iwi and partner organisations.
• Contribute to a positive team culture focused on safety, conservation and exceptional visitor experiences.
• Assist the wider District work delivery across biodiversity, heritage and visitor engagement initiatives.

Skills

Passion for conservation

Customer service

Engaging with diverse visitors

Interpersonal and teamwork

Organisational skills

Experience in tourism/retail/visitor

Independent working and good judgment

Health and safety oriented

Te Tiriti o Waitangi awareness

NZ Driver Licence

Job description

# Visitor Centre Ranger (Fixed Term) at Department of Conservation, West Coast## Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role* Engage with visitors from around New Zealand and the world, sharing knowledge about local recreation, conservation and cultural heritage.* Salary Range: $62,192 - $67,446* Secondment/Fixed Term opportunities until May 2027 based at the Paparoa National Park Visitor Center**Our vision: Nature is thriving in Aotearoa | Te Oranga o te Ao Tūroa****Mō te tūranga | About the role** We're looking for a customer-focused and enthusiastic Visitor Centre Rangers to join our team on a fixed-term or secondment basis through to May 2027.This role is at the frontline of DOC's visitor experience, providing high-quality information, advice and support to visitors while helping connect people with Aotearoa New Zealand's unique natural and cultural heritage. You'll play a key role in promoting conservation, recreation opportunities, local attractions and visitor safety while supporting the day-to-day operation of the Visitor Centre.Working as part of a passionate and collaborative team, you will:* Provide visitors with up-to-date information on tracks, huts, weather conditions, conservation projects and recreational opportunities.* Promote and sell DOC visitor experiences, bookings and merchandise.* Assist with visitor bookings, administration and cash handling processes.* Support visitor safety by sharing relevant alerts, hazards and track conditions.* Help maintain a welcoming, well-presented and professional Visitor Centre environment.* Support relationships with local communities, volunteers, iwi and partner organisations.* Contribute to a positive team culture focused on safety, conservation and exceptional visitor experiences.* Assisting the wider District work delivery across other areas, such as biodiversity, heritage and visitor, community engagement and education opportunities.This position operates on a rostered schedule. While you will have a regular roster that includes working on weekend days, flexibility is required from time to time to support operational requirements, including covering shifts, public holidays and periods of increased visitor demand.This role comes with the option of DOC staff accommodation in Punakaiki, available via a tenancy agreement and within walking distance of the Visitor Centre.Click here for the Role Description''**Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience** We are keen to hear from you, if you have;* A passion for conservation and connecting people with nature.* Strong customer service and communication skills.* The ability to confidently engage with a wide range of visitors and stakeholders.* Excellent interpersonal skills and a collaborative approach to teamwork.* Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.* Experience in customer service, tourism, retail, sales or visitor services.* The ability to work independently and use good judgement in a dynamic environment.* A commitment to health, safety and providing accurate visitor information.* An understanding of, or willingness to learn about, Te Tiriti o Waitangi and working in partnership with iwi and tangata whenua.* A 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.**Tonoa inaiānei | Apply now**Apply online with your CV and cover letter outlining your relevant experience and motivation. We're unable to accept emailed applications or provide feedback to applicants not shortlisted.If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process, let us know and we'll try to accommodate.**Salary:** $62,192 - $67,446, depending on skills and experience.**Eligibility:** You must hold a valid NZ work visa that covers the duration of employment.**Rā whakakapi | Applications close** at 11:59 pm on Sunday 27 September**Me he pātai anō, whakapā mai | For further enquiries**, please contact please contact'Justin Blacklock at'[e-mail]'or'027 208 3416.'## Ngā taipitopito tūranga mahi | Job details| | || --- | --- || Employer: | Department of Conservation || Location: | West Coast || Position type: | Fixed Term Contract || Category: | Customer services || Date listed: | 10-Sep-2026 || Salary range: | N/A || Closing date: | 28-Sep-2026 || Reference: | JR102701\\_1789000670 |