Marine Protection Ranger (Fixed term) at Department of Conservation | Te Papa Atawhai

Whitianga, Waikato, New Zealand -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

08 Jun, 26

Salary

87275.0

Posted On

10 Mar, 26

Experience

2 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Skippering, Vessel Operation, Compliance Management, Advocacy, Public Engagement, Biodiversity Monitoring, Ecological Fieldwork, Incident Response, Reporting, Communication, Cultural Awareness, Adaptability, Problem Solving, Navigation, Mechanical Troubleshooting, Risk Management

Industry

Government Administration

Description

Are you passionate about marine conservation and protecting our coastal ecosystems? Are you a skilled and experienced skipper? Join us in protecting and revitalising the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park Salary ranges from $68,878 to $87,275 depending on skills and experience Fulltime, fixed term opportunity through to April 2027 | Based in Whitianga. Operating days: Wednesday to Sunday year-round Our vision: Nature is thriving in Aotearoa | Te Oranga o te Ao Tūroa The Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai (DOC) serves to protect and restore nature across Aotearoa. When nature thrives, we all thrive. Ko tā Te Papa Atawhai he tiaki, he whakarauora anō hoki i te taiao puta noa i Aotearoa. He oranga taiao, he oranga tangata. Join us in protecting and revitalising the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park, New Zealand’s first marine park and only national park of the sea. Covering 1.4 million hectares, it’s more than 20 times the size of Lake Taupō and includes the Waitematā Harbour, Gulf Islands, Firth of Thames, and Coromandel Peninsula. Renowned as the seabird capital of the world and a vital whale superhighway, this marine park is intensively used and located right on the doorstep of our most populated city. Find out more: https://www.doc.govt.nz/our-work/revitalising-the-gulf/new-marine-protections-in-the-hauraki-gulf/ The proposed Hauraki Gulf / Tīkapa Moana Marine Protection Bill aims to establish 19 new marine protection areas to enhance the Gulf’s marine health, along with existing marine reserves. This bespoke legislation will be the first of its kind in Aotearoa and is part of the broader Revitalising the Gulf programme. Mō te tūranga | About the role As a Marine Protection Ranger, you will focus on advocacy, compliance, biodiversity monitoring and marine operations. You will have strong boating and skipper skills. You will have a passion and an understanding of the marine environment. You will play a crucial part in protecting marine biodiversity, ensuring compliance with conservation regulations, and maintaining the health of our marine ecosystems. If you have skills in one or more of these areas and a passion for marine protection, we encourage you to apply. The position will be focussed on: Core Skippering Duties Safely operate and skipper vessels up to 12m throughout the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park. (This is the primary function of the role.) Safety & Compliance Management Keep vessels fully compliant: maintaining documentation, managing inspections, and ensuring audit‑ready records. Enforce marine protection laws through advocacy in marine patrols, and public engagement. Support for Marine Science Assist divers with scientific surveys and ecological fieldwork when needed. Community & Partner Engagement Work closely with Treaty partners, local communities, and marine users to support sustainable marine practices. Incident & Emergency Response Respond to environmental incidents, support emergency operations, and assist with compliance investigations. Reporting & Documentation Maintain accurate operational records, write high‑quality reports, and issue infringements or prosecution files when required. These roles require travel, so flexibility is essential to work away from home for several days when needed. Role operates between Wednesday to Sunday year-round. Click here for the Role Description Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience Key interpersonal skills we’re looking for include: Effective communication: Able to effectively convey complex regulations and policies around marine reserve operations, including operating radio effectively Cultural awareness and ethical decision making: Sensitivity to diverse backgrounds and traditions to foster respect and cooperation. Adaptability: Ability to handle changing environments and weather while maintaining safety and clear communication. Willingness to work weekends and public holidays. Excellent paperwork skills: Ability to write complex compliance reports and effectively relay information Problem solving & situational awareness: Quick, safe resolution of issues and awareness of surroundings to prevent accidents and mitigate risks. Leadership: Decision-making under pressure to ensure crew safety and smooth team operations. Key Technical Skills & Experience: Skipper Licence: Must hold an SRL endorsed to operate vessels up to 12m. Real-World Experience: Must have commercially skippered vessels at least 12m in open ocean conditions. Supported by past experience. Safety & Compliance: Experienced in keeping vessels compliant, managing safety standards, maintaining documentation, and preparing for audits. Regulatory Work: Experience in marine compliance and advocacy. Fitness: Physically fit and medically certified for maritime operations. Navigation Skills: Strong competency with navigation, GPS, charts, and emergency procedures. Mechanical Basics: Can troubleshoot and carry out minor engine repairs. Legal Knowledge: Understands NZ maritime laws and compliance requirements. Record Keeping: Skilled at maintaining accurate logs and compliance records. Vessel Handling: Confident with steering, docking, and manoeuvring in all conditions. Environmental Awareness: Knowledge of marine ecosystems and responsible boating. Risk Management: Able to assess and manage marine hazards. Driver Licence: Holds a full New Zealand driver licence. Desirable Skills: A solid understanding of the Hauraki gulf particularly the Coromandel region Law Enforcement or compliance experience Tertiary Qualification in marine science, environmental science, or related field. Experience working alongside scientific divers, and/or diving experience Commitment to marine sustainability and Te Papa Atawhai’s Kaupapa, with understanding of Māori Tikanga and Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Please make special note of the following: this is a fulltime, fixed term opportunity through to April 2027 based in Whitianga. Operating days: Wednesday to Sunday year-round If you’re ready to take on this exciting challenge and contribute to the revitalisation of the Hauraki Gulf, we want to hear from you! Join us in making a difference for our marine environment and the communities and species that depend on it. He aha ngā pāinga mōu? | What’s in it for you? DOC places importance on developing a culture where everyone can participate, thrive, and grow. We’re working towards being an organisation that is diverse, equitable and inclusive by default. You can learn more about what we offer here. Tonoa inaiānei | Apply now Apply online with a CV and cover letter that highlights your relevant skills, experience and 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 require any accommodations or adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know. The salary range for this position is $68,878 to $87,265 with the starting salary of the successful applicant being based on 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. Rā whakakapi | Applications close at 11.59pm Tuesday 24 March 2026 Depending on the volume of applications received, we may close this advertisement early, so please submit your application as soon as possible. Me he pātai anō, whakapā mai | For further enquiries, please contact Molly Hicks, Principal Ranger Marine, mhicks@doc.govt.nz Please note that we have replaced our previous recruitment system with Workday, you will need to create a new Candidate Home account when applying for new roles. The Department of Conservation is a great place to work for anyone who is passionate about nature and the environment. Our people are responsible for caring for our land, water and native species. Spread throughout the country, they ensure that nature can thrive. They perform a huge range of tasks in roles from technical specialists to support staff and frontline rangers. Read more about Our role: About us

Responsibilities

The Ranger will focus on advocacy, compliance monitoring, biodiversity monitoring, and marine operations, with the primary function being the safe operation and skippering of vessels up to 12m throughout the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park. Duties also include enforcing marine protection laws, supporting scientific surveys, engaging with the community, responding to incidents, and maintaining detailed operational records.