Radio Engineer at Department of Conservation | Te Papa Atawhai

Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

20 May, 26

Salary

119500.0

Posted On

19 Feb, 26

Experience

5 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Radio Network Maintenance, VHF, HF, Digital Radio, Satellite Tech, Troubleshooting, Radio Licensing, Spectrum Knowledge, Problem-Solving, Telecoms Engineering

Industry

Government Administration

Description

Keep DOC’s nationwide radio network alive and kicking. Salary range between $82,852 - $119,500 depending on skills and experience. Permanent role, location flexible. 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. Mō te tūranga | About the role Somewhere right now, a DOC ranger is standing on a remote mountain track wondering if their radio works. Spoiler: it will — but only if you join us. We're looking for a Radio Engineer who can keep DOC's nationwide radio network humming. This isn't your average desk job. Our radio network is the lifeline that connects rangers fighting wildfires, coordinating 1080 drops with helicopter pilots, tracking pests, and keeping people safe in some of New Zealand's most beautiful (and unforgiving) places. You'll be the person who makes sure that when a ranger presses the button, the message gets through. No pressure. (Okay, maybe a little pressure.) What you'll actually do; Maintain, build and improve DOC's radio systems across Aotearoa. Wrangle VHF, HF, digital radio and satellite tech like a pro. Troubleshoot issues (remotely and in the field — yes, that means helicopter rides are on the table). Be the go-to expert when things go wobbly on the airwaves. Help our rangers talk to each other so they can focus on doing the cool conservation stuff. Click here for the Role Description Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience What you will bring; 5+ years working in radio or telecoms at a technical level. A Telecomms/Engineering qualification (or equivalent experience). Solid knowledge of VHF, HF, digital radio and satellite tech. An understanding of radio licensing and spectrum — because someone has to! A genuine love of problem-solving (especially when the problem is on a mountain). Mō te tīma | About the team We're not just an IT team. We're IT for the people protecting kiwi, kākāpō, and kauri. When your radio network works, conservation works. That's a pretty good reason to get out of bed in the morning. 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 We are relaxed about where you are based. Ready to get on the air? 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, 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 $82,852 - $119,500 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. Please note, we are engaging with recruitment agencies for this role. Rā whakakapi | Applications close at 11:59 pm on Thursday, 05 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 Aaron Evans at aaron.evans@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 role involves maintaining, building, and improving the Department of Conservation's nationwide radio systems, ensuring connectivity for rangers engaged in critical field operations like wildfire fighting and pest control. The engineer will act as the primary expert for resolving issues across VHF, HF, digital radio, and satellite technologies, both remotely and in the field.