• Want to work with unique and endangered taonga species and explore the backcountry on the edge of Te Wahipounamu UNESCO World Heritage Area
• Work with a dynamic team in some of New Zealand’s vast and unique landscapes
• Salary ranges from $58,816 - $66,578 depending on skills and experience
• Permanent, fulltime position | based in Haast in our South Westland Operations team.

NGA PUKENGA ME NGA WHEAKO | SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

As our Kaitiaki Ranger you will have a passion for conservation and not be afraid to get into the backcountry and work alongside our biodiversity team to complete scheduled work programmes.

If you have some of following, we are keen to hear from you:

• Practical experience in the backcountry and rugged terrain as well as a high level of fitness
• Strong navigation skills (map reading/GPS skills)
• Experience in handling and monitoring birds, including behavioural observations preferred.
• Ability to live and work in a small community, spending time away in remote field locations
• Excellent verbal and written communication
• Trapping experience, trap network maintenance, review and reporting preferred.
• Knowledge and experience in animal pest control methodologies
• Data collection, allocation and reporting. GIS mapping knowledge would be an advantage. Attention to detail to ensure accurate data reporting.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• A team player with strong relationship skills in working with others. Ability to live and work in a small community, spending time away in remote locations.
• Dependable to work alone and with a small team
• Strong health and safety focus as well as a high level of physical fitness
• Current full drivers licence

Desirable:

• Kiwi Handling accreditations
• A relevant tertiary qualification, or equivalent experience in wildlife management or conservation
• Data analysis and report writing skills
• Experience handling and monitoring native birds’ species
• Current First Aid Certificate

Joining the Haast/Awarua operations team will require you to be flexible and adaptable as you will be exposed to different workstreams offering you the ability to learn and grow from other teams.

As a Kaitiaki, Ranger you will be joining our dedicated team in Haast/Awarua, carrying out critical conservation work programmes throughout the South Westland district. Your mahi will require you to mainly work in the Haast Tokoeka Sanctuary. The sanctuary is a 12,000-hectare area, home to the Haast tokoeka kiwi, one of our rarest kiwi. The Haast tokoeka adaptive management programme has been running since the early 2000’s, involving research, monitoring, and management. The programme includes intensive pest control, in-situ recruitment monitoring and Operation Nest Egg with the long-term goal of restoring Haast tokoeka within their historic range.
This role is also diverse where you will be assigned a mixture of duties either out in the field or in the office completing project work set out from your supervisor.
You will spend time in the backcountry monitoring taonga species, having oversight in the trapping efforts within the Sanctuary, reporting, organising and collecting data and working well within a tight knit team. Your role will primarily work alongside our stakeholders including contractors, volunteers and iwi partners to deliver on the monitoring of kiwi and other taonga species. In addition, you may support other biodiversity programmes within South Westland, including mohua protection in the Landsborough valley, lizards, rowi kiwi, kea, long tailed bats, bittern, marine and wildlife response
At times you may be required to stay away overnight in back country huts and camping and work outside normal hours. You may also assist the biodiversity team and the wider district with other duties.
Shared accommodation is available to rent in a newly built 2-bedroom unit - Haast Township
Click here to get more of an idea of the area and our team.