Ranger at Department of Conservation | Te Papa Atawhai

Hamilton City, Gisborne, New Zealand -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

20 May, 26

Salary

66911.0

Posted On

19 Feb, 26

Experience

0 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Track Maintenance, Hut Maintenance, Construction, Chainsaw Operation, Ecosystem Management, Community Engagement, Predator Control, Weed Control, Machinery Operation, Communication Skills, Māori Culture Understanding, Physical Fitness, Attention To Detail, Teamwork, Health And Safety, Driving License

Industry

Government Administration

Description

Are you an energetic and enthusiastic outdoor professional? Do you care deeply about protecting Aotearoa New Zealand’s unique flora and fauna? Salary ranges from $60,703 to $66,911 depending on skills and experience Permanent, full-time position, based in the Te Rapa office in Kirikiriroa Hamilton 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 We are looking for a motivated and capable individual to join our Waikato District team, based in Hamilton. Located in the heart of the Waikato Basin, Hamilton offers an outstanding lifestyle with easy access to rivers, forests, coastlines, and a wide variety of outdoor recreation opportunities. You will become part of the Heritage and Visitor team, a group dedicated to managing and maintaining an extensive range of recreational assets across the Waikato District. This role focuses on the ongoing servicing, maintenance, and improvement of visitor and heritage infrastructure, while contributing to broader conservation outcomes. The position will be focussed on: Inspecting and maintaining tracks, huts, bridges, stairways, campsites, and ablution facilities Undertaking small-scale construction and building repairs Operating chainsaws, scrub-bars, backpack sprayers, diggers, and other light earthmoving equipment (training provided) Supporting the Biodiversity team with practical ecosystem management work Engaging positively with visitors, volunteers, community groups, iwi, hapū, whānau, and conservation partners Click here for the Role Description Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience We are seeking a responsible, reliable, and values-driven team player who enjoys practical outdoor work and brings a strong commitment to conservation and community. If you have some of following, we are keen to hear from you: Experience or knowledge in field-based delivery work Predator, trapping and weed control experience. Experience and/or qualifications operating small machinery (i.e., weed eaters, lawnmowers, chainsaws). Strong communication skills and an interest in gaining insight into departmental day-to-day operations Understanding of and respect for tikanga Māori, with knowledge of Te Reo Māori Deep respect for Te Ao Māori and a genuine passion for working alongside whānau, hapū, and iwi Passion for Te Taiao | the natural environment Professional attitude and strong commitment to conservation values Willingness to undertake practical field work Good level of physical fitness and ability to carry out physically demanding tasks High attention to detail Ability to work effectively within a team, take direction, and work independently when required Strong commitment to health and safety protocols in field environments Experience working alongside community groups, volunteers, iwi, whānau, and hapū Digitally confident, with the ability to quickly learn new systems Full, current New Zealand driver licence Desirable: Growsafe, Controlled Substance Licence, First Aid certificate Light Utility Vehicle (LUV) Unit Standards. Familiarity with chainsaws, 4WD vehicles, and first aid Experience in monitoring and handling native species GIS and navigation experience Experience in carpentry and facilities maintenance If you bring a practical mindset, a “can-do” attitude, and a genuine commitment to conservation and community, we would welcome your application. We are passionate about developing our people and will provide qualification training for specialised skills where required. 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. 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 11:59 pm on Thursday 5th 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 Lunt, Principal Ranger West Coast and Forests at alunt@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

This role focuses on the ongoing servicing, maintenance, and improvement of visitor and heritage infrastructure, including inspecting and maintaining tracks, huts, and campsites, alongside undertaking small-scale construction and repairs. The position also requires operating light earthmoving equipment and supporting the Biodiversity team with practical ecosystem management work.