Ranger (Fixed-Term) at Department of Conservation | Te Papa Atawhai

Kaikōura, Canterbury, New Zealand -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

12 Apr, 26

Salary

66911.0

Posted On

12 Jan, 26

Experience

0 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Weed Control Experience, High Level Of Fitness, Backcountry Skills, GPS Use, Teamwork, Growsafe Certificate, Full New Zealand Driver’s License, Threatened Species Monitoring, Light Utility Vehicles Experience, 4WD Vehicles Experience, Chainsaw Certification, Kayak Experience, Pack-Raft Experience

Industry

Government Administration

Description

Live and work where the mountains meet the sea in one of Aotearoa’s most iconic coastal towns Work in remote, rugged backcountry with high biodiversity values Hands-on weed control work across the iconic Waiau Toa / Clarence River catchment The salary range for this position is $60,703 to $66,911 12-month, fixed-term role until early 2027 based in Kaikōura 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 An exciting opportunity has become available for a Ranger to join the Kaikōura DOC team on a 12-month, fixed-term basis. In this role, you will play a key part in delivering weed control across the Waiau Toa / Clarence River catchment. Stretching more than 200 km through rugged backcountry—from near Lake Tennyson, through high-country stations such as Molesworth and Muzzle—the catchment is recognised for its high biodiversity values and popularity for recreation. Weed control in this area is delivered through a collaborative approach involving DOC, regional councils, other government agencies, iwi, community groups, and private landowners. A recently updated weed control strategy provides clear direction to support effective, coordinated delivery across the catchment. You will also deliver weed control activities on the Kaikōura Peninsula, an iconic visitor site located close to the Kaikōura township, helping to protect its natural and scenic values. In addition, there will be opportunities to contribute to other elements of the Kaikōura biodiversity work programme, including threatened plant monitoring and management. Click here for the Role Description Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience If you have the following, we are keen to hear from you: Weed control experience and familiar with best practices High level of fitness and physical health Backcountry skills and experience including GPS use Ability to work in a tightknit team Growsafe certificate Full New Zealand driver’s license In addition to this, desirable skills and experience include: Threatened species monitoring and management Experience and qualifications in working with Light Utility Vehicles (LUV) and 4WD vehicles Chainsaw certification Kayak or pack-raft experience Mō te tīma | About the team The Kaikōura field base forms part of the wider South Marlborough District DOC team. The Kaikōura team consists of seven permanent staff working across Heritage and Visitor, Biodiversity, Community and National Teams. The Kaikōura team is supported by additional staff based in Renwick. 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. We support flexible work arrangements for our kamahi who are working in a wide variety of roles and locations across Aotearoa. Flexible options will be considered based on your role and in discussion with your leader. 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 $60,703 to $66,911 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 11:59 pm on Monday 26 January 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 Pat Crowe, Principal Ranger Mixed, pcrowe@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 deliver weed control across the Waiau Toa / Clarence River catchment and on the Kaikōura Peninsula. The role involves collaboration with various stakeholders to protect and restore nature.