Ranger Freshwater Pests and Migratory Fish Species at Department of Conservation | Te Papa Atawhai

Invercargill City, Southland, New Zealand -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

23 Feb, 26

Salary

87265.0

Posted On

25 Nov, 25

Experience

2 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Electric Fishing, Freshwater Conservation, Sampling Methods, Monitoring Methods, Stakeholder Engagement, Threatened Fish Conservation, Outdoor Work, Backcountry Experience, Planning Skills, Organizational Skills, MS Office Proficiency, Data Management, Reporting Skills, Communication Skills, GIS, GPS

Industry

Government Administration

Description

Protect freshwater biodiversity in Murihiku Southland: Lead conservation efforts to protect the region’s unique freshwater ecosystems, including threatened galaxias species Collaborate for real conservation outcomes: Work alongside iwi, hapū, local councils, landowners, and community groups to deliver projects that reflect strong Treaty partnerships and make a tangible difference Balance fieldwork and leadership: Combine hands-on freshwater fieldwork with planning, monitoring, and reporting to achieve meaningful environmental results. Permanent, full-time role based in Murihiku Invercargill The salary range for this position is $68,878 to $87,265 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 In this role, you will lead the planning and delivery of vital work to protect Murihiku Southland’s freshwater biodiversity. This includes a strong focus on non-diadromous galaxias species—many of which are threatened with extinction. Invercargill will serve as your base, with your mahi focused on waterways across the wider Murihiku region. Your work will involve planning, delivering, and reporting on freshwater biodiversity programmes, including species surveys, monitoring, and habitat management. You’ll provide expert advice on freshwater conservation within statutory processes such as the Conservation Act and RMA, while actively upholding our Treaty partnership commitments. Collaboration is central to this role. You’ll work closely with Ngāi Tahu, local councils, DOC colleagues, landowners, and community groups to develop and deliver impactful conservation initiatives. Strong communication and planning skills will help you prioritise and manage an annual work programme effectively. Fieldwork is a key part of this position, with travel to remote and often rugged locations. A full New Zealand driver’s licence is required, and multi-day stays in the backcountry may be necessary to complete essential conservation work safely. Click here for the Role Description Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience We are looking for someone with a passion for conservation and the ability to inspire others to engage in conservation projects. If you have some of following, we are keen to hear from you: Experience with electric fishing and freshwater conservation, including sampling and monitoring methods. A full New Zealand driver’s licence. Ability to work in partnership with various stakeholders, the regional council and iwi, hapū and whānau. Understanding of threatened fish conservation in Southland. Competence in outdoor work, with proven experience in remote backcountry environments. Strong planning and organisational skills for both field and office-based work Proficiency in MS Office, data management, and reporting. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to adapt to different audiences. The ability to work both independently and as part of a small team. Experience with GIS, GPS, and other conservation-related technology. 4WD qualification. First aid certification. Knowledge of conservation compliance and relevant National policies (e.g., NPS-FM, RMA, Crown Pastoral Land Act). 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 11:00pm on Tuesday 2 December 2025 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 Sean Jacques, Principal Ranger Biodiversity, sjacques@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

Lead the planning and delivery of work to protect freshwater biodiversity in Murihiku Southland, focusing on threatened galaxias species. Collaborate with iwi, local councils, and community groups to develop and implement impactful conservation initiatives.