Ranger/Project Lead Biodiversity (Fixed term)

Ranger/Project Lead Biodiversity (Fixed term)

• Are you a critical thinker with a broad range of experience planning and delivering conservation programmes?
• Run world class conservation programmes alongside a motivated and high-performing team!
• This is a 16-month fulltime (40 hours per week), fixed-term or secondment opportunity based in Te Anau.
• We anticipate the start date for this role will be mid-March 2025, going through until the end of June 2026.

Our vision: Nature is thriving in Aotearoa | Te Oranga o te Ao Tūroa Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai (DOC) serves to protect and restore nature spaces and species across Aotearoa. As a Project Lead you will manage budgets, complete work programme set up and delivery, and be involved in bigger picture planning with Senior Rangers. Our current Project Leads enjoy the autonomy to manage their own programmes, in collaboration with Senior Rangers and Supervisors. As a Project Lead, your work will be focused on:

• A mixture of project management and hands-on fieldwork
• Contract management including the planning, delivery and reporting of operational projects
• Contributing to the long-term planning and strategic thinking of biodiversity conservation in Fiordland

You may be responsible for:

• Implementing aspects of the Fiordland Islands Biosecurity Programme to keep our islands predator free
• Leading the planning and delivery of a large-scale aerial predator control operation in Fiordland (training provided if necessary)

If you have the following attributes, we are keen to hear from you:

• Critical thinker with the ability to plan and deliver complex conservation programmes.
• A broad range of biodiversity field experience.
• Great initiative and self-drive.
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship building skills, with the ability to lead and deliver projects successfully in collaboration with groups inside and outside of DOC.
• Skill in working with experts to understand technical advice and applying and communicating technical information clearly.
• Competent working in the bush (navigation, GPS use, experience travelling off-track).
• A tertiary qualification – or equivalent experience – in conservation, ecology or biology.
• Experience in logistics, leading trip briefings, teams in the field and trip debriefs.
• Current Full Driver's License.
• Experience planning and delivering pest control operations to protect threatened species.
• Understanding of pest-free island fieldwork and/or management.

Mō te tīma | About the team We are a team of motivated and high performing biodiversity Rangers who enjoy each other's company. We have a collaborative work environment with seventeen permanent staff and up to ten fixed-term staff. A large portion of our fieldwork is delivered by external contractors. We're proud to have a culture of flexible working, including adapting our hours and location of work. People in our team regularly enjoy social activities including potlucks, tramping/hunting/fishing trips and games nights. 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. Depending on the volume of applications received, we may close this advertisement early, please submit your application as soon as possible. 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. If you require any accommodations or adjustments throughout the recruitment process, please do let us know. The salary range for this position is $68,535 to $86,423 with the starting salary based on 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. Me he pātai anō | For further enquiries , please feel free to contact Elicia Milne, Supervisor, on emilne@doc.govt.nz #J-18808-Ljbffr