Operations Advisor – Department of Conservation – Picton

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives and enable excellence.
• Salary: $80,054 – $101,142.
• Permanent, full-time role- based in Picton.

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

The Department of Conservation have recently made some big changes to help our people and operations work better together—so we can achieve the conservation outcomes we’re aiming for.

As part of this, we’ve introduced a new role: Operations Advisor. Reporting to the Operations Manager, this position will be responsible for leading the district’s annual work planning and reporting, generating insights, managing issues, and ensuring disciplined operations — all to drive continuous improvement and secure the successful delivery of the district’s conservation goals.

The position will be focussed on:

• leading the district’s operating environment, overseeing assurance, issue management, and spearheading business improvement initiatives to elevate performance and governance
• overseeing planning, reporting and budget management for the district
• creating the quarterly and annual business plans for the district
• producing reporting and insights to identify gaps and areas for improvement and efficiencies
• Working collaboratively with internal stakeholders across DOC to achieve desired outcomes

Click here for the Role Description

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

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

• A background in operating principles and processes to effectively plan and monitor work programmes
• Ability to identify and articulate existing and potential risks and their broader impacts
• Analytical mindset to generate meaningful insights that inform operational delivery
• Tech-savvy and an early adopter of new systems and technologies
• Proficient in Microsoft Office suite, with advanced skills in Excel and other reporting tools
• Critical thinker with strong problem-solving skills and a focus on continuous improvement
• An excellent collaborator and communicator, skilled at building strong relationships, engaging productively with a wide range of people, and thoughtfully considering diverse perspectives to drive effective outcomes
• Solutions focussed and consistently act with integrity to deliver meaningful results
• Understands the Māori-Crown relationship in relation to DOC

Our Values

At The Department of Conservation, everyone’s journey is unique. Every purpose, personal. That’s why we believe your career should be more than a role… it should be a path that reflects who you are, what you value, and the difference you want to make.

Here, you’ll find more than a workplace. You’ll find a team united and guided by values that matter:

• Integrity, because trust and honesty are non-negotiable
• Empowerment, because when we lift each other, we all rise higher
• Connection, because collaboration sparks progress
• Achievement, because results mean more when they create real impact

This is a place where nature thrives because people do.

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 $80,054 – $101,142 with the starting salary of the successful applicant 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.

Rā whakakapi | Applications close at 11:59 pm on Thursday, 13 November.

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 Dave Hayes, Operations Manager, at dhayes@doc.govt.nz or +64 27 291 9143