Ranger Biodiversity Monitoring – Department of Conservation – Ōpōtiki

• Support our kaupapa of protecting the natural integrity of Māori land and preserving mātauranga Māori
• Support the delivery of mahi on whenua Māori, freshwater and native bush environments
• Salary ranges from $65,070 to $75,981 depending on skills and experience
• Permanent, full-time role starting February 2026 | based in Ōpōtiki

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 an exceptional kaimahi to deliver biodiversity monitoring work within our NWR Central & North Regions but maybe required to help in the NWR East Coast Region & NWR Southwest Regions at times. You will provide specialist skills and experience for the operational delivery of biodiversity monitoring on whenua Māori with a Ngā Whenua Rāhui formal protection agreement, working on Māori privately owned lands.

The position will be focussed on:

• Collect biodiversity monitoring data from a wide range of sites and projects.
• Reporting on data collection.
• Forward planning and organising all resources required for field trips, including safety plans and approvals.
• Developing and maintaining all required training capabilities and competencies for this role.
• Provide office-based advice when requested.

You will be part of a national team and may have responsibilities that extend beyond the location where you reside.  Put simply, this is a specialist technical monitoring role that involves a large proportion of time in the field across many different sites.

This is a permanent full-time position that will require some work away from home for up to 10 days at a time and assist teams across Aotearoa.

Click here for the Role Description

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

Our team encourages applications from those who understand our kaupapa and mahi and can demonstrate the diverse range of skills needed, including:

• Physically fit and capable of working and operating in the backcountry
• Data management, reporting and writing skills
• Collaborate, communicate and engage with landowners, whānau, hapū, and iwi within our Ōpōtiki rohe
• Understands and appreciates the values for tikanga and kawa and is willing to work within Te Ao Māori & Western Science
• Understands the importance of wellbeing, health and safety
• Team player – supports others, great communicator, shows initiative, takes responsibility
• A range of biodiversity monitoring experience
• Current full New Zealand Drivers Licence
• Computer skills with confidence in Excel and Word

Specialist skills:

• Experience in 20 x 20 plot measurement,
• Plant identification
• Bird identification, preferably 5-minute bird counts
• Animal pest monitoring, preferably ungulate pellet counts and possum monitoring,
• Ability to interpret GIS information and use data loggers/GPS units,
• A tertiary qualification or equivalent experience and achievements in science or natural heritage management are desirable,
• Have a strong understanding and appreciation for the values of tikanga and kawa when working with Māori landowners, Whānau/Hapū.

To understand who you are and why you are interested in this mahi with Ngā Whenua Rāhui, it is important that you include a cover letter and cv with your application. These will form part of our assessment process.

Mō te tīma | About the team

Ngā Whenua Rāhui serves to encourage the voluntary protection of indigenous biodiversity on Māori owned land with special emphasis to recognise the cultural and spiritual values of those lands, while recognising the rights guaranteed to Māori Landowners under Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

To learn more about Ngā Whenua Rāhui, visit Ngā Whenua Rāhui

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 $65,070 to $75,981 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.

“Interviews are expected to take place towards the end of November or early December, with an anticipated start date in February 2026.”

Rā whakakapi | Applications close at 11:59 pm on Monday 17th November 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 Reina Tai, Team Lead Regional Operations at rtai@doc.govt.nz