Ranger Heritage and Visitors – Department of Conservation – Aoraki Mt Cook

• Are you passionate about managing our huts, tracks and heritage assets for all to enjoy?
• How would you like to live and work in one of Aotearoa’s stunning National Parks?
• Permanent, full-time role based in Aoraki/Mount Cook.

Te Oranga o te Ao Tūroa  | Our vision: Nature is thriving in Aotearoa

The Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai (DOC) serves to protect and restore nature across Aotearoa. When nature thrives, we all thrive.

He angitūtanga | About the role

How would you like to live and work in one of our stunning National Parks in Aotearoa? Enjoy breath-taking scenery and protect a number of important heritage sites in the district. Te Papa Atawhai DOC has an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated and experienced individual to join their close-knit and small Heritage and Visitors team based in the beautiful Aoraki Mount Cook National Park.

In this role, your day-to-day work will be primarily field based where you will be involved in:

• leading the maintenance and preservation of Historic and Visitor sites, structures and equipment
• participating in the Health and Safety culture of the field team through JSA and Toolboxes, along with input into Safety Plans
• being involved in Regional Heritage and Visitor work on demand
• leading in the field to implement the monthly work plan and contributing to the plans effectiveness through input in the BlueWorx system and EAM
• maintaining conservation campsites, picnic and car park areas, toilets and water supplies
• maintaining back country tracks and huts
• constructing and maintaining tracks and structures to standard
• operating and overseeing the use and maintenance of chainsaws, scrub-bars, backpack sprayers, diggers, and other minor earthwork machinery (Training given, though experience and qualifications, especially with chainsaws a must)
• coordinating office work including data entry, planning and organising field trips
• flying in and the loading of helicopters (in house training modules provided)
• utilizing and maintaining the NL Workshop
• ensuring conservation law compliance.

The role may involve living and working in the backcountry for up to a week at a time with access often via helicopter, boat or foot. While the normal hours will be Monday to Friday 8 am to 5 pm, you will be required to work weekends and some public holidays, you will also be required at times to work across the Region and the greater South Island as Operational support. Rental accommodation may be available for the successful applicant.

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

We are looking for someone who has a positive, ‘can do’ attitude, and be a total team player. You will enjoy working in the outdoors and making a hands-on difference in the landscape of our back and front country facilities. You will have practical field skills and be fit and strong enough to undertake a physical job and enjoy working in the field.

In addition to the above, if you have the following attributes, we would love to hear from you:

• A love of the outdoors and a strong practical approach to problems.
• Sound communication skills, oral and written.
• A full New Zealand driver licence class 1.
• Chainsaw competency and experience at the minimum level of NZQA 17766.
• Proven building and construction skills.
• Computer and technology savvy.

Desirable:

• A current Outdoor first aid certificate.
• A class 2 New Zealand driver license.
• Can Lead, plan and implement backcountry field operations.
• Tracks and rollers licence, experience with tractors, diggers, etc.
• Licenced building practitioner.
• Dangerous goods endorsement.
• NZQA Rural or Urban firefighting experience.
• experience working with and supporting community Conservation Groups.
• Conservation Law Compliance experience.

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou | 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.

Tono ināianei | Apply now
Apply online with a CV and cover letter that highlights your relevant skills, experience and motivation for applying for this role. 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.

The salary range for this position is $60,314 to $75,603 with the starting salary of the successful applicant being based on their relevant skills and experience.

If you require any accommodations or adjustments throughout the recruitment process, please do let us know.

Eligibility to work in New Zealand is mandatory – this includes holding a valid work visa that covers the whole period of employment.

Rā katinga | Applications close at 11:59 pm on Friday, 21 March 2025

Me he pātai anō | For further enquiries, contact Sally Jones, Operations Manager, at sajones@doc.govt.nz

Taupānga | Job reference: DOC/1846734