Website Department of Conservation
- Are you passionate about conservation and community? Do you thrive on building relationships and inspiring others to protect our natural heritage?
- The salary range for this position is $68,878 to $87,265.
- Full-time, 2-year fixed-term or secondment opportunity – based in Franz Josef.
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
Based in Franz Josef Waiau, you will be part of a dynamic team working across South Westland. You will be the visible champion and strategic leader for community engagement in the Predator Free South Westland (PFSW) initiative. This is a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact in one of Aotearoa’s most spectacular landscapes – uniting community, business, farming, tourism, iwi, and youth in a shared commitment to keeping South Westland predator free, now and for generations to come.
“We are a connected community who champion flourishing ecosystems and inspire a future where both our people and biodiversity thrive.”
You will lead the design and delivery of innovative, inclusive engagement strategies that foster enduring support for PFSW, ensuring the project is not just a conservation programme, but a movement owned and celebrated by the whole community. Your mahi will be pivotal to the long-term success of eliminating possums, rats, and stoats from over 100,000 hectares between the Whataroa and Waiau (Wahio) rivers, from the Southern Alps Kā Tiritiri o te Moana to the Tasman Sea Te Tai-o-Rēhua.
The key responsibilities of the role include –
- Strategic Community Engagement: Lead and facilitate the development and implementation of long-term, multi-tiered engagement strategies that inspire and empower locals, businesses, farmers, tourism operators, iwi, and youth to champion a predator free future.
- Partnership Building: Build and nurture strong, enduring partnerships with iwi, stakeholders, community groups, schools, businesses, and external organisations to embed predator free values and actions across South Westland.
- Community Coordination: Establish and support working groups, hui, and regular engagement forums, ensuring all voices are heard and valued. Continue the important mahi initiated at previous community workshops and hui (including the Four Kete benefits – environmental, social, cultural, and economic).
- Youth Leadership & Education: Inspire and empower rangatahi to take up leadership roles in conservation, integrating mātauranga Māori and Te Ao Māori perspectives into education and engagement programmes.
- Storytelling & Advocacy: Develop and share compelling stories of success, challenge, and progress through diverse media and community channels, amplifying the project’s impact and visibility.
- Monitoring & Reporting: Monitor, evaluate, and report on community engagement outcomes, risks, and opportunities, adapting strategies as needed for long-term success.
- National Strategic Alignment & Advocacy: Champion the alignment of PFSW with the national Predator Free 2050 (PF2050) goal, ensuring the project’s strategic importance and achievements are recognised both locally and nationally. Collaborate with the DOC communications and engagement team to position PFSW as a leading national example of strategic investment and innovation for PF2050, sharing learnings and success stories to inspire and inform similar initiatives across Aotearoa.
- Support Operations: Work closely with the PFSW programme lead position, the Predator Free South Westland ZIP team, the Operations Manager and wider team, in support of the operational delivery of predator control and ensuring community engagement aligns with project goals.
Click here for the Role Description.
Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience
We are looking for:
- A natural communicator and relationship builder, able to inspire and unite diverse groups around a shared vision
- Proven experience in community engagement, conservation, project leadership, or related fields
- A passion for protecting Aotearoa
- An ability to juggle tasks whilst maintaining attention to detail
- Proficiency with MS programmes and comfort in navigating systems and processes
- An understanding of the importance of a good health and safety culture
- A valid driving licence
- A current first aid certificate is desirable
Mō te tīma | About the team
You will be joining a positive and enthusiastic team delivering conservation outcomes in South Westland with over thirty permanent staff spread across three locations – Fox Glacier, Franz Josef and Haast. Click here to get more of an idea of the area and our team.
Shared DOC accommodation is available if required.
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.
We support flexible work arrangements for our kamahi who are working in a wide variety of roles and locations across Aotearoa. Flexible options will be considered based on your role and in discussion with your leader.
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 based on their relevant skills and experience.
You are encouraged to discuss secondment opportunities with your manager. Secondments should offer the opportunity to build capability in line with your development plan. You must seek the support of your line manager (minimum Tier 4) in writing before applying for a secondment opportunity and attach it to your application.
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 Monday, 6 October.
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 Chris Monson at cmonson@doc.govt.nz
