Supervisor Biodiversity Monitoring – Department of Conservation – Hokitika

• Are you a natural organiser who loves working with others and coordinating teams and large work programmes?
• Looking for an interesting new challenge that offers the chance to contribute to conservation and the protection of New Zealand’s unique natural environment?
• Full-time, permanent role based in Hokitika

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.

He angitūtanga | About the role

The Monitoring Operations Team is looking for an exceptional new Supervisor to lead the delivery of monitoring work. You will supervise and manage a large team of approximately 15 field staff, predominantly undertaking tracking tunnel work from South Westland all the way up to Kahurangi National Park and into Lewis and Arthur’s Passes.

You will be one of currently six Supervisors nationwide and will be required to work closely with your colleagues to coordinate the delivery of field operations across the country. As part of a national team, you may also have responsibilities that extend beyond the location where you reside. The role is highly supported, with another biodiversity monitoring supervisor onsite, an experienced returning team, and heaps of wrap-around support planned throughout the season.

The position will be focussed on:

• planning and organising work programmes
• supporting staff and undertaking Monthly Operating Reviews (MORs)
• managing field trips logistics
• leading recruitment and induction of new team members
• collaborating with other teams in DOC, as our work supports conservation programmes across the organisation
• working as an honourable treaty partner to promote Māori engagement and involvement with our work.

This is a full-time, permanent role based in Hokitika. The role is largely office-based, but there will be opportunities to undertake backcountry fieldwork.

Click here for the Role Description

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

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

• Great communication skills, intuitive emotional intelligence
• The ability to get on with people, as well as supervise and lead a team, with Health and Safety as a priority
• Excellent planning and organisation skills, attention to detail
• Ability to respond and adapt to changing circumstances when organising field programmes
• Good level of physical fitness and backcountry skills
• A range of monitoring experience and / or leadership experience
• Be prepared to spend time away from home
• Be prepared to be available after hours to manage field operations
• Computer skills with confidence in Excel and Word
• Full NZ Driver’s Licence
• Understanding or willingness to learn Māori tikanga and understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and how it relates to your work
• Work in genuine partnership with Māori and act as an honourable treaty partner

Being a genuine Treaty partner means:

• Putting Treaty relationships first in the way we work
• Showing respect in every partnership
• Growing our Treaty knowledge and Te Ao Māori capability

Specialist skills and experience within a few of the following areas is desirable:

• Bird identification, preferably 5-minute bird counts
• Animal pest monitoring, preferably ungulate pellet counts, possum chewcards and SMI tracking tunnels
• Plant identification, preferably experience in 20×20 plots
• Data management and reporting skills
• Contract and/or project management skills
• Experience in managing and leading large field programmes.
• A tertiary qualification in science or natural heritage management.

Tono ināianei | Apply now
Apply online with a CV and cover letter that highlights your relevant skills, experience and motivation for joining Te Papa Atawhai. Your experience may come from mahi on the marae, with your iwi or hapū, through connections, community or volunteer work, or other roles. We value the wide range of skills, strengths and knowledge that people bring, no matter where they were gained. 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 throughout the recruitment process, please do let us know.

The salary range for this position is $80,054 to $101,142 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.

Rā katinga | Applications close at 11:59 pm on Tuesday, 17 March 2026

Me he pātai anō | For further enquiries, contact Joel Lauterbach, Monitoring Operations Manager, at jlauterbach@doc.govt.nz