Join a team dedicated to conservation and improving our unique biodiversity!
Salary Range: $65,590 to $76,589 depending on skills and experience
Permanent, full-time position | Based in Thames from the Hauraki District Office.
Lead conservation efforts across Hauraki, delivering lasting biodiversity outcomes.
Our vision: Nature is thriving in Aotearoa | Te Oranga o te Ao Tūroa
Mō te tūranga | About the role
Are you passionate about protecting the unique ecosystems and species of Aotearoa? Do you enjoy managing and leading projects, mentoring others, and working alongside iwi, communities, and stakeholders to achieve meaningful conservation outcomes?
As Ranger Biodiversity, you will play a critical role in planning, managing, coordinating, and delivering biodiversity programmes that protect indigenous species and ecosystems. You will be focused on managing, developing and delivering conservation projects, supporting the development of team capability, mentoring and team leadership. You will help ensure conservation work is delivered safely, effectively, and in line with legislative and departmental requirements.
Working closely with colleagues, iwi partners, community groups, and stakeholders, you'll contribute to achieving positive conservation outcomes while supporting DOC's commitments under Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
While the role includes some field engagement and collaboration with partners, it will be predominantly office-based, with a strong focus on project management, planning, coordination, stakeholder engagement, and programme delivery.
The position will be focussed on:
Managing/leading conversation projects and work programs related to Animal threats, Compliance/permissions, wetland management
On going personal development to build capability.
Supporting team capacity to deliver priorities and annual work plans.
Applying biodiversity expertise across monitoring, species management, restoration, and conservation planning.
Ensuring work complies with legislative and departmental requirements.
Leading animal pest control operations, including planning, delivery, monitoring, and reporting.
Building strong partnerships with iwi to support shared conservation outcomes.
Collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to deliver conservation projects across the district.
Click here for the Role Description
Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience
You will be an experienced conservation professional with strong technical knowledge and a proven ability to develop, manage and complete projects. You enjoy developing others, building relationships, and finding practical solutions to conservation challenges.
If you have some of following, we are keen to hear from you:
Experience delivering biodiversity programmes and conservation projects.
Proven experience in project management and delivery
Knowledge of relevant legislation, compliance requirements, permissions framework and departmental operational procedures.
Knowledge of species management, habitat restoration, and animal pest control operations.
Strong communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work effectively with iwi, stakeholders, communities, and colleagues.
Demonstrated leadership skills, including mentoring and developing others.
Strong planning, organisational, and problem-solving abilities, with the ability to prioritise tasks and work independently in challenging environments.
A strong commitment to health, safety, and wellbeing, with a track record of applying safe work practices in operational settings.
Good digital literacy and the ability to quickly learn and use new systems and technology.
An understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and a commitment to working in partnership with iwi.
Knowledge of relevant legislation, compliance requirements, and departmental operational procedures.
A current full New Zealand Driver Licence.
Desirable:
Experience in predator control operations.
Experience in compliance and permissions framework
Current First Aid Certificate.
Relevant operational qualifications and experience, including four-wheel drive, and Light Utility Vehicle (LUV) operation.
Experience managing and leading complexed projects.
About the team:
When you join us, you're stepping into a small but supportive and collaborative team that values its people and actively encourages personal development and growth.
The Hauraki operational team is led by the Operations Manager and includes the Heritage and Visitors, Biodiversity, and Community teams. We pride ourselves on a positive team culture, working together across functions to achieve shared conservation goals and support one another in delivering important work.
This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a welcoming team making a tangible difference for New Zealand's biodiversity and natural heritage.
He aha ngā pāinga mōu? | What’s in it for you?
DOC is committed to a culture where everyone can participate, thrive, and grow. We’re driven by our values and behaviours, and are working towards being an organisation that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive by default.
Want to know more?
Tonoa inaiānei | Apply now
Apply online with your CV and cover letter outlining your relevant experience and motivation. We’re unable to accept emailed applications or provide feedback to applicants not shortlisted.
If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process, let us know and we’ll try to accommodate.
Salary: $65,590 to $76,589, depending on skills and experience.
Eligibility: You must hold a valid NZ work visa that covers the duration of employment.
Please note, we are not engaging with recruitment agencies for this role.
Rā whakakapi | Applications close at 11:59 pm on Friday 18th September 2026. This advert may close early, so please apply promptly
Me he pātai anō, whakapā mai | For further enquiries, please contact Peter Hall, Principal Ranger Biodiversity at [email protected]
Skills Required
- Experience delivering biodiversity programmes and conservation projects
- Proven experience in project management and delivery
- Knowledge of relevant legislation, compliance requirements, permissions frameworks, and departmental operational procedures
- Knowledge of species management, habitat restoration, and animal pest control operations
- Strong communication and relationship-building skills with iwi, stakeholders, communities, and colleagues
- Demonstrated leadership skills, including mentoring and developing others
- Strong planning, organisational, and problem-solving abilities
- Commitment to health, safety, and wellbeing, with experience applying safe work practices
- Good digital literacy and ability to learn new systems and technology
- Understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and commitment to working in partnership with iwi
- Current full New Zealand Driver Licence
- Experience in predator control operations
- Experience with compliance and permissions frameworks
- Current First Aid Certificate
- Relevant operational qualifications and experience, including four-wheel-drive and Light Utility Vehicle operation
- Experience managing and leading complex projects
What We Do
The New Zealand Department of Conservation (DOC) is a government agency responsible for conserving Aotearoa New Zealand’s natural and historic heritage. It protects and restores nature, leads biodiversity efforts, manages conservation lands and resources, and enables others to contribute to conservation outcomes. DOC also administers relevant conservation legislation and supports the stewardship of land, water, wildlife, and historic places across New Zealand.
