Ranger | Tūtei (Fixed Term) at Department of Conservation, Otago

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Help protect iconic tōroa/ northern royal albatross during a critical breeding season
• Fixed term opportunity, November 2026 - March 2027 (Tuesday - Saturday Roster)
• Salary Range: $62,192 - $67,446, depending on skills and experience
• Dunedin Based

Make a real impact for nature through wildlife monitoring, species management and conservation partnerships on the Otago Peninsula


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


Mō te tūranga | About the role
This is an exciting opportunity for someone experienced in wildlife monitoring, breeding season management and bird handling to join our talented team and carry out critical natural heritage conservation work.

The main focus of this role is to deliver the tōroa /northern royal albatross work programme. You will be part of a small team carrying out day-to-day monitoring, management and husbandry of tōroa during their busy breeding season at Pukekura Taiaroa Head. This work is in partnership with Te Poari a Pukekura, the co-management board consisting of representatives from Korako Karetai whānau, Te Rūnaka o Ōtākou, Dunedin City Council and Te Papa Atawhai, working towards the goals in the Pukekura Reserves Management Plan. The role works closely with Otago Peninsula Trust and staff at the Royal Albatross Centre.

Pukekura (Taiaroa Head) Reserves Management Plan

You will be expected to be part of and promote a culture where health and safety is integral to successfully achieving the work. You will be required to organise materials and equipment for programmed work, lead or work with other team members and supervise volunteers.

Your ecological experience and skills in natural heritage work will be required together with a strong team ethic. The team at Pukekura Taiaroa Head is highly collegial, despite the fact that staff mostly work on different days and some tasks involve working alone. The role also includes animal pest and weed control, responding to call outs involving protected species and marine mammals and supporting the wider Coastal Otago District work programmes.

The toroa/northern royal albatross work programme operates seven days a week. Your core hours are 40 hours a week, Tuesday to Saturday (eight hours each day). Flexibility is required as factors such as the weather can change the priorities of the work. At critical times of the toroa breeding season (December - March) there is a requirement to work on Public Holidays and during the toroa hatching period (three weeks in January - February) the team operates a roster to cover 12 hours each day. While you will work no more than 40 hours per week, there is a requirement to vary your start and finish days and times during the hatching period only. These days and times will be agreed on a pre-arranged roster with the rest of the team.

Click here for the Role Description


Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience
In order to deliver this role we require an experienced, knowledgeable and reliable team player, who is hard-working and enthusiastic and will contribute successfully to the Coastal Otago Operations team. Some of the specific skills and experience required include:

• Experience working with and building successful relationships with iwi, whānau and hapū as well as community groups, local council, organisations and individuals to grow conservation
• Specialist knowledge and experience in the practical management of terrestrial species and ecosystems, including animal husbandry skills (artificial egg incubation, animal handling, chick health checks etc)
• Strong health and safety focus
• Ability to work successfully as part of a small team but also comfortable working alone
• Proficiency in the MS Office suite of programmes, data management and reporting
• Sound knowledge and experience in conservation field delivery work, predator, pest and weed control
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to tailor your approach to suit different audiences
• A valid New Zealand driver's licence

Desirable:

• A natural heritage or conservation management tertiary qualification
• Experience with technology such as GIS and GPS
• Growsafe certificate
• First aid certification

Mō te tīma | About the team
The Coastal Otago Operations Team is based in Ōtepoti/Dunedin and forms part of the Southern South Island Region. It consists of 25 permanent staff and is led by the Operations Manager. Prioritising and scheduling work is co-ordinated by three Principal Rangers. The Operations team leads conservation in the District by working with others to protect biodiversity, enhance recreational opportunities and grow community involvement in conservation. A key focus of ours is to strengthen our working relationship with Ngāi Tahu and give better effect to our Treaty partner responsibilities. As a part of this team, and working closely with Rūnanga, community groups and volunteers, there are many opportunities to contribute widely across the District's work programme.

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: $62,192 - $67,446, 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 Tuesday 27th October

Me he pātai anō, whakapā mai | For further enquiries, please contact Jim Watts, Principal Ranger at jwatts@doc.govt.nz or 027 567 4661