Ranger, Heritage and Visitors at Department of Conservation, Fox Glacier

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Do you love working in the outdoors?
• Do you want a great job looking after popular tourist sites like Lake Matheson, Fox Glacier and the Copland Track?
• Full time, permanent role based in Fox Glacier, with departmental accommodation options available.

Toitū te marae a Tāne-Mahuta, toitū te marae a Tangaroa, toitū te tangata 

If the land is well and the sea is well, the people will thrive 

Te Papa Atawhai, Department of Conservation (DOC) serves to protect and sustain nature across Aotearoa. We put nature and people at the heart of our mahi, guided by te reo Māori, te ao Māori and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

He angitūtanga | About the role

As a Ranger, you will be part of the South Westland Heritage and Visitor team who are dedicated to looking after popular tourist sites and undertaking hut and track maintenance as well as protection and restoration of historic sites. In this role, you will be involved in:

• scrub-cutting, chainsawing, drain clearing and spraying tracks in the back country and front country
• maintaining back country huts, bridges and other structures
• participating in team safety briefings and taking responsibility for your safety and the safety of your teammates every day
• construction and building work, as well as looking after historic buildings and sites.

While this position is mostly field-based with a focus on the Copland Valley and managing Welcome Flat Volunteer hut wardens, you will also be required to complete office-based tasks assisting the supervisor and senior ranger with planning and organising of projects. You may be required to spend extended periods of time in the backcountry, often in remote and rugged terrain. You will often support the team in the field and provide supervision of volunteers and contractors as required. 

The South Westland area encompasses some 800,000 ha of Public Conservation Land. A significant proportion of this is Te Wāhipounamu South West New Zealand World Heritage Area and includes such gems as Ōkārito (Three Mile, Wharf Shed and Trig Walk), Gillespies Beach, Copland Track/Welcome Flat Hut, and the icon sites of Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers – Lake Matheson and Ship Creek.

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

We are looking for a confident communicator and great team player who has a passion for protecting the natural heritage of Aotearoa. If you have the following attributes, please do get in touch:

• hands on and practical skills, ideally with chainsaws, mowers and scrub bars as well as carpentry, plumbing and painting experience
• a high level of physical fitness and experience in the backcountry, particularly in remote and rugged terrain
• good planning and organisational skills, with an ability to maintain attention to detail and use your initiative to get jobs done
• ability to learn quickly, computer/tech savvy with experience using apps and computer-based systems
• strong health and safety focus
• a full New Zealand driver licence
• ability to live and work in a small remote community
• outstanding interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to work as a team member, a team leader, and alone.

Desirable:

• experience with 4WDs and working around helicopters.

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou | What's in it for you?

Te Papa Atawhai is committed to fostering a diverse workforce that represents the communities we serve, creating an inclusive workplace culture, supporting the relationship between Māori and the Crown, and lifting our cultural capability. We encourage our people to bring their authentic self and unique perspectives to work, in pursuit of our collective aspirations. Our commitment to well-being and professional development includes:

• career development, secondment and training opportunities to help you realise your goals
• study assistance in programmes that are relevant to your work
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) and discounted medical insurance
• great discounts on DOC accommodation and outdoor apparel and gear so you're ready for your next adventure
• Te Pukenga Atawhai – Cultural Capability Development Programme.

Tono ināianei | Apply now 

Apply online via the DOC Careers Centre with a CV and cover letter that highlights your relevant skills experience and motivation for joining Te Papa Atawhai. 

The salary range for this position is $54,314 to $69,401 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. 

Applications close at 5 pm on Tuesday, 31 January 2023 

For further enquiries, contact:

• Ian Singleton, Senior Ranger, 027 544 0885, isingleton@doc.govt.nz
• Marie Kealey, Recruitment Advisor, mkealey@doc.govt.nz

Job reference: DOC/1691238