Senior Ranger, Community at Department of Conservation, Dunedin

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Are you a strategic thinker who can prioritise work and develop the team's thinking towards long term outcomes?
• Would you like to grow conservation through great relationships and empowering others?
• Does furthering the aspirations of mana whenua excite you?
• Permanent, full-time position based in Dunedin

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. We do this by:

• Protecting land, species, ecosystems, and cultural heritage for conservation purposes 
• Managing threats and adverse impacts 
• Being a voice for conservation 
• Connecting people to nature 

Join the Te Papa Atawhai/Department of Conservation's (DOC) Coastal Otago team as their Senior Ranger, Community where you will work across the district – from the Mata-Au/Clutha River in the south, inland to Beaumont and north to the Waitaki River.

He angitūtanga | About the role

As the Senior Ranger, Community you will be part of a high performing District Leadership Team who are upbeat, motivated, and passionate about working together and collaborating with others to achieve greater conservation outcomes for the Southern South Island Region.

You will provide advice to the Operations Manager on how the district work program should reflect DOC priorities. You will also:

• Work closely with the two other Senior Rangers to provide an integrated district work plan to deliver on the Treaty Partnership, national and regional plans, and most effectively address community and statutory land management work priorities
• Support the Operations Manager by leading the delivery of high-priority complex tasks
• Delegated thinking for the Operations Manager to ensure long term success in a changing environment
• Take a leadership role in maintaining and building upon relationships with the community, business, community groups, volunteers, iwi / hapū / whānau, and forging new relationships to catapult forward the community's connection with nature and grow conservation outcomes
• Manage public messaging in line with national strategies and local priorities for the Visitor Centre including, visual displays, online, electronic, and printed collateral and support Visitor Centre outreach opportunities
• Capture, scope, prioritise, develop specifications, and regularly review all Community work and statutory requirements for the District Operations team
• Collate information for responses to media enquiries, Official Information Act requests and compilation of Ministerial responses
• Work with your regional colleagues to ensure integrated delivery of highest priority outcomes for the region
• Follow treaty principles to align the work of the team with mana whenua aspirations

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

You will be an energetic and positive individual who enjoys working in a team and prides themselves on their outstanding communication skills. With your enquiring mind and interest in conservation you will be able to recognise new opportunities, ideas and trends and explore these to grow conservation engagement. 

To be successful in this position you will also have:

• Experience working with mana whenua
• Proven ability working with key stakeholders to achieve shared outcomes
• Experience in statutory processes, including concessions and RMA advocacy
• Excellent relationship skills and a proven ability to operate collaboratively
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong organisational and coordination skills and experience
• Skills in coaching, training, and supporting staff and the acquisition of technical knowledge
• A high level of computer literacy

You will be a strategic thinker who can connect DOC's goals, the vision, and local strategies to the delivery of conservation outcomes within our Region. Above all, your genuine passion for conservation and your alignment to our purpose Papatūānuku Thrives will round off your profile.

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:

• Flexible working opportunities suited to your role
• 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 $73,336 to $93,708 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 5pm on Tuesday, 7 February 2023

For further enquiries contact Debbie Fahey, Senior Recruitment Advisor, at dfahey@doc.govt.nz or 027 286 2746

Job reference: DOC/1692180