Ranger at Department of Conservation, Christchurch

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Are you skilled in conservation and nursery production?
• Would you like to make a real contribution to climate change by growing plants for the future?
• Full-time, permanent position based at our Motukarara Nursery (Selwyn District)

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 

About the role

Are you someone who is driven to conserve New Zealand's special flora and ecosystems? We are currently looking for a team-player with a can-do attitude to join our team as a Ranger in our Motukarara Nursery.

The nursery at Motukarara plays an important role helping to restore Canterbury's native plant biodiversity and this position will help to build on the nursery's recent success. The successful candidate will be involved in supporting the grower and working collaboratively with admin to achieve plant orders with tasks such as grading and weeding, production record keeping, assisting seed collection, monitoring crops for pests and disease, treating as required, providing day to day supervision of seasonal staff and volunteers as required, and other practical nursery related tasks. As part of the role of Ranger you will also have DOC related tasks such as monthly operational reviews, participation in Health and Safety and relevant DOCLearn programmes, and use of relevant DOC IT systems. 

At the Motukarara Nursery we are committed to enhancing/finding the best practice to grow robust resilient plants that will still be here long after we're gone. If you are a great team member who shows a good work ethic, innovative ideas and have nursery skills then we would love to have you join our team of passionate plant enthusiasts who love the mahi we do and the conservation outcomes achieved through our work.

Skills and experience

If you have the following skills and attributes, we are keen to hear from you:

• Good level of fitness
• Effective communication skills
• A willingness to learn and the ability to stick at repetitive work including pricking out, lawn mowing and hand weeding
• A can-do attitude and is someone who wants to get things done
• Excellent observational skills and attention to detail (an important aspect to the role)
• Native plant identification skills, especially for Canterbury
• General nursery production skills (including pricking out, seed collecting, agrichemical use, collecting orders, nursery maintenance and irrigation)
• An ability to build and sustain collaborative working relationships
• Initiative – develops new, innovative yet practical ideas, rethinking how to approach tasks
• Ability to use IT systems
• A full New Zealand driver licence

 Desirable:

• Growsafe certificate
• Chemical handler's certificate
• Experience in applying agrichemicals
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of Tikanga Māori and Te Ao Māori is an advantage
• Knowledge and skills in the maintenance of systems and irrigation servicing
• Current first aid certificate
• Certificate in Horticulture Level 3 or above

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

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 $51,278 to $60,578 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: 5 pm on Sunday, 2 April 2023

For enquiries contact Jess Ward at jesward@doc.govt.nz

Job reference: 400/08231