Ranger Project Lead, Search and Rescue at Department of Conservation, Aoraki Mt Cook

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Unique opportunity to join a high performing search and rescue team
• Seeking an exceptional leader for our Search and Rescue team in Aoraki/Mt Cook
• Full time permanent role with flexible ways of working

 

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

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

 

At Te Papa Atawhai, Department of Conservation we express our spirit of service and serve Aotearoa through our purpose, Papatūānuku Thrives. Our organisational strategy, Te Kaupapa a Te Papa Atawhai, puts nature and people at the heart of everything we do. It is anchored by te reo Māori and te ao Māori, recognising that Te Tiriti o Waitangi and our whānau, hapū and iwi are central to all our mahi. 

 

He angitūtanga | About the Role

This role supports the Supervisor for the Department of Conservation Aoraki Mount Cook Alpine Rescue Team. The team is responsible for delivery of key functions: provision of search and rescue response work, training, and programme maintenance and development.

In addition, this role encompasses the management and delivery of nationally significant work for Te Papa Atawhai as a subject matter expert in health and safety and aviation practices and facilitation of central government initiatives in the search and rescue sector.

The successful applicant will be required to live in Aoraki / Mount Cook and participate in the seasonal standby and duty officer roster.

This is a unique role and work environment which requires a high level of physical and mental fitness. An ongoing interest in developing industry best practices, mentoring of staff and alpinism are key qualities for the successful applicant 

To ensure currency and competency in the alpine environment all staff are required to meet minimum standards in alpine climbing and skiing to satisfy the health and safety requirements of the AMCART program.

 

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

Essential Skills:

• Rock / ice climbing, mountaineering and alpine skiing competency to a high skill level with demonstrated experience and currency in both summer and winter disciplines
• Attestation of skills based on verification of current climbing and skiing log book
• Capable of climbing minimum Aoraki/Mount Cook seriousness grade III
• Capable of climbing rock grade 16 minimum on traditional protection.
• Expert alpine skier in steep, glaciated terrain
• New Zealand Certificate in Avalanche Risk Management (Level 5) OR recognised overseas equivalent (A3 Pro 1, CAA Operations 1 or similar)
• PHEC (Pre-Hospital Emergency Care) Medical qualification (or equivalent)
• Current full driving licence
• Computer literate using Microsoft products including Word and Excel

 

Specialist skills and experience within one or more of the following areas:

• Search and rescue or emergency management
• Ability to supervise a professional operational avalanche program
• Visitor risk information delivery and management
• Visitor hazard management systems
• Aviation expertise specifically regarding Search and Rescue applications

 

Desirable qualifications:

• Suitable guiding and/or instructional qualifications – NZMGA Hard Ice / Alpine Trekking / Ski Guide / Climbing Guide / IFMGA, NZOIA Alpine 2 or recognized overseas equivalent 
• Co-ordinated Incident Management System (CIMS) 4 qualification
• New Zealand Certificate in Avalanche Risk Management (Level 6) OR recognized overseas equivalent (A3 Pro 2, CAA Operations 2 or similar)– or able to be completed in an agreed period
• Advanced first aid/medical qualification, e.g. EMT (or equivalent)
• Advanced risk management / avalanche terrain mapping / emergency management skills or qualifications

 

Mō te tīma | About the team 

He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata

What is the most important thing in the world?  It is people, it is people, it is people.

Our team lives and works in the presence of Aoraki, son of Raki - the sky father, and Pokoharua-Te-Pō – the mother of storms. Aoraki / Mt Cook Village is a small community, in a privileged location in the heart of Aotearoa's outdoors. As a team, we often form strong friendships and spend much of our time together: socializing, recreating, and working. The team experiences its highs and lows together, treating quiet periods as times of opportunity. We support each other through hardship and celebrate each individual success as belonging to us all. We are a team of passionate and hardworking individuals, dedicated to making a difference through service to others. We strive for constant improvement, learn from our differences, and are focused on solutions not problems. We are grateful, so that we might learn to be great.

 

Mō mātou | About us 

Te Papa Atawhai is committed to fostering a diverse workforce that represents the communities we serve, and to creating an inclusive workplace culture. Our Te Kaupapa behaviours of whakatīnanatia (we deliver), atawhaitia a Papatūānuku (we love nature), whakawhānaungatanga (we build relationships) and whakaauaha (we innovate) guide what we need to do for Papatūānuku to Thrive.  

 

Ko ngā hua | What we offer 

We take pride in enabling our kaimahi to bring their unique perspectives to mahi, in pursuit of our collective aspirations. Our commitment to well-being and professional development includes:  

• Flexible working options where applicable 
• Te Pukenga Atawhai – Cultural Capability Development Programme 
• Active employee networks, Te Kāwai Aho Tapu - Māori Kaimahi Network, Rainbow Network 

 

Tono ināianei | Apply now!

 Submit a tailored CV and cover letter highlighting your relevant skills, experience, and alignment to our Kaupapa. 

 The salary range for this position is $61,916 to $79,115 with the starting salary of the successful applicant being based on their relevant skills and experience 

 

Rā katinga | Applications close at 5 pm on Sunday, 22 May 2022. 

Me he pātai anō | For further enquiries, contact George Loomes, at gloomes@doc.govt.nz

Taupānga| Job Reference: 400/08541

 

COVID-19 Vaccination requirement – From 4 May 2022 our Vaccination Policy, requiring all employees to be vaccinated, has been suspended but may be reinstated in the future if the COVID-19 situation changes. Positions that are identified as high risk will still have a requirement for appointees to be vaccinated. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination prior to commencing for these positions will be required and applicants will be notified during the recruitment process if this condition will apply.