Ranger Project Lead Community (Statutory) at Department of Conservation, Nelson - Marlborough

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Lead meaningful statutory and community work that protects Aotearoa's unique conservation values
• Work in partnership with iwi, communities, and key stakeholders
• Be part of a supportive, high-performing regional statutory and community team
• Permanent, full-time role based in Waitohi Picton
• The salary range for this position is $68,878 to $87,265

Our vision: Nature is thriving in Aotearoa | Te Oranga o te Ao Tūroa
The Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai (DOC) serves to protect and restore nature across Aotearoa. When nature thrives, we all thrive.
Ko tā Te Papa Atawhai he tiaki, he whakarauora anō hoki i te taiao puta noa i Aotearoa. He oranga taiao, he oranga tangata.

Mō te tūranga | About the role
As a Ranger / Project Lead Community (Statutory), you will apply your expertise in statutory processes, relationship management, and community engagement to lead and deliver high-quality statutory work and support strategic community initiatives to achieve meaningful conservation outcomes.

You'll be part of a motivated and collaborative regional team, working on a range of complex statutory processes and applications. This role involves interpreting and applying legislation and statutory planning documents, assessing applications, and providing robust, well-reasoned advice to managers and decision-makers.

While this role has a strong focus on DOC's statutory responsibilities under conservation legislation you will also support the region's community engagement work. You will manage or support relationships with applicants, concessionaires and Treaty partners, and with community conservation groups and organisations. This will also require you to work collaboratively with District teams across the region and with colleagues in national teams.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading and delivering meaningful statutory and community work programmes Assessing Permission applications and providing high-quality statutory advice
• Contributing to Resource Management Act processes to protect conservation values
• Collaborating with DOC colleagues to incorporate technical expertise into statutory advice
• Monitoring activities on public conservation land
• Supporting statutory land management and promoting conservation initiatives
• Mentoring others and supporting capability development
• Building and maintaining strong relationships across DOC and with Treaty partners and other external stakeholders
• Managing concessionaire relationships
• Representing DOC and coordinating cross-agency initiative
• Supporting the region's community engagement work

Click here for the Role Description


Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience
If you have the following skills and experience, we are keen to hear from you:

• Significant experience working in a statutory or regulatory environment, with involvement in community engagement and project delivery
• Strong understanding of, and experience applying, legislation such as the Conservation Act, Wildlife Act, Reserves Act, Resource Management Act, and related statutory frameworks
• Proven ability to interpret legislation, policy, and planning documents and apply them in practice
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills, including experience working with tangata whenua and diverse stakeholders
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, with the ability to distil complex information into clear, concise advice
• High-quality business and public-facing writing skills
• A tertiary qualification (or equivalent experience) in resource or environmental management, or legal studies
• Experience planning and delivering medium-complexity projects
• A proactive, well-organised approach, with the ability to manage competing priorities and tight deadlines
• Good IT capability, including experience using database systems
• Understanding of Te Ao Māori and the Māori-Crown relationship
• Experience with iwi engagement and upholding Treaty Settlement obligations through statutory work
• A current full New Zealand driver licence

If you have the skills, experience, and passion to lead complex statutory work and contribute to positive conservation outcomes, we'd love to hear from you. Even if you don't meet every requirement but feel your experience closely aligns with the role, we encourage you to apply.

He aha ngā pāinga mōu? | What's in it for you?
DOC places importance on developing a culture where everyone can participate, thrive, and grow. We're working towards being an organisation that is diverse, equitable and inclusive by default. You can learn more about what we offer here.

We support flexible work arrangements for our kamahi who are working in a wide variety of roles and locations across Aotearoa. Flexible options will be considered based on your role and in discussion with your leader.

Tonoa inaiānei | Apply now
Apply online with a CV and cover letter that highlights your relevant skills, experience and motivation for joining Te Papa Atawhai. Please note, due to the high volume of applications, we are unable to accept direct or emailed applications and provide feedback to those not shortlisted.

If you require any accommodations or adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.

The salary range for this position is $68,878 to $87,265 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.

Due to high volumes, we are not engaging with recruitment agencies for this role.'

Rā whakakapi | Applications close at 11:00 pm on Sunday 25 January 2026.
Depending on the volume of applications received, we may close this advertisement early, so please submit your application as soon as possible.

Me he pātai anō, whakapā mai | For further enquiries, please contact Jo Gould, Statutory and Community Manager, jgould@doc.govt.nz

.