Operations Advisor (Kākāpō/Takahē team) | Kaitohu Whakahaere at Department of Conservation, Southland

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives and enable excellence
• Permanent Role | $80,054 - $101,142 | Murihiku Invercargill or Te Anau based
• Help drive species recovery and protect Aotearoa's rarest taonga

Support operations for kākāpō and takahē recovery programmes in Southland-two of New Zealand's most iconic and intensively managed species.


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
Reporting to the Operations Manager, the Operations Advisor will lead the team's annual work planning and reporting, generate insights, manage issues, and ensure disciplined operations - all to drive continuous improvement and support the successful delivery of the district's conservation goals. Your work will focus on outcomes that contribute to managing the kākāpō and takahē species based in Southland.

The position will be focussed on:

• leading the team's operating environment, overseeing assurance, issue management, and spearheading business improvement initiatives to elevate performance and governance
• overseeing planning, reporting and budget management for the team
• creating the quarterly and annual business plans for the team
• producing reporting and insights to identify gaps and areas for improvement and efficiencies
• Working collaboratively with internal stakeholders across DOC to achieve desired outcomes

Click here for the Role Description


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

• A background in operating principles and processes to effectively plan and monitor work programmes - experience or interest in species recovery planning would be advantageous
• Ability to identify and articulate existing and potential risks and their broader impacts
• High attentional to detail, and analytical mindset to generate meaningful insights that inform operational delivery
• Tech-savvy and an early adopter of new systems and technologies
• Proficient in Microsoft Office suite, with advanced skills in Excel and other reporting tools
• Critical thinker with strong problem-solving skills and a focus on continuous improvement
• A skilled collaborator and clear communicator, able to facilitate productive meetings, build strong relationships, and weave diverse perspectives into effective, well supported decisions
• Solutions focussed and consistently act with integrity to deliver meaningful results
• Highly adaptable, with the ability to step into urgent or critical work when required to support smooth, effective operations
• Understands the Māori-Crown relationship in relation to DOC

Our Values
At The Department of Conservation, everyone's journey is unique. Every purpose, personal. That's why we believe your career should be more than a role' it should be a path that reflects who you are, what you value, and the difference you want to make.

Here, you'll find more than a workplace. You'll find a team united and guided by values that matter:

• Integrity, because trust and honesty are non-negotiable
• Empowerment, because when we lift each other, we all rise higher
• Connection, because collaboration sparks progress
• Achievement, because results mean more when they create real impact

This is a place where nature thrives because people do.

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.

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 $80,054 - $101,142 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.

Rā whakakapi | Applications close at 11:59 pm on Monday 20th April, with interviews expected to be conducted in the first week of May.

Me he pātai anō, whakapā mai | For further enquiries, please contact Leeza Young, Senior Recruitment Advisor, leeyoung@doc.govt.nz