Ranger Biodiversity at Department of Conservation, Canterbury

DOC Ranger 'Dotterel Dan' shares what makes the Pukunui Southern NZ dotterel so special

Our vision: Nature is thriving in Aotearoa | Te Oranga o te Ao Tūroa

Mō te tūranga | About the role

As Ranger Biodiversity you will be the Field Team Lead who will lead our dedicated Pukunui Recovery Project (Southern New Zealand Dotterel) field team on Rakiura. The focus for the team is predator control, primarily trapping and laying ground-based toxin to control feral cats in our effort to protect pukunui. With only 160 birds remaining this is a population on the brink of extinction and heavily reliant on predator control to survive.

You will work alone or in teams of two or three in remote locations for up to 10 days at a time, traveling to and from field sites by small boat, helicopter, or on foot.

You will support the Project Lead and Principal Ranger to ensure field work is delivered effectively and efficiently

You will be tasked with supporting a variety of work in other projects in addition to pukunui work depending on shifting priorities across the broader district work programme. From time-to-time work will include supporting hoiho conservation, pest-free island biosecurity, dune restoration, weed control, visitor infrastructure maintenance and other work as tasked.

The position will be focused on:

• Leading the field team and supporting the team to complete health and safety processes
  
• Supporting the Project Lead with logistical planning
  
• Identifying work needs and monitoring their in-field delivery
  
• In-field coaching of staff to ensure best practice is applied
  
• Trapping and humanely dispatching feral cats across the Tin Range and other pukunui breeding sites
  
• Ground-based deployment of 1080 and rodent toxins
  
• Ground-based hunting of white-tailed deer and avian predator species
  
• Monitoring pukunui at flocking sites and breeding sites
  
• Infrastructure and track maintenance
  
• Working in remote locations alone or alongside other team members or volunteers
  
• Monitoring and recording your work progress
  

Click here for the Role Description

Find out more about the predator control programme in this short video

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

If some of following apply to you, we are keen to hear from you:

• Comfortable working in remote areas for up to ten days at a time, both in a team and solo
  
• High physical fitness with proven back-country experience
  
• Familiarity with off-track GPS navigation
  
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work well in a small team
  
• Previous experience supporting your colleagues through on-the-job training
  
• Experience with ground-based predator control using trapping and toxin control
  
• A dedication to health and safety
  
• Accurate and detailed record keeping
  

Desirable:

• A controlled substances licence (CSL) with 1080 endorsement
  
• Boating experience and Boat Master qualification
  
• NZ firearms licence
  
• Ability to drive a manual vehicle
  

Mō te tīma | About the team

As part of the Rakiura Operations team, you will join a tight knit crew who genuinely enjoy working with each other and are passionate about the work they do. For more information about living on Rakiura, check out our information sheet or visit http://www.stewartisland.co.nz.

Please note, private accommodation is limited; if required, we have staff accommodation available in a shared house.

He aha ngā pāinga mōu? | What's in it for you?

DOC is committed to a culture where everyone can'participate, thrive, and grow.'We're'driven by our'values'and behaviours,'and are'working towards being an organisation that is diverse,'equitable, and inclusive by default.'

Tonoa inaiānei | Apply now

Apply online with your CV and cover letter outlining your relevant experience and motivation.'We're'unable to accept emailed applications or provide feedback to applicants'not shortlisted.'

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

The salary range for this position is $65,590 to $76,589 with the starting salary of the successful applicant 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, 14 September 2026.