Ranger, Biodiversity

Are you passionate about protecting Te Taiao, working with rare native species and partnering with whānau, hapū, iwi and others to achieve conservation outcomes?
- Take advantage of a range of development and training opportunities across the organisation
- Permanent, full-time role, based in Nelson Lakes, St Arnaud

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

He angitūtanga | About the role
How would you like to live and work in one of Aotearoa's stunning National Parks? Enjoy breath-taking scenery and get up close and personal with some of our rarest native species.
Te Papa Atawhai DOC has an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated and experienced individual to join us as a Ranger within our close-knit Biodiversity team based in the beautiful Nelson Lakes National Park. You will be supporting the growth of significant conservation opportunities, and the delivery of Biodiversity engagement work plans, in the Nelson Lakes District alongside our Treaty partners.
Your core focus will be leading or supporting current and future pest control operations with a scientific focus, providing innovative biodiversity research and information that is applied across the country. The role includes a good mix of office and field work and partakes in a rotational weekend roster.

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience
You will be keen to deliver on our conservation goals. Your strong communication skills, both verbal and written, and ability to think strategically and act operationally will be important to support the work of our district. You'll be physically fit and comfortable traversing mountainous terrain. Your experience with engaging with mana whenua or demonstrated willingness to learn and engage will be the key to your success in this role. If you have the following attributes, we are keen to hear from you:

- Have proven skills and experience in biodiversity management in particular, animal and plant pest management
- Outstanding planning and organisational skills, with experience leading complex projects
- Attention to detail, delivery within budget and timeframes, reporting and commitment to achieving team objectives are a must
- A practical working knowledge of plant pests /general plant identification skills
- Experience with on the ground plant and animal pest control, in particular the use of herbicides, toxins, trapping
- Experience in the practical management and monitoring of species and ecosystems
- Previous experience working both solo and as part of a team in sometimes rugged and remote terrain
- High level of physical fitness is required and skills and confidence to work off track in dense forest
- The ability to work in true partnership with others across DOC, with local whānau, hapū and iwi, and external stakeholders
- A strong focus on continuous improvement and the ability to enhance organisational performance
- Full New Zealand Drivers Licence
- Excellent communication, proven experience in leadership roles, contract management skills and the ability to manage work priorities
- A strong commitment to exceptional health and safety work practices and able to promote this culture among colleagues
- Capacity and the personal circumstances to allow overnight stays is a must for the successful applicant

**Desirable**:

- Qualification in either Conservation, Ecology or Biology desirable but not essential
- Operational planning for animal pest operations training
- Current first aid certificate
- Proven high level experience with Microsoft Office suite, GIS and other systems
- Cultural competency and/or experience with working with mana whenua is desirable
- Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of Tikanga Māori and Te Ao Māori is an advantage
- Experience with bird handling and monitoring
- Boat skipper training and experience

Mō te tīma | About the team

**To find out more, check out our newsletter Birdsong**: news from Nelson Lakes and see attached applicant information sheet.

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou | 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 incl