Community Liaison Officer

Your opportunity to contribute to conservation outcomes, focused on statutory processing for the District, collaborate with iwi and external groups on conservation projects.
- Take advantage of a range of development and training opportunities across the organisation.
- Four weeks + three days annual leave per year, flexible working options.
- Permanent full time, Whanganui location.

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

The Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai (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 bring your statutory skills to look after some of Aotearoa's stunningly scenic heritage sites, including the Whanganui National Park?
Join a highly motivated community-based team that aspires to lead and advocate for conservation in the beautiful Whanganui District, connecting people to the whenua and creatures that live here. We are looking for a Community Liaison to focus on the statutory elements of community work, including the maintenance and development of relationships with members of the community. Collaboration is essential, partnering with key stakeholders to achieve conservation outcomes, including the historic Te Awa Tupua Legislation in recognition of the special relationship between the Whanganui River and Whanganui iwi.
As a Community Liaison Officer (Ranger Community) you will be responsible for connecting with people and looking after our relationships at place. You will join the Regional Operations team to work alongside our Treaty partners and communities to achieve great outcomes for conservation.

**In the role, you will**:

- Monitor Commercial and private activity on Public Conservation Land.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Support whānau, hapū and iwi in their role as kaitiaki of te taiao.
- Work with community groups to scope work projects on conservation land.
- Operate within a statutory framework involving following process and procedure, to analyse and distribute information and find mutually beneficial solutions.
- Promote the value of local, regional, and national conservation initiatives.
- Identify and execute opportunities to achieve conservation outcomes whilst working with iwi, businesses and the wider community.

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience
Along with a positive, enthusiastic personality, we need an individual who is a proven team player, well-organised and great at relationships, communication and problem solving. You will be versatile and resilient, able to tackle a variety of work.

**We are keen to hear from you if you have**:

- Experience working within a statutory framework, or similar process-based, analytical environment.
- Excellent communication skills, presenting information clearly and concisely both written and verbally.
- Experience creating effective and enduring relationships.
- Solid IT skills, comfortable using database systems.
- Proven problem-solving, critical-thinking and analysis skills, ability to provide mutually-beneficial outcomes.
- A collaborative, team player work style.

**Desirable**:

- Comfortable working with whānau, hapū and iwi.
- A good understanding of te ao Māori me ngā tikanga.
- Experience planning and executing medium complexity projects.
- Experience and/or tertiary qualification in: communications, legal, legislation.

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 includes:

- Flexible working opportunities suited to your role
- Career development, secondment and training opportunities to help you realise your goals
- Study assistance in programmes that are relevant to your work
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) and discounted medical insurance
- Great discounts on DOC accommodation and outdoor apparel and gear so you're ready for your next adventure
- Te Pukenga Atawhai - Cultural Capability Development Programme

Check these out in more detail via Why work at DOC?

Mō te tīma | About the team
The Regional Operations Group is responsible for delivering conservation work on the ground through our biodiversity, re