Principal Ranger Biodiversity

Combine you passion for people leadership, operations delivery, and conservation.
- This role is unique to Te Anau and will allow you to take the lead on a unique, challenging, and ground-breaking portfolio of work.
- Live, work and make your mark in one of New Zealand's most spectacular pieces of natural wilderness.

Toitū te marae a Tāne, toitū te marae a Tangaroa, toitū te tangata
If the land is well and the sea is well, the people will thrive

At Te Papa Atawhai, Department of Conservation (DOC) we express our spirit of service and serve Aotearoa through our purpose, Papatūānuku Thrives. Our organisational strategy, Te Kaupapa a Te Papa Atawhai, puts nature and people at the heart of everything we do. It is anchored by te reo Māori and te ao Māori, recognising that Te Tiriti o Waitangi and our whānau, hapū and iwi are central to all our mahi.

He angitūtanga | About the role
The Principal Ranger, Biodiversity reports to the Operations Manager and is a key member of the Te Anau Leadership Team with key accountabilities for creating a high-performance culture across the district which values safety, continuous improvement, operational discipline, partnership and collaboration.
The Principal Ranger is responsible for the work programmes of up to 25 staff (including seasonal staff), and additional contractors encompassing significant predator control, ecosystem restoration, species recovery and weed control programmes including large and remote islands and mainland sites with the focus on the effective integrated delivery of high-quality conservation outputs. The role will require and understanding of biodiversity work and conservation and the ability to support and empower the technical experts within your team. This is predominantly an office based role, supporting operational field delivery.
This complex role is responsible for the management of some significant predator management programmes including Save our Iconic Kiwi, Battle for Our Birds, Murchison Mountains (Takahe) within Fiordland National Park The work programme entails management of the teams based in remote field locations. Work programmes also include monitoring and management of endangered species including kaka, kea, kiwi/tokoeka/ pekapeka, tieke, mohua, whio and seabird species as well as a marine mammal programme for Dusky dolphin and humpback whale and a monitoring programme for the Fiordland Marine Reserves.

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience
Te Anau and the Fiordland District is one of the most spectacular thus most complex and challenging with Te Papa Atawhai. This role is ideal for anyone who aspires to take a leadership role within a large district to gain a variety of unique skills and experience.
You will be an experienced people leader who is skilled at inspiring, motivating, and directing teams who will shape a culture that values continuous improvement. You will be disciplined in the management of operational field delivery, have project and contract management experience, as well as be able to manage organisational systems and processes. There is a strong relationship management component to this role, including working alongside whānau, hapū, iwi collaboratively and effectively, as well as the community, businesses, and others.
Te Anau offers a community lifestyle many other places lament having lost while enjoying access to larger centres thanks to the proximity of Queenstown to the north and Invercargill to the south. Big city shopping, airports, and other services are just a two-hour drive away. From kindergarten through to high school, local children are immersed in the environment as part of their education. The community is vibrant with a strong family network, new arts hub, strong sports centre, and community garden. Commuting to work will be a highlight, with biking or walking along the lakefront, with no traffic congestion to speak of.

Mō mātou | About us
Te Papa Atawhai is committed to fostering a diverse workforce that represents the communities we serve, and to creating an inclusive workplace culture. Our Te Kaupapa behaviours of whakatīnanatia (we deliver), atawhaitia a Papatūānuku (we love nature), whakawhānaungatanga (we build relationships) and whakaauaha (we innovate) guide what we need to do for Papatūānuku to Thrive.

Ko ngā hua | What we offer
We take pride in enabling our kaimahi to bring their unique perspectives to mahi, in pursuit of our collective aspirations. Our commitment to well-being and professional development includes:

- Flexible working options where applicable
- Te Pukenga Atawhai - Cultural Capability Development Programme
- Active employee networks, Te Kāwai Aho Tapu - Māori Kaimahi Network, Rainbow Network

Submit a tailored CV and cover letter highlighting your relevant skills, experience, and alignment to our Kaupapa. The salary range for this position is $84,908 to $108,493 with the starting salary of the successful applicant being based o