Ranger Project Lead

Lead conservation work on a small island with a community of approximately 35 people.
- Take advantage of a range of development and training opportunities across the organisation.
- Four weeks + three days annual leave per year pro-rata, flexible working options.
- Fixed term until March 2026, Chatham Islands 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

He angitūtanga | About the role
This is an amazing opportunity for an enthusiastic person (or an enthusiastic couple for those that wish to job share) that would like to live on an island and contribute towards one of most isolated conservation projects on a populated island in New Zealand. Pitt Island is 770 km east of New Zealand's South Island and 12km southeast of Chatham Island. The rangers report to the Rēkohu/Wharekauri/Chatham Islands District Office.
The role is varied and covers the different components of departmental work (recreation, historic, biodiversity and community engagement). You will need to be a self-motivated person that can operate well both in an isolated environment and as part of a team.
Day to day the role includes a mix of office-based duties and field work. Practical field work can include maintenance of the Caravan Bush predator fence, monitoring of Chatham Island Oystercatchers and Chatham petrels, fencing, feral cat trapping and general maintenance of DOC assets on the island. This role may also be required to support work on the offshore islands or Main Chatham from time to time and emergency response such as marine mammal stranding and fire. The role will also lead any capital investment projects and be the liaison between DOC and the community for the term of the Jobs for Nature Project - Pitt Island Habitat Restoration.
Successful implementation of your work programme will depend upon your ability to establish and sustain strong relationships with external and internal stakeholders. You will work in true partnership with stakeholders and the small community.

**The position will be focussed on**:

- wildlife monitoring
- animal and plant pest control programmes including biosecurity
- maintenance of stock and predator proof fences
- island infrastructure and recreational/historic facility management and maintenance
- management of contractors
- being the key contact for stakeholders involved, or wanting to become involved in conservation on Pitt Island
- working with local landowners to achieve conservation outcomes on private land
- working with treaty partners to be an honourable treaty partner and achieve shared conservation outcomes
- depending on the successful applicant's skills and interests, there may also be opportunities to be involved in potential projects on Pitt Island, including reintroduction of black robins and eradication of feral cats.

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience
This appointment requires an individual with excellent interpersonal skills and a natural ability to form enduring relationships. You will be comfortable working in partnership with a broad range of internal staff, local community, imi/iwi and external visitors. You will be a practical person with a wide range of skills who can forward think and make do as getting supplies to the island can be difficult at times.
We are looking for a responsible and reliable team player who is willing to work flexibly to get the job done.
- A self-starter who is responsible for all aspects of the work programme.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Confidence managing endangered species and pest control programmes.
- A reasonable level of physical fitness.
- Experience living and working in isolated locations.
- Contractor management experience.
- Ability to adhere to strict Health, Safety and Wellbeing systems.
- A practical background in general infrastructure maintenance.
- Proficient in the use of a wide variety of computer software programmes for example Microsoft programmes -Word, Excel and Outlook.

**Required**:

- A tertiary qualification or equivalent experience in science or natural heritage management.
- Full New Zealand Driver Licence.
- LUV Certificate.

Mō te tīma | About the team
The Rēkohu/Wharekauri/Chatham Islands District Office is based in Te One and employs 15 permanent staff and a number of fixed term, casual and volunteers who come and go throughout the tear. Given that 30% of New Zealand's threatened species are found on the Chathams, the team has a focus on a broad range of biodiversity programmes managing threatened bird and plant species and increasing habitat through restoration and revegetation.
The work of the District has a large biodiversity focus
- monitoring, managing and protecting threatened species, as well as maintaining our recreation and historic assets. We have a wide range of skills in the office and good support from the Biodiversity Technical Advice team. We prov