Ranger Community
About this role
Your opportunity to help grow conservation in Central Otago by building meaningful partnerships with iwi, community groups, volunteers, businesses and local stakeholders to achieve positive outcomes for nature.
Work alongside communities to inspire, support and grow conservation initiatives across the district.
The salary range for this position is $65,590 to $76,589.
Permanent, full-time role based in our Wānaka or Alexandra office
Our vision: Nature is thriving in Aotearoa | Te Oranga o te Ao Tūroa
Mō te tūranga | About the role
As Ranger Community, you'll play a key role in connecting people with conservation. Working with iwi, volunteers, community groups, businesses, councils and conservation partners, you'll help grow community participation in conservation and support projects that create lasting benefits for nature across Central Otago.
You'll be a trusted relationship builder who can identify opportunities, bring people together and support others to contribute to conservation outcomes.
Alongside community engagement and partnership work, you'll also contribute to statutory processes that support the effective management of public conservation land.
The role will focus on:
building and maintaining strong relationships with iwi, community groups, volunteers, businesses, councils and conservation partners
supporting and coordinating community-led conservation projects and initiatives
identifying opportunities to grow conservation through partnerships and collaboration
providing administrative, liaison and advocacy support to projects that achieve more conservation through the involvement of iwi, business and the wider community
engaging with local communities to promote conservation and encourage participation
monitoring commercial and private activity on public conservation land, including maintaining accurate and up-to-date database information
providing high-quality input into Resource Management Act planning processes
providing field support for statutory land management functions
Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience
You'll be passionate about conservation and enjoy working with a diverse range of people to achieve shared goals. With strong relationship-building skills and a collaborative approach, you'll be comfortable engaging with community groups, iwi, volunteers and other stakeholders to support positive conservation outcomes.
If you have the following attributes, we are keen to hear from you:
highly organised with excellent communication and relationship-building skills
proactive thinker with the ability to prioritise work and make sound decisions
experience managing multiple workstreams and competing priorities
passion for conservation and enabling others to contribute to conservation outcomes
ability to work collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders
full New Zealand driver licence
happy getting out of the office to engage with stakeholders, attend meetings and undertake site visits
Desirable
knowledge of the Central Otago area
experience working with and partnering with iwi, community groups, local authorities, businesses or conservation organisations
experience coordinating community projects, partnerships or volunteer programmes
understanding of statutory or regulatory processes, including Resource Management Act processes and public conservation land management.
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 need any adjustments during the recruitment process, let us know and we’ll try to accommodate.
Salary: $65,590 to $76,589, depending on skills and experience.
Eligibility: You must hold a valid NZ work visa that covers the duration of employment.
Please note, we are not engaging with recruitment agencies for this role.
Rā whakakapi | Applications close at 11:59 pm on Monday 24 August 2026.
Me he pātai anō, whakapā mai | For further enquiries, please contact Andrew Watt at awatt@doc.govt.nz
Company at a glance
The Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai is a great place to work for anyone who is passionate about nature and the environment. As the government agency charged with conserving Aotearoa New Zealand’s natural and historic heritage, we are responsible for caring for the land, water and our native species.
We have team members spread throughout the country who work hard to ensure that Papatūānuku can thrive. They perform a huge range of tasks, from specialists undertaking ground-breaking projects through to support staff who enable our mahi; and rangers operating at the forefront of conservation.
The work we do impacts the people of Aotearoa New Zealand and our many visitors and will have continued and far-reaching effects for generations to come. Our commitment to being an honourable Treaty Partner and collaboration with local iwi, community groups and businesses is critical to setting the foundations for future conservation success.
We support flexible working, and a transparent and collaborative culture, as well as career development and training opportunities. If you are interested in joining a team of people who love what they do, find out more about a career with the Department of Conservation.
Tired of cold applications?
Sign up with Clera and we'll reach out the moment a role actually fits you — no more spraying applications into the void.
Know someone who'd be great for this?