Ranger (Fixed-Term)

• Mix of front-country and backcountry work, including tracks, huts, campsites, and visitor facilities

• Develop practical conservation skills including asset maintenance, project delivery, and field operations

• Diverse role across heritage and visitor operations with no two days the same

• $62,192–$67,446 depending on skills and experience

• Full-time fixed-term position November – April 2027 based St Arnaud, Nelson Lakes with accommodation options available 
  

Our vision: Nature is thriving in Aotearoa | Te Oranga o te Ao Tūroa

Mō te tūranga | About the role

We are looking for a ranger to work across our Heritage, and Visitor work programme across the Nelson Lakes district. Your day-to-day work will be diverse, offering the opportunity to gain a range of conservation skills across various teams and environments.

The position will be focussed on:

• Managing assigned project work

• Maintaining both back country and front country tracks

• Maintaining and cleaning front/ back country amenities

• Supporting other teams in the region as required

• You will be required to stay away overnight for multiple days in the backcountry

Click here for Role Description

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

You will be versatile and resilient and able to tackle a variety of mahi. If you have the following attributes, we are keen to hear from you:

• a full drivers' licence, ideally with the ability to manoeuvre a trailer

• general maintenance and/or landscaping experience

• experience and NZQA qualifications with use of chainsaws, weed eaters, scrub bars and 4WD

• strong health and safety focus

• good level of physical fitness with backcountry experience

• good people skills with an ability to work as part of a team and independently

• tech savvy skills with the ability to use computer databases and mobile applications

Desirable: 

• Growsafe certified

• a current First Aid certificate

• carpentry, construction or building skills and experience

• Class 2 licence

Even if you don’t tick all the boxes but believe your skills and experience closely align, then we still encourage you to submit an application.

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. 

Want to know more?

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: $62,192–$67,446 depending on skills and experience.

Eligibility: You must hold a valid NZ work visa that covers the duration of employment. 

Rā whakakapi | Applications close at 11:59 pm on Wednesday 7 October 2026

Me he pātai anō, whakapā mai | For further enquiries, please contact Philippa Cox, Principal Ranger, [email protected]