Ranger (Fixed-Term) (Seasonal)

• Spend your days outdoors, not behind a desk

• Diverse hands-on work across a variety of visitor sites

• Fixed term, full-time role October – May 2027 based in Queenstown

• The salary range for this position is $62,069 - $67,446 

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

Mō te tūranga | About the role

Join our Heritage and Visitor team maintaining visitor amenities and recreation sites across the Wakatipu District. Based Queenstown, you'll help ensure facilities are clean, safe, and welcoming for visitors enjoying some of New Zealand's most iconic landscapes.

The position will be focused on:

• Maintaining visitor amenities, including toilets, carparks, reserves, and campgrounds.

• Completing practical field work such as mowing, weed control, water supply maintenance, and facility upkeep.

• Supporting visitor experiences through site monitoring and campground compliance activities.

The role involves regular travel throughout the district, from the Routeburn Track to the Kawarau Gorge, servicing a range of visitor sites. Training on equipment such as ride-on mowers and weed eaters will be provided. There may also be opportunities to assist with other field projects and occasional overnight backcountry work.

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

If you have some of following, we are keen to hear from you:

• Use of weed eaters/scrub bars 

• Weed spraying (knapsack 15ltr) 

• Basic maintenance of small petrol driven engines 

• Experience with operating small lawn tractors and mowers 

• Applies use of practical maintenance skills 

• Has a current First Aid certificate 

• Has a current Full Driver’s Licence 

• Has a knowledge of field delivery work 

• Has a knowledge of basic horticulture and garden maintenance work 

• Applies effective use of desktop and hand-held computing devices and apps 

• Back country experience ie tramping/mountaineering etc 

• Traplines (Extensive network of Traps throughout the Wakatipu) 
   

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

Click here for Applicant Information Sheet
Click here for the Role Description.

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 require any accommodations or adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.  

The salary range for this position is $62,069 - $67,446 with the starting salary of the successful applicant based on their relevant skills and experience. 

Eligibility to work in New Zealand is mandatory – this includes holding a valid work visa that covers the whole period of employment. 

Rā whakakapi | Applications close at 11.59pm Tuesday 22 September 2026

Me he pātai anō, whakapā mai | For further enquiries, please contact Pheobe Shaw, Principal Ranger Whakatipu, [email protected]