Supervisor (Marine) (Fixed-Term)

• Play a key role in protecting one of New Zealand’s most significant marine environments

• Salary range $80,695 to $101,951 depending on skills and experience

• Full time, fixed-term from September 2026 – February 2027 based in Auckland or Warkworth

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

Mō te tūranga | About the role 

The Hauraki Gulf / Tīkapa Moana saw a substantial expansion of it’s Marine Protected Areas in late 2025, with 12 new High Protection Areas, 5 new Seafloor Protection Areas and extensions to 2 Marine Reserves.

This role supervises our seasonal Rangers who work to ensure that Members of the public are aware of the new Marine Protected Areas, throughout the Hauraki Gulf / Tīkapa Moana. Your rangers will be at Marine Reserves, community events, boat ramps and retailers answering questions from the public, sharing why marine protections are needed, alongside observing and reporting compliance issues as required.

We are looking for an experienced, adaptable people-leader to supervise a team of up to eleven seasonal staff, who are distributed from Warkworth to Whitianga. As a supervisor, you’ll be responsible for delivery of the work plan, team resourcing and capability, people leadership, relationship-building, training, reporting and providing general support for your field-based team. Some days you’ll be in the field, others in the office, but you’ll be making a difference every day.

This role will report to and have support from the Principal Ranger for this program, along with a team of permanent staff. Induction and training are provided.

The position will be focussed on: 

• Leading our people – assign tasks, set clear expectations and monitor progress. Lead the team in a way that inspires trust, respect, and continuous improvement. Take a proactive approach to managing your own and others’ wellbeing.

• Supervising work delivery – oversee and ensure that work gets done safely and on-time.

• Collaborating– work with permanent staff, community groups and stakeholders to carry out work.

• Team capability – ensure the team has the training, skills, capacity and overall capability to deliver planned work.

• Identifying critical issues, including safety issues, and raise them in an appropriate manner.

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience 

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

• Experience managing or supervising people, along with knowledge of the principles of good leadership. Candidates with experience supervising field-based teams (i.e. not office-based) will be given preference.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Comfortable engaging and working in partnership with iwi and tangata whenua. Able to work in collaboration with iwi, hapū and whānau.

• Collaboration and relationship-building skills, able to interact with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.

• Organisational skills, ability to keep track of multiple people across multiple sites.

• High personal and professional standards of ethics, confidentiality, and dedication to the principles of public service.

• Commitment to health and safety, and knowledge of safety principles while working in the field.

• Passion for marine conservation, including Marine Protected Areas and species

• Ability to work outdoors in a range of weather conditions

• A basic level of fitness and ability to travel on foot in coastal areas.

• Availability to work all weekends and public holidays in the employment term

• Current First Aid certificate

• Full New Zealand driver’s licence

Click here for the Applicant Information Sheet

Click here for the Role Description

He aha ngā pāinga mōu? | What’s in it for you? 

DOC places importance on developing a culture where everyone can participate, thrive, and grow.  We’re working towards being an organisation that is diverse, equitable and inclusive by default.  You can learn more about what we offer here. 

Tonoa inaiānei | Apply now 

Apply online with a CV and cover letter that highlights your relevant skills, experience and motivation for applying. Please note, due to the high volume of applications, we are unable to accept direct or emailed applications.
 
If you require any accommodations or adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.  
 
The salary range for this position is $80,695 to $101,951 with the starting salary of the successful applicant being 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 11:50 pm on Tuesday 11 August 2026. Depending on the volume of applications we received, we may close this advertisement early, so please submit your applications as soon as possible.  

Me he pātai anō, whakapā mai | For further enquiries, contact Adam Whatton, [email protected]