Principal Ranger Fixed Term | Tūtei Mātāmua

• Highly varied people leader role contributing to Conservation outcomes for Aotearoa

• Fixed Term/ Secondment Role – two years | Salary range - $92,912 - $117,570

• Make Aoraki/Mount Cook’s breathtaking landscape your everyday backdrop

Lead the way in conservation — a newly created role guiding district operations and empowering teams across Aotearoa

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

The Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai (DOC) serves to protect and restore nature across Aotearoa. When nature thrives, we all thrive.

K-o tā Te Papa Atawhai he tiaki, he whakarauora anō hoki i te taiao puta noa i Aotearoa. He oranga taiao, he oranga tangata.

Mō te tūranga | About the role

Reporting to the Operations Manager, the Principal Ranger sits within the District Leadership Team (DLT) and plays an important role in leadership, planning, prioritising, and delivering district operations.

This is a people leadership role, not a technical specialist role. You’ll lead a team of around 16 direct reports, so we’re looking for a capable, confident leader who can coach others, build capability, and create a positive team culture.

The operational portfolio is broad and varied, spanning across the Mackenzie and Waitaki districts, and overseeing:

• Community programmes and partnerships

• Search and Rescue (SAR)

• Visitor Centre operations (one of the busiest in the country)

• Visitor Risk and public safety

You’ll help ensure these programmes are delivered safely, effectively, and in alignment with district and national priorities, while building strong relationships with iwi, partners, communities, and visitors.

The position will be focussed on:

• All staff leadership and development

• Fostering positive relationships with Māori/iwi

• Managing large budgets, tracking outcomes, and identifying risks

• Visitor information and risk mitigation

This role is based on site at Aoraki/ Mount Cook.

Click here for the Role Description

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

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

• Proven experience as a people leader, skilled at developing, empowering, motivating, and creating a positive team culture

• Strong financial management capability

• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to build effective internal and external relationships

• Technology capability and confidence adopting new systems and tools

• A proactive approach to identifying and mitigating risk

• Experience in emergency management (advantageous)

• Ability to work collaboratively and effectively with whānau, hapū, iwi, as well as community groups, businesses, and other partners

• Experience in contract management

• Confidence overseeing operational field delivery

Our Values

At The Department of Conservation, everyone’s journey is unique. Every purpose, personal. That’s why we believe your career should be more than a role… it should be a path that reflects who you are, what you value, and the difference you want to make.

Here, you’ll find more than a workplace. You’ll find a team united and guided by values that matter:

• Integrity, because trust and honesty are non-negotiable

• Empowerment, because when we lift each other, we all rise higher

• Connection, because collaboration sparks progress

• Achievement, because results mean more when they create real impact

This is a place where nature thrives because people do.

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 joining Te Papa Atawhai. Please note, due to the high volume of applications, we are unable to accept direct or emailed applications and provide feedback to those not shortlisted.

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

The salary range for this position is $92,912 - $117,570 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.

Due to high volumes, we are not engaging with recruitment agencies for this role. 

Rā whakakapi | Applications close at 11:59 pm on Thursday 19th February

Me he pātai anō, whakapā mai | For further enquiries, please contact Leeza Young, Senior Recruitment Advisor - [email protected]