Ranger

• Work at the gateway to Nelson Lakes National Park, surrounded by alpine scenery, beech forests, and crystal-clear lakes

• Live and work in the relaxed alpine village of St Arnaud, with tramping, skiing, biking, and lake activities on your doorstep

• Permanent, full-time role based in St Arnaud, Rotoiti Nelson Lakes Visitor Centre with accommodation options

• The salary range for this position is $60,703 to $66,911

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.

Ko 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

This is a role to get excited about. As a Heritage and Visitor Ranger based in St Arnaud, you’ll be part of a tight-knit team caring for some of Aotearoa’s most spectacular and well-used public conservation land. The Rotoiti/Nelson Lakes District includes almost 500km of walking and tramping tracks, 37 huts, 6 camps, 36 amenity areas, and hundreds of structures and signs across Nelson Lakes National Park, parts of Kahurangi National Park, and Mt Richmond Forest Park.

Your work will span both front-country and remote backcountry environments. Front-country work includes maintaining tracks, toilets, camps, car parks and short walks, while backcountry work involves rugged, mountainous terrain accessed by boat, helicopter, or multi-day tramps. You’ll regularly work on iconic routes such as the Travers–Sabine Circuit and alpine tracks to Rotomaninitua/Lake Angelus Hut, often staying in huts or camping for several days at a time.

Improving visitor safety, maintaining high-quality facilities, and working efficiently and sustainably are central to this role. You’ll enjoy plenty of variety, working across heritage and visitor tasks and occasionally supporting other work programmes within the district or neighbouring districts. The role reports to the Supervisor Heritage and Visitor and is supported by experienced planning and technical staff, with additional help from volunteers and seasonal team members during peak periods.

Click here for the Role Description

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

We’re looking for someone who is physically fit, practical, and thrives outdoors, particularly in remote and challenging environments. You’ll enjoy working as part of a close team and be comfortable adapting to changing conditions and priorities.

You’ll ideally bring:

• Experience in track, hut, or asset maintenance, including small building or construction work

• Chainsaw skills and qualifications, or willingness to obtain them

• Boating experience, or confidence working on and around water

• Comfort working in rugged backcountry, including overnight stays for up to a week

• Strong awareness of health, safety and wellbeing, and a commitment to safe work practices

• Digitally savvy

• A valid full driver's licence

• Have a practical background, ‘can do' attitude, and good physical fitness,

• A positive, flexible attitude and willingness to support other operational work when required

• Ability to work and stay overnight at remote huts, campsites and tracks for several days at a time

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.

We support flexible work arrangements for our kamahi who are working in a wide variety of roles and locations across Aotearoa. Flexible options will be considered based on your role and in discussion with your leader.

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 $60,703 to $66,911 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 Tuesday 3rd March 2026.

Depending on the volume of applications received, we may close this advertisement early, so please submit your application as soon as possible.

Me he pātai anō, whakapā mai | For further enquiries, please contact Daryl Stephens, Principal Ranger Heritage and Visitor, [email protected]