Ranger, Marine Protection (2 Vacancies)

• If you’re passionate about protecting our marine environments and committed to working in partnership with mana whenua, we’d love to hear from you.

• Salary: $68,878 to $87,265. Flexible working supported

• Permanent, full time. Dunedin based.

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

The Southeast Marine Protection Programme (SEMP) is delivering Aotearoa’s first co-management framework for marine protected areas in partnership with Kāi Tahu. You’ll be working alongside Kāi Tahu marine rangers, as the face and beating heart of SEMP operations. Your collaborative approach to delivery of work will uplift both traditional kaitiakitaka practices and contemporary marine conservation. Your success will be measured through people’s connection and support of improving the health of the moana, and growing knowledge of the impact that marine protected areas have along the South East coast.

You will implement ecological monitoring, community engagement, and compliance, and support cultural monitoring and activities across six marine reserves and marine protected areas located between Tīmaru and Waipapa Point. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to a programme that upholds Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles and seeks to embed mātauraka Māori in marine management. Please note, this role includes weekend and evening work to support programme needs.

Key responsibilities:

• Form strong working relationships with operational co-management groups to ensure annual planning and activities reflect local priorities and cultural values.

• Deliver ecological monitoring in marine protected areas, including keys species surveys, habitat mapping and assessment.

• Deliver compliance activities including education and advocacy alongside enforcement.

• Engage with local communities to build understanding and support for marine protection.

• Maintain a strong health and safety culture in all work practices.

Click here for the Role Description

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

• Strong commitment to Te Tiriti partnership principles.

• Confident communication and relationship-building skills.

• Ability to lead, plan, implement, and report on operational projects.

• Experience with marine compliance or monitoring survey methodologies.

• Experience and qualifications in marine operations such as boating, diving, or coastal fieldwork.

• Ability to work safely in challenging marine environments.

• Full NZ driver’s licence and ability to meet DOC health and safety requirements.

• Ability to work weekends and evenings as required.

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 kaimahi 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 $68,878 to $87,265 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 11:59 pm on Thursday, 29 January.

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 Samantha Marsh, Principal Ranger, at [email protected] or +64 27 237 4316