Ranger Project Lead Heritage and Visitors

• Lead and deliver high-impact projects, providing direction and on-the-ground leadership to achieve key visitor and heritage outcomes 

• Step into a trusted leadership role based at the Whakaoriori Masterton Office, working closely with passionate teams and partners 

• Competitive salary range of $68,878 to $87,265, depending on skills and experience 

• Permanent, full-time opportunity based in Whakaoriori Masterton, offering stability and long-term impact 

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 

Reporting to the Principal Ranger, the Ranger, Project Lead will provide support in delivering operational initiatives, for the District or Region. The position will be focussed on: 

• Lead the delivery of operational initiatives and projects

• Management of contractors  

• Coordinate cross-functional teams and resources to achieve project outcomes 

• Provide leadership in the field and run the day-to-day operations, setting a positive team environment 

• Develop project plans, timelines, budgets, and risk assessments 

• Monitor progress and report on milestones and performance 

• Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders. 

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Click here for the Role Description 

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience 

You’re a natural leader with a background in conservation, environmental operations, or project management. You thrive in dynamic environments and bring clarity, structure, and collaboration to everything you do. 

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

• Experience leading projects or programs, including planning and implementation, supervision of staff and contractors, delivery within timeframes, and reporting 

• A strong and proactive communicator and collaborator, you build strong internal and external relationships with ease 

• Ability to work alongside whānau, hapū, iwi collaboratively and effectively, as well as the community, businesses, and others 

• You’re delivery-focused, highly organised, and continuously seek opportunities to improve efficiency 

• Current full driving licence 

Mō te tīma | About the team  

The Rēkohu/Wharekauri/Chatham Islands Wairarapa District Team are based in Masterton and Chatham Islands.  

The work of the visitor and heritage team covers a large asset base of fifty-two huts, six hundred and sixty-eight kilometres of track and two hundred and ninety-four structures – monitoring and maintaining this network of assets to ensure a safe and positive experience for our visitors is the key focus of this team and we work closely with community groups to  achieve that.  

While the majority of the asset base and work programme sits within the Wairarapa, this role would be involved in projects on the Chatham islands and be  to work in that part of the district as well. 

The wider district team also has a strong focus on biodiversity with threatened species, pest animal and plant control and restoration projects being undertaken in Wairarapa and on the Chatham islands 

Our Treaty Partners are integral to our work here. The current local Treaty Settlement space is active. Ngati Kahungunu and Rangitane have settled, Moriori have recently had their Treaty Settlement enacted and an Agreement in Principle was signed recently with Ngāti Mutunga o Wharekauri. 

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.