Ranger/Project Lead

• Apply your project coordination and relationship skills to help manage the Tongariro Alpine Crossing and other iconic sites within the Tongariro National Park and surrounds

• Salary ranges from $68,878 - $87,265 depending on skills and experience

• Permanent, full-time role based in Whakapapa with accommodation negotiable. 

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

How would you like to work in the oldest and most iconic national park in Aotearoa, a dual-status World Heritage Area? Join Te Papa Atawhai to deliver conservation outcomes for the Tongariro National Park and District. 

As a Ranger Project Lead (Heritage and Visitor), you’ll be a key operational driver within our tight‑knit Tongariro District team. You’ll help care for and continually improve some of Aotearoa’s most iconic visitor experiences, most notably the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, New Zealand’s most popular one‑day hike, as well as the Tongariro Northern Circuit and other significant sites across the rohe.

In this role, you’ll coordinate daily field operations, champion continuous improvement, and ensure our high standards of health, safety, and visitor experience are met. You’ll lead the planning and delivery of work programmes across the district’s visitor assets including huts, tracks, structures, and campgrounds applying your technical know‑how, practical capability, and strong organisational skills to make a real difference on the ground. During the winter season you will lead the team to manage traffic flow through Whakapapa Village by working with contractors and disseminating information to visitors.

The position will be focussed on:

• Information gathering and monitoring of systems, making sound recommendations based on findings.

• Contract management, project management and coordination.

• Running daily operations including helicopter logistics

• Providing advocacy and compliance support by guiding concessionaires and visitors to understand their obligations, while developing strong, trust‑based relationships

• Maintenance and risk management of facilities, sites and assets 

• Engaging with external partners and stakeholders including contractors, community groups, iwi and concession holders. 

Some weekend and after-hours work will be required. This role includes the potential for accommodation, dependent on requirements.

Click here for the Role Description

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

To be successful in this role, you’ll bring a combination of practical capability, strong coordination skills, and a passion for conserving Aotearoa’s natural and cultural heritage.

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

• Strong project management, task prioritisation, and coordination capabilities

• Ability to work unsupervised while showing initiative and making sound decisions based on data.

• Contractor management experience

• Customer service and conflict resolution skills

• Experience in data gathering and analysis

• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to guide and support others

• A solid understanding of health and safety processes

• Excellent computer literacy with good professional writing skills, including the use of the Microsoft suit of software packages.

• A love of the outdoors as well as strong physical fitness with the ability to be in the field 2-3 days per week or more.

• Experience working with iwi and other external partners

• Strong emotional intelligence and the ability to work as a team and alone

• A full New Zealand driver licence

Desirable:

• Strong understanding of Te Ao Māori

• Experience using machinery such as excavators, scrub bars, or chainsaws

• Experience with SAP and other software programmes

• GIS knowledge

Mō te tīma | About the team

The Regional Operations Group is responsible for delivering conservation work on the ground through our biodiversity, recreation/historic, community engagement and visitor centre teams.

The Central North Island team are a big whanau that place a strong emphasis on looking after one another. The team are very active, value social connection, and are very passionate about their purpose to look out for the maunga and whenua.

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 - $87,265 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 17th February 2026.

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