Ranger

• Do you enjoy being out and about in Te Taiao with the ability to do physical mahi?
• Join a team dedicated to maintaining and improving our unique recreation and historic places for our community and visitors to enjoy!
• The salary ranges from $60,703 to $66,911 depending on skills and experience
• Permanent full-time role based in Thames

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 We have an exciting opportunity available in our Heritage and Visitor team. We are looking for a dedicated and collaborative individual to join our team who feels inspired, day in day out to be connected to our united purpose to protect and restore nature | Toitū te Taiao

The role will be based in Thames. You will join the Heritage and Visitor team who takes great pride in managing and maintaining an extensive recreational asset base across the Hauraki District. The focus is visitor safety and providing quality experiences for all who explore our region.

As a Ranger, you will be focused on Kauri protection and track work including:

• Maintenance of existing Kauri track mitigation work
• Maintenance on a variety of boot cleaning stations for Kauri protection
• Construction of new track mitigation upgrades for Kauri protection
• Small scale building and maintenance work eg: boardwalks, barriers etc
• Operating chainsaws, scrub-bars, backpack sprayers, power carriers, diggers and other minor earthwork machinery
• Checking and maintaining tracks, huts, stairways, campsites and ablution facilities
• Delivery of field work in the backcountry. Overnight work will be required

Click here for the Role Description

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience We are looking for a responsible and reliable team player, who is not afraid of hard work, if you have the following attributes, we are keen to hear from you:

• Knowledge and/or experience in track maintenance
• Experience in carpentry and facilities maintenance
• Experience and/or qualifications in working with chainsaws, scrub-bars, backpack sprayers, power carriers, diggers and other field-based equipment.
• A valid full driver's licence
• Have a practical background, 'can do' attitude, and good physical fitness
• Good basic knowledge of conservation
• Ability to work and stay overnight at remote huts, campsites and tracks for several days at a time

Training will be provided to the right candidate.

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.

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 25 September 2025.

Me he pātai anō, whakapā mai | For further enquiries, please contact Hugh Gordon, Supervisor, mailto:hgordon@doc.govt.nz .