Ranger Community

• Your opportunity to help grow conservation in Central Otago by building meaningful partnerships with iwi, community groups, volunteers, businesses and local stakeholders to achieve positive outcomes for nature.
• Work alongside communities to inspire, support and grow conservation initiatives across the district.
• The salary range for this position is $65,590 to $76,589.
• Permanent, full-time role based in our Wānaka or Alexandra office

Our vision: Nature is thriving in Aotearoa | Te Oranga o te Ao Tūroa

Mō te tūranga | About the role

As Ranger Community, you'll play a key role in connecting people with conservation. Working with iwi, volunteers, community groups, businesses, councils and conservation partners, you'll help grow community participation in conservation and support projects that create lasting benefits for nature across Central Otago.

You'll be a trusted relationship builder who can identify opportunities, bring people together and support others to contribute to conservation outcomes.

Alongside community engagement and partnership work, you'll also contribute to statutory processes that support the effective management of public conservation land.

The role will focus on:

• building and maintaining strong relationships with iwi, community groups, volunteers, businesses, councils and conservation partners
• supporting and coordinating community-led conservation projects and initiatives
• identifying opportunities to grow conservation through partnerships and collaboration
• providing administrative, liaison and advocacy support to projects that achieve more conservation through the involvement of iwi, business and the wider community
• engaging with local communities to promote conservation and encourage participation
• monitoring commercial and private activity on public conservation land, including maintaining accurate and up-to-date database information
• providing high-quality input into Resource Management Act planning processes
• providing field support for statutory land management functions

Click here for the Role Description

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

You'll be passionate about conservation and enjoy working with a diverse range of people to achieve shared goals. With strong relationship-building skills and a collaborative approach, you'll be comfortable engaging with community groups, iwi, volunteers and other stakeholders to support positive conservation outcomes.

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

• highly organised with excellent communication and relationship-building skills
• proactive thinker with the ability to prioritise work and make sound decisions
• experience managing multiple workstreams and competing priorities
• passion for conservation and enabling others to contribute to conservation outcomes
• ability to work collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders
• full New Zealand driver licence
• happy getting out of the office to engage with stakeholders, attend meetings and undertake site visits

Desirable

• knowledge of the Central Otago area
• experience working with and partnering with iwi, community groups, local authorities, businesses or conservation organisations
• experience coordinating community projects, partnerships or volunteer programmes
• understanding of statutory or regulatory processes, including Resource Management Act processes and public conservation land management.

He aha ngā pāinga mōu? | What's in it for you?

DOC is committed to a culture where everyone can participate, thrive, and grow. We're driven by our values and behaviours, and are working towards being an organisation that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive by default.

Tonoa inaiānei | Apply now

Apply online with your CV and cover letter outlining your relevant experience and motivation. We're unable to accept emailed applications or provide feedback to applicants not shortlisted.

If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process, let us know and we'll try to accommodate.

Salary: $65,590 to $76,589, depending on skills and experience.

Eligibility: You must hold a valid NZ work visa that covers the duration of employment.

Please note, we are not engaging with recruitment agencies for this role.

Rā whakakapi | Applications close at 11:59 pm on Monday 24 August 2026.

Me he pātai anō, whakapā mai | For further enquiries, please contact Andrew Watt at [email protected]