Location:	Te Anau
Category:	Science/Environment
Position type:	Permanent
Job reference:	DOC/400/09464A
Attachments:	Role Description - Senior Ranger, Biodiversity.pdf (PDF, 296KB) Job Specification

This a rare and exciting opportunity to lead at the forefront of biodiversity conservation in New Zealand.

• Are you a strategic thinker who can prioritise work and develop the team's thinking towards long term outcomes?
• Do you enjoy supporting others in their delivery of biodiversity conservation?
• Would you like to work in a region undertaking large scale projects of nationally significant work at the forefront of predator control innovation?
• Te Papa Atawhai has a full-time permanent vacancy for a Ranger, Biodiversity based in Te Anau that is just the role for you!

Fiordland is world class and famous for its natural icons like Piopiotahi / Milford Sound and three of the 10 Great Walks. It is a passionately protected slice of New Zealand's cultural, geological, and pioneering past with many taonga species. To live here is to enjoy one of New Zealand's most spectacular pieces of natural wilderness as your backyard. It fosters a sense of appreciation that is often lost in big cities.

Toitū te marae a Tāne, toitū te marae a Tangaroa, toitū te tangata

If the land is well and the sea is well, the people will thrive

At Te Papa Atawhai, Department of Conservation we express our spirit of service and serve Aotearoa through our purpose, Papatūānuku Thrives. Our organisational strategy, Te Kaupapa a Te Papa Atawhai, puts nature and people at the heart of everything we do. It is anchored by te reo Māori and te ao Māori, recognising that Te Tiriti o Waitangi and our whānau, hapū and iwi are central to all our mahi.

He angitūtanga | About the role

The biodiversity team are responsible for managing a broad range of work programmes for the protection of many species including kea, kiwi, several threatened invertebrates, whio, pāteke and bats. As a Senior Ranger, Biodiversity in Fiordland you will manage a suite of work programmes across Fiordland managing iconic threatened species, landscapes, and ecosystems.  

You will be part of a high performing District Leadership Team who are upbeat, motivated, and passionate about working together and collaborating with others to achieve greater conservation outcomes for the Fiordland and Southern South Island Region.

A key to the success of the biodiversity work in Fiordland is its delivery alongside community and iwi partners.  The ability to maintain and build on the existing relationships with the wider community, central and local government agencies, businesses, volunteer groups, iwi, hapu and whanau will be crucial. Due to the scale of the projects, there are several high performing partnerships with large stakeholders and community groups.

You will provide advice to the Operations Manager on how the district work program should reflect DOC priorities. You will also:

• Leading the delivery of high-priority complex biodiversity tasks and relationship management.
• Provide technical and strategic advice on matters relating to district biodiversity values/sites.
• Delegated thinking for the Operations Manager to ensure long term success in a changing environment.
• Work with your regional colleagues to ensure integrated delivery of highest priority outcomes for the region.
• Develop annual operational plans for the team's work and support them in their leadership of this work month to month.
• Follow treaty principles to align the work of the team with mana whenua aspirations.
• Monitor and report on the work.
• Manage the Biodiversity budget.

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

You may be an experienced Senior Ranger in another District looking to expand their skills, or a Ranger with a depth of experience in conservation field delivery and looking for career progression or you may have worked partnered with us externally and admired our work from afar and now want to join the team.  Above all, you will have a growth mindset and have a genuine passion for conservation that will allow you to thrive in this role and team.

You will thrive being part of a hard-working team who enjoys working together to get a job done.   You will have a clear and engaging communication style and the ability to build strong relationships and collaborate successfully with others, such as other DOC teams, mana whenua, the community, and stakeholders.

You will be comfortable working in a changing environment and are a strategic thinker who can see the big picture and shift the work of the region to align with DOC's goals. You can communicate clear and concise recommendations for the decision maker.

Desired skills / qualifications

• Knowledge and experience of New Zealand's natural ecosystems.
• Experience undertaking pest plant control programmes.
• Flora / botany knowledge, or a willingness and desire to upskill in this area.
• Experience with wild animal control including predator control, ungulate control, and aerial toxin operations. 
• Understanding of procurement and contract management.
• Experience in budget management.
• Ability to identify risks and opportunities, ie organisation risk, financial risk etc.
• Understanding and experience of operational field work.

Mō te tīma | About the team

Te Anau offers a community lifestyle many other places lament having lost while enjoying access to larger centres thanks to the proximity of Queenstown to the north and Invercargill to the south. Shopping, airports, and other services are just a two-hour drive away. From kindergarten through to high school, local children are immersed in the environment as part of their education. The community is vibrant with a strong family network, new arts hub, strong sports centre, and community garden. Outdoor recreational opportunities abound, with a strong community of outdoors people, and NZ's largest national park at your doorstep. Commuting to work will be a highlight, with biking or walking along the lakefront, with no traffic congestion to speak of.

Mō mātou | About us

Te Papa Atawhai is committed to fostering a diverse workforce that represents the communities we serve, and to creating an inclusive workplace culture. Our Te Kaupapa behaviours of whakatīnanatia (we deliver), atawhaitia a Papatūānuku (we love nature), whakawhānaungatanga (we build relationships) and whakaauaha (we innovate) guide what we need to do for Papatūānuku to Thrive.

Ko ngā hua | What we offer

We take pride in enabling our kaimahi to bring their unique perspectives to mahi, in pursuit of our collective aspirations. Our commitment to well-being and professional development includes:

• Flexible working options where applicable
• Te Pukenga Atawhai – Cultural Capability Development Programme
• Active employee networks, Te Kāwai Aho Tapu - Māori Kaimahi Network, Rainbow Network

Tono ināianei | Apply now

Submit a tailored CV and cover letter highlighting your relevant skills, experience, and alignment to our Kaupapa.

The salary range for this position is $72,610 to $92,780 with the starting salary of the successful applicant being based on their relevant skills and experience.

Rā katinga | Applications close at 5 pm on Monday 4 July

Me he pātai anō | For further enquiries, contact Debbie Fahey at dfahey@doc.govt.nz or 027 285 2746

Taupānga| Job Reference: 400/09464

COVID-19 Vaccination requirement – From 4 May 2022 our Vaccination Policy, requiring all employees to be vaccinated, has been suspended but may be reinstated in the future if the COVID-19 situation changes. Positions that are identified as high risk will still have a requirement for appointees to be vaccinated. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination prior to commencing for these positions will be required and applicants will be notified during the recruitment process if this condition will apply.

Eligibility to work in New Zealand is mandatory – this includes holding a valid work visa that covers the whole period of employment.

Visit www.doc.govt.nz to find out more about a career with us.