Ranger Biodiversity

• Are you passionate about biodiversity and threatened species? Do you want to actively contribute to the conservation of the New Zealand Fairy Tern/Tara iti across Northland?
• Are you skilled at engaging with multiple stakeholders, supporting advocacy for threatened species, field delivery and passionate about sharing your skills and knowledge with others? Then this might be the role for you!!
• Salary Range: $65,590 to $76,589 depending on skills and experience
• Permanent, fulltime position | based in Whangārei

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

Mō te tūranga | About the role

This is your chance to become part of a strong, tight-knit, and hardworking team dedicated to protecting our unique natural heritage.

As a Biodiversity Ranger within the Forest & Species team, you will work across the Whangārei District alongside community groups, whanau, hapū and iwi partners, delivering hands-on conservation projects that make a real impact.

In this role, you will be specifically supporting DOC’s Tara Iti recovery programme, a national programme working with the most critically endangered endemic breeding bird in the country, the NZ Fairy tern/Tara iti.

Your focus across the district will be implementing work plans as part of a motivated team over a diverse range of ecosystems including marine, coastal, large scale contiguous forest ecosystems and other natural areas within the district and region.

The successful candidate will have a healthy balance of office and field-based work and be guaranteed to get a wide variety in their work

You will have responsibilities including organising and delivering work programmes relating to:

• Engagement and advocacy work
• Threatened species management
• Ecosystem restoration
• Animal and plant pest control work programmes
• Holding key relationships with community groups and stakeholders including iwi and hapū who deliver key conservation initiatives
• Volunteers' coordination
• Supporting seasonal rangers at field sites

Click here for the Role Description

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

Are you someone who thrives in both field and office settings, enjoys hands-on conservation work, and can build strong relationships with communities and iwi partners? This role has a strong engagement and advocacy focus, supporting the Tara iti (NZ Fairy Tern) programme.

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

• Relationship management skills
• Project/contract management skills
• A natural heritage or conservation management qualification
• Experience in the practical management of flora and fauna is essential.
• Experience in operating online systems/software Microsoft applications,
• An ability to work and build successful relationships with iwi, hapū and whānau
• Practical experience in biodiversity work, including animal pest control, weed management, and endangered species support.
• Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with teammates, contractors, iwi, and community groups.
• Excellent planning, organisational, and reporting skills with attention to detail.
• Strong focus on wellbeing, health, and safety.
• Flexibility and adaptability to changing circumstances in field operations.
• High-level of fitness and general field skills.
• Current full driver’s licence.

Desirable:

• Knowledge of threatened species management
• Knowledge of the Fairy Tern/Tara Iti
• Current first aid certificate
• Controlled Substances Licence (CSL)
• Growsafe certificate
• LUV unit standards and experience
• 4WD experience

Mō te tīma | About the team

The Whangārei District Operations team is responsible for delivering conservation work on the ground through our biodiversity, recreation/historic, Treaty and community engagement. This role specifically is part of the Whangārei district, Forest and Species team but have strong ties with the Tara Iti Programme team which sits between Warkworth and Whangārei offices.

We are a close-knit team that look out for one another and are passionate about the mahi that we do while ensuring a health team culture, with flexibility and where wellbeing is a priority. Working actively collaboratively with local iwi, the team foster lasting relationships that create big changes for the future of our environment.

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 $65,590 to $76,589 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 Thursday 4th June 2026.

Depending on the volume of applications received, we may close this advertisement early, so please submit your application as soon as possible.

Me he pātai anō, whakapā mai | For further enquiries, please contact Heloise Ory, Principal Ranger for the Forest & Species team at ***email_hidden***