Ranger Project Lead - Treaty Implementation

• Permanent Full-Time role | 2-3 year posting to Chatham Islands
• $69,429 - $88,181 + allowances – depending on skills and experience
• Lead Treaty implementation and iwi partnership outcomes in one of Aotearoa’s most remote and culturally significant environments

Bring your relationship management and project delivery skills to a purpose‑rich role grounded in Treaty partnership, manaakitanga, and meaningful conservation outcomes.

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

Lead Treaty implementation where relationships, trust, and delivery truly matter — supporting enduring partnerships with Moriori and Ngāti Mutunga o Wharekauri and embedding Treaty commitments into conservation delivery across the Chatham Islands.

Mō te tūranga | About the role

This is a rare opportunity to take on a highly autonomous

Ranger Project Lead – Treaty Implementation role based in the Chatham Islands.

You will play a key role in supporting and strengthening DOC’s Treaty partnerships, ensuring Treaty settlement commitments, agreements, and protocols are understood, implemented, and embedded in day‑to‑day operations.

The role sits within the Masterton operations team but is physically located on the Chathams, working closely with remote senior leaders, Chatham Islands staff, Treaty partners, and the local community. Given the small, close‑knit nature of the Chatham Islands, this role requires strong judgement, excellent relationship skills, and the ability to operate with sensitivity, discretion, and cultural confidence.

This is not a policy role — it is a delivery‑focused project leadership position, ensuring Treaty commitments translate into practical, on‑the‑ground outcomes.

The position will be focussed on:

• Building and maintaining trusted, effective relationships with Moriori, Ngāti Mutunga o Wharekauri, and their representative entities
• Supporting the implementation of Treaty settlements, deeds, protocols, and agreements at a district level
• Coordinating and supporting hui, engagement processes, and regular communication with Treaty partners
• Identifying gaps, risks, or emerging issues in Treaty implementation and working with Operations and Regional Treaty Partnership teams to address them
• Advising and supporting staff to strengthen culturally appropriate engagement and Treaty‑aligned practice
• Supporting opportunities for Treaty partners to build their capability and exercise kaitiakitanga
• Improving district processes for iwi engagement, information sharing, and record‑keeping
• Engaging with community groups and stakeholders to grow understanding of Treaty partnerships and conservation outcomes
• Managing work programmes, priorities, and reporting in a remote and dynamic operating environment
• This is a high‑trust, relationship‑led role requiring cultural awareness, strong communication, and the confidence to work independently while staying aligned with DOC values and objectives.

Click here for the Role Description

Find out what its like to live and work on the Chatham Islands

We’re currently recruiting for multiple roles on the Chatham Islands - these are permanent positions with an initial 2–3 year posting. Visit our Careers page to learn more.

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

You will bring strong relationship management skills, cultural competence, and the ability to deliver outcomes in complex environments.

If you have some of the following, we’d love to hear from you:

• Demonstrated experience working in Treaty, iwi partnership, or tangata whenua‑focused roles
• Proven ability to build and maintain respectful, durable relationships with whānau, hapū, and iwi
• Sound understanding of Treaty of Waitangi principles, Treaty settlements, and DOC’s statutory obligations
• Strong project management skills, including planning, coordination, prioritisation, and reporting
• Ability to navigate differing perspectives while maintaining alignment with organisational priorities
• High levels of self‑awareness, emotional intelligence, and professional judgement
• Experience working in small, close‑knit or remote community settings
• Confidence using systems, databases, and written reporting tools
• Knowledge of te reo Māori me ōna tikanga, or a demonstrated commitment to developing capability in this area

You’ll also:

• Hold a full, clean New Zealand driver licence
• Be willing to obtain and maintain relevant certifications (training supported)
• Be comfortable working in a remote island environment, with limited resources and high autonomy

Our Values

At The Department of Conservation, everyone’s journey is unique. Every purpose, personal. That’s why we believe your career should be more than a role… it should be a path that reflects who you are, what you value, and the difference you want to make.

Here, you’ll find more than a workplace. You’ll find a team united and guided by values that matter:

• Integrity, because trust and honesty are non-negotiable
• Empowerment, because when we lift each other, we all rise higher
• Connection, because collaboration sparks progress
• Achievement, because results mean more when they create real impact

This is a place where nature thrives because people do.

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 outlining your relevant skills, experience, and motivation for joining Te Papa Atawhai and taking on this remote posting.

If you require any accommodations or adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.

The salary range for this position is $69,429 - $88,181 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 Sunday 7th June

Me he pātai anō, whakapā mai | For further enquiries, please contact Leeza Young, Senior Recruitment Advisor, ***email_hidden***