Ranger Project Lead - Biodiversity

• Permanent Full-Time role | 2-3 year posting to Chatham Islands
• Multiple opportunities available
• $69,429 - $88,181 + allowances – depending on skills and experience
• Lead hands-on biodiversity delivery in one of Aotearoa’s most unique island environments

Lead conservation where it truly counts — delivering priority biodiversity outcomes across the Chatham Islands through practical, on-the-ground action.

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

This is a rare opportunity to take on a highly autonomous Ranger Project Lead - Biodiversity role based in the Chatham Islands. You’ll lead and coordinate biodiversity projects in a remote island setting, supporting threatened species protection, biosecurity, and ecosystem restoration across terrestrial, coastal, and island environments.

The role sits within the Masterton operations team but is physically based on the Chathams and works closely with remote senior leaders, local staff, contractors, mana whenua and the Chatham Islands community. You’ll provide practical leadership and project delivery across a wide range of work programmes.

Mō te tūranga | About the role

As Ranger Project Lead – Biodiversity, you will lead the planning, delivery, and completion of operational biodiversity projects across the Chatham Islands. This includes bird conservation, flora and vegetation work, pest management, monitoring programmes, and biosecurity activities.

This is a delivery-focused project leadership role, not a technical specialist position. You’ll work closely with technical advisors and scientists, translating plans into action, managing logistics, contractors, budgets, and ensuring work is completed safely, on time, and to standard.

The role requires strong organisation, resilience, attention to detail, and a “get on and do it” mindset — balanced with the ability to see the big picture and manage complex relationships.

The role will focus on:

• Leading delivery of biodiversity work programmes in a remote island environment
• Coordinating bird conservation work, including bird banding, monitoring, and island-based projects
• Supporting flora, vegetation, and ecosystem restoration programmes (survey, planting, weed control)
• Delivering pest control and biosecurity work, including trapping programmes and risk management
• Managing projects end-to-end: planning, logistics, contractors, budgets, and reporting
• Working alongside technical advisors to translate plans into effective on-the-ground delivery
• Monitoring concessions, covenants, and compliance, including engagement with landowners
• Responding confidently to incidents and competing priorities, ensuring critical work is completed

This is a highly autonomous, delivery-focused role requiring strong judgement, organisation, and a practical “can-do” mindset.

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’ll bring practical conservation capability, strong project delivery skills, and the confidence to work independently in a remote setting.

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

• Experience delivering biodiversity or conservation field programmes, including birds, flora, pests, and ecosystem work (bird handling/banding, flora survey, planting, weed control, trapping experience all advantageous)
• Sound understanding of monitoring methods, data management, and reporting, with strong attention to detail and confidence using systems
• Proven ability to plan, lead, and complete projects end‑to‑end, including logistics, contractor coordination, budgeting, and reporting
• Practical, solutions‑focused “#8 wire” mindset, with the judgement to problem-solve when resources are limited
• Experience building and maintaining effective working relationships in small, close‑knit or complex stakeholder environments, including landowners and advisors
• Calm, organised, and resilient under pressure, with the ability to prioritise, adapt to changing demands, and see work through to completion

You’ll also:

• Hold a full, clean New Zealand driver licence (LUV/4WD experience desirable)
• Be willing to obtain and maintain relevant certifications (e.g. first aid/PHEC – training supported)
• Be comfortable working in remote locations, including offshore islands

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***