- Are you ready to lead cutting-edge freshwater and wetland projects in the heart of Waikato’s significant ecosystems?
- Use your technical expertise to tackle complex freshwater challenges and drive real conservation outcomes.
- The salary ranges from $76,257 to $86,401 depending on skills and experience.
- Permanent, full-time role based in the Waikato District Office at Te Rapa.
Our vision: Nature is thriving in Aotearoa | Te Oranga o te Ao Tūroa
The Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai (DOC) serves to protect and restore nature across Aotearoa. When nature thrives, we all thrive.
Ko tā Te Papa Atawhai he tiaki, he whakarauora anō hoki i te taiao puta noa i Aotearoa. He oranga taiao, he oranga tangata.
Mō te tūranga | About the role
Are you passionate about freshwater ecosystems and wetlands? We’re seeking an experienced Ranger/Project Lead with strong technical expertise in freshwater ecology and wetland management to deliver key conservation projects in the Waikato District.
In this role, you’ll work in and around an internationally significant Ramsar wetland, helping protect biodiversity, improve water quality, and restore natural habitats. You’ll provide expert ecological advice, assess activities affecting freshwater environments, and make sound, evidence-based recommendations.
As part of a collaborative Operations Team, you’ll lead innovative projects that safeguard our district’s freshwater taonga and support meaningful, long-term ecological outcomes.
The focus of this position will be to:
- Lead and manage freshwater and wetland projects, ensuring delivery against key environmental and community outcomes.
- Apply technical skills to assess, monitor, and address complex freshwater issues.
- Collaborate with iwi, local communities, government agencies, and stakeholders to develop innovative and sustainable solutions.
- Provide expert advice on freshwater ecology, hydrology, and wetland restoration.
- Monitor and report on project progress, impacts, and compliance with environmental standards.
If you’re passionate about protecting our freshwater environments and have the technical and leadership skills to manage complex wetland conservation projects, we’d love to hear from you.
Click here for the Role Description
Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience
If you have some of the following, we are keen to hear from you:
- Proven experience in freshwater ecology, wetland management, or related environmental fields.
- Strong technical knowledge of freshwater systems species habitats and water quality, including interpreting monitoring data to guide restoration.
- Experience leading complex environmental projects and providing clear, evidence based ecological advice
- Experience collaborating effectively with iwi, local authorities, NGOs, and communities, with a solid understanding of te ao Māori me ngā tikanga, and the Māori-Crown relationship
- A proactive mindset with excellent organisational skills, and ability to prioritise competing demands and tight deadlines.
- Ability to use monitoring data and wider research to form operational tasks to progress restoration.
- Ability to interpret and apply legislation, policy, and management documents.
- Full New Zealand Drivers Licence (Skippering qualifications would be an advantage)
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 that highlights your relevant skills, experience and motivation for joining Te Papa Atawhai.
If you require any accommodations or adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.
The salary range for this position is $76,257 to $86,401 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 Monday 6th April
Me he pātai anō, whakapā mai | For further enquiries, please contact Leeza Young, Senior Recruitment Advisor, leeyoung@doc.govt.nz
