Ranger | Tūtei

About the role

This permanent full-time Ranger role is based in Palmerston North and involves occasional travel across the region, including overnight stays. You will be part of a small operations team caring for special places and species in the Manawatū District, working across a wide range of environments from remote backcountry locations to popular visitor areas and local amenity sites.

The role suits someone who is practical, willing to work with their hands, and comfortable outdoors in physically demanding conditions. It involves maintaining recreational assets, supporting conservation work, and helping deliver planned work programmes across the district.

Key focus areas

• Maintaining tracks, huts, structures, facilities, and other visitor assets.
• Planning, coordinating, and completing scheduled work programmes.
• Assisting with conservation management work throughout the district.
• Working effectively with a close team while also being able to operate independently in field settings.
• Applying practical problem-solving to find workable solutions on the ground.
• Promoting and modelling health, safety, and wellbeing in day-to-day work.

Work arrangements

The role is based at the Palmerston North office. Staff are expected to travel regularly and be available to stay away from home overnight when needed. Basic tools and vehicles for onsite work are provided.

Skills and experience

We are looking for someone with solid field experience and a hands-on approach to maintenance and outdoor work.

• Experience maintaining recreation assets, tracks, and facilities, with practical ability in carpentry, building, or general repairs.
• Confidence using power tools and outdoor equipment such as chainsaws, mowers, scrub cutters, and saws.
• Good physical fitness and the ability to work in backcountry areas, including off-track navigation.
• Careful attention to detail and a strong commitment to keeping assets in excellent condition.
• Ability to work alone or within a team, with a self-directed and proactive work style.
• Strong troubleshooting ability and the capacity to build effective working relationships with iwi and external partners.
• High standards of health and safety awareness, including completing checks and following safe systems of work.
• A full New Zealand driver's licence.

Desirable experience

• Growsafe certification.
• Working at Heights certification.
• 4WD unit standards and practical driving experience.
• Knowledge of Tikanga Māori and Te Ao Māori.

Values

The organisation values integrity, empowerment, connection, and achievement. It aims to create a workplace where people can do meaningful work, support one another, collaborate effectively, and deliver results that have real impact.

Pay and conditions

The salary band for this position is NZD 61,189 to NZD 67,446 per year. The starting salary for the successful candidate will depend on relevant skills and experience.

This is a permanent, full-time position. Eligibility to work in New Zealand is required, including a valid work visa that covers the full employment period.

Applications must be submitted online with a CV and cover letter. Direct or emailed applications are not accepted, and feedback is only provided to shortlisted candidates. If you need accommodations during the recruitment process, you may request them.

The application deadline is 11:59 pm on Thursday 11 June. For further enquiries, contact Leeza Young, Senior Recruitment Advisor, at leeyoung@doc.govt.nz.