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Influential, people leader role contributing to Conservation outcomes for Aotearoa Permanent role | Salary range - $92,912 - $117,570 Multiple Vacancies available | Whakatane or Opotiki Locations Lead the way in conservation — a newly created role guiding district operations and empowering teams across Aotearoa 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 The Department of Conservation have recently made some big changes to help our people and operations work better together—so we can achieve the conservation outcomes we’re aiming for. As part of this, we’ve introduced a new role: Principal Ranger. Reporting to the Operations Manager, this position is all about leading district-based operations teams and supporting them to deliver priority work programmes effectively. The position will be focussed on: Recruiting and onboarding staff and building a positive and collaborative team environment Planning, scheduling and assigning work, ensuring tasks are delivered within timelines and budget Being part of the District Leadership Team and contributing to decisions around resources and priorities Understanding and respecting the importance of the work for Māori/ iwi, fostering positive working relationships to reach mutually beneficial outcomes Managing budgets and financials; tracking outputs, outcomes, and risks Collaborate across internal teams and with our community partners Lead by example by building strong relationships and consistently acting with integrity in everything you do We have two vacancies available, and these can be based out Whakatane or Opotiki locations 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: an experienced people leader who is skilled at empowering, motivating, and creating a positive team culture strong financial and resource management skills comfortable in operational field delivery A strong and proactive communicator and collaborator, you build strong internal and external relationships with ease project and contract management experience ability to work alongside whānau, hapū, iwi collaboratively and effectively, as well as the community, businesses, and others. 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. 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 $92,912 - $117,570 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 11th January 2026 Me he pātai anō, whakapā mai | For further enquiries, please contact Wihi Meelker-Ngatai, Operations Manager, wmeelkernga@doc.govt.nz Please note, the DOC offices will be closed over the Christmas and NY break, reopening on the 5th Jan. Please note that we have replaced our previous recruitment system with Workday, you will need to create a new Candidate Home account when applying for new roles. The Department of Conservation is a great place to work for anyone who is passionate about nature and the environment. Our people are responsible for caring for our land, water and native species. Spread throughout the country, they ensure that nature can thrive. They perform a huge range of tasks in roles from technical specialists to support staff and frontline rangers. Read more about Our role: About us