About The Role

Protect a nationally critical species in one of Aotearoa’s most unique environments.
Spend your days in remote back country, working where few people ever get to go.
Salary Range: $6 5 , 590 to $ 76 , 589
1 full time permanent role - Rakiura Stewart Island .

DOC Ranger 'Dotterel Dan' shares what makes the Pukunui Southern NZ dotterel so special

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

Mō te tūranga | About the role

As Ranger Biodiversity you will be the Field Team Lead who will lead our dedicated Pukunui Recovery Project (Southern New Zealand Dotterel) field team on Rakiur a . The focus for the team is predator control, primarily trapping and laying ground-based toxin to control feral cats in our effort to protect pukunui. With only 160 birds remaining this is a population on the brink of extinction and heavily reliant on predator control to survive.

You will work alone or in teams of two or three in remote locations for up to 10 days at a time, traveling to and from field sites by small boat, helicopter, or on foot.

You will support the Project Lead and Principal Ranger to ensure field work is delivered effectively and efficiently

You will be tasked with supporting a variety of work in other projects in a ddition to puku nui work depending on shift ing priorities across the broader district work programme . Fr om time-to-time w ork w ill includ e suppo rting hoiho co nservatio n, pest-fr ee island biose curity , dune restoration , w eed contro l , visitor infra structure maintenanc e and othe r work as tasked.

The position will be focused on

Leading the field team and s upporting the team to complete health and safety processes
Supporting the Project Lead with logistical planning
Identifying work needs and monitoring their in - field delivery
In - field coaching of staff to ensure best practice is applied
Trapping and humanely dispatching feral cats across the Tin Range and other pukunui breeding sites
Ground-based deployment of 1080 and rodent toxins
Ground - based hunting of white-tailed deer and avian predator speci es
Monitoring pukunui at flocking sites and breeding sites
Infrastructure and track maintenance
Working in remote locations alone or alongside other team members or volunteers
Monitoring and recording your work progress

Click here for the Role Description
Find out more about the predator control programme in this short video
Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

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

Comfortable working in remote areas for up to ten days at a time , both in a team and solo
High physical fitness with proven back-country experience
Familiarity with off- track GPS navigation
Strong communication skills and the ability to work well in a small team
Previous experience supporting your colleagues through on-the-job tra ining
Experience with ground-based predator control using trapping and toxi n con trol
A dedication to health and safety
Accurate and detailed record keeping

Desirable

A controlled substances licence (CSL) with 1080 endorsement
Boating experience and B oat M aster qualification
NZ firearms licence
Ability to drive a manual vehicle

Mō te tīma | About the team

As part of the Rakiura Operations team, you will join a tight knit crew who genuinely enjoy working with each other and are passionate about the work they do. F or more information about living on Rakiura , check out our information sheet or visit http://www.stewartisland.co.nz .

Please note, p rivate accommodation is limited; if required , we have staff accommodation available in a shared house.

He aha ngā pāinga mōu ? | What’s in it for you?

DOC is committed to a culture where everyone can participate , thrive, and grow. We’re driven by our values and behaviours, and are working towards being an organisation that is diverse, equitable , and inclusive by default.

Tonoa inaiānei | Apply now

Apply online with your CV and cover letter outlining your relevant experience and motivation. We’re unable to accept emailed applications or provide feedback to applicants not shortlisted .

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

The salary range for this position is $6 5 , 590 to $ 76 , 589 with the starting salary of the successful applicant 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.

Rā whakakapi | Applications close at 11:59 pm on Monday , 14 September 2026 .

Me he pātai anō , whakapā mai | For further enquiries , please contact Kev Carter, Principal Ranger, at kcarter@doc.govt.nz or +6421956587