Supervisor Operations

Mo tenei turanga mahi| About this role

Do you love the outdoors and feel called to restore the natural integrity of our whenua while supporting kaupapa Maori?

Apply your leadership and field skills to deliver meaningful outcomes for people and nature.

Salary ranges from $68,878 to $87,265 based on skills and experience

Permanent, full-time position | Turangi location preferred but may consider other locations for the right candidate

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

The Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai (DOC) serves to protect and restore nature across Aotearoa. When nature thrives, we all thrive.

Ko ta Te Papa Atawhai he tiaki, he whakarauora ano hoki i te taiao puta noa i Aotearoa. He oranga taiao, he oranga tangata.

Mo te turanga | About the role

Nga Whenua Rahui are looking for a motivated and knowledgeable conservation professional to help protect and enhance indigenous biodiversity on privately owned Maori land. This is a great opportunity for someone who understands the value of whenua, has experience managing contractors, and wants to make a meaningful impact in conservation.

In this role, you'll oversee a team of external contractors, build and strengthen relationships with Maori landowners, whanau, hapu, and iwi, and deliver biodiversity outcomes through pest management and landowner support.

The position will be focussed on :

Preparing and managing contracts

Installing and maintaining predator trapping networks

Monitoring pest populations and native biodiversity using a range of tools

Collaborating with partners and stakeholders to achieve conservation goals

Collecting and managing data for reporting and planning

Contributing to annual and site-specific work plans

This role involves travel, so you must be flexible to travel and work away from home as needed.

Click here for the Role Description

Nga pukenga me nga wheako | Skills and experience

If you're passionate about restoring the health of our whenua and supporting Maori-led conservation, we'd love to hear from you. Come be part of a team that works for both people and nature -mo te taiao, mo te iwi.

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

Leadership experience, with the ability to motivate, support, and guide others in the field

Strong understanding of tikanga and kawa when engaging with Maori landowners, whanau, hapu, and iwi

Proven experience managing contractors and coordinating field operations

Excellent health and safety awareness

Physical fitness and ability to work in rugged, remote environments for extended periods

Full, clean New Zealand driver's licence

Ability to work independently in the field and collaboratively with a wider team

Ideally, you'll also bring :

Experience in animal pest and weed management, including monitoring of pest and threatened species

Practical field experience and familiarity with conservation operations

A current First Aid Certificate

Confidence using power tools (e.g. chainsaws, scrub-bars)

Ability to interpret GIS data, produce maps, and use GPS / data logging equipment

Comfort working in backcountry, remote locations

Experience using safety and navigation equipment

The ability to speak and understand Te Reo Maori

Mo te tima | About the team

Nga Whenua Rahui serves to encourage the voluntary protection of indigenous biodiversity on Maori owned land with special emphasis to recognise the cultural and spiritual values of those lands, while recognising the rights guaranteed to Maori Landowners under Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

To learn more about Nga Whenua Rahui, visit Nga Whenua Rahui

He aha nga painga mou? | 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.

We support flexible work arrangements for our kaimahi who are working in a wide variety of roles and locations across Aotearoa. Flexible options will be considered based on your role and in discussion with your leader.

Tonoa inaianei | 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.

The salary range for this position is $68,878 to $87,265 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.

Ra whakakapi | Applications closeat 11 : 00pm on Sunday 23 November

Depending on the volume of applications received, we may close this advertisement early, so please submit your application as soon as possible.

Me he patai ano, whakapa mai | For further enquiries, please contact Brendan Bulliff, Team Lead Regional Operations at