Seasonal Island Restoration Specialist

Position Title : Seasonal Island Restoration Specialist

Employment Type : Full time

Contract Type : Renewable – 9‑month fixed term expiring September 30, 2026

Location : Remote (Located in New Zealand).

Salary Range : $70,000 – $100,000 NZD annually, depending on location and experience.

This is a full‑time role based on a 32‑hour work week, with remote flexibility and international field deployments. Compensation may vary based on legal minimums and cost‑of‑living differences across locations where Island Conservation operates.

About Us

Island Conservation (IC) envisions a world filled with vibrant biodiversity, resilient oceans, and thriving island communities. We are the only international non‑profit conservation organization with the mission to restore islands for nature and people worldwide. Islands are special places that provide outsized returns on our conservation investments. IC is committed to holistic island‑marine ecosystem restorations that combine efforts to improve community livelihoods and climate resiliency, manage invasive species, and reestablish native animals and plants. Learn more about us at .

Position Overview

Island Restoration Specialists (IRS) are responsible for supporting the development, implementation, and monitoring of island restoration projects in pursuit of Island Conservation’s mission. IRS serve along with Project Managers as our key front‑line staff engaging with the communities and stakeholders we work with to plan, deliver, and measure the impact of our on‑the‑ground interventions. IRS also train people to develop local capacity, write reports and grant proposals, represent Island Conservation publicly in various forums, keep records, and collect, maintain and analyse data.

The Seasonal IRS is a grant‑funded position reporting to the South and West Pacific Program Manager and the Conservation Impact Program Manager, Monitoring and Social Attraction. The position is term‑limited through September 30, 2026, with the possibility of renewal.

This role will support both the South and West Regional Team and Impact and Innovation Team in evaluating the multiple benefits of island restorations and implementing restoration interventions. The position focuses on planning, implementation, data collection and analysis, and summarising results of field visits to evaluate the outcomes of invasive animal eradication projects using standardised protocols to assess biodiversity, human well‑being, ocean, and climate resilience benefits. The position will also directly support the implementation of human‑dimensions monitoring and invasive species removal activities as part of island restoration projects.

Key Responsibilities

Project Coordination (50%)

• Plan and report on restoration and monitoring projects with IC staff and partners.
• Design and implement site‑specific multiple‑benefits monitoring plans using standardised protocols.
• Coordinate logistics, safety planning, and permitting for field trips.
• Lead or contribute to the development of site‑specific operational and safety plans based on organisational guidelines.
• Support the planning and implementation of human‑dimensions monitoring (e.g., interviews, surveys) and ensure ethical standards are met.
• Process and analyse monitoring data (e.g., camera‑trap imagery, eDNA, point counts).
• Summarise findings and contribute to internal and donor reporting.
• Maintain relationships with local partners and stakeholders.

Field Delivery & Data Collection (40%)

Team and Organizational Engagement & Support (10%)

Additional Responsibilities

Approximately 5% of the duties and responsibilities may be adjusted based on the evolving needs of the supervisor and the organisation. This may include carrying out tasks outside of or in addition to those outlined in the job description. Flexibility is essential to support a dynamic response to evolving priorities and objectives.

Compensation & Benefits

This is a full‑time exempt position with a competitive salary and a full benefits package, including a four‑day work week. Island Conservation offers a flexible work schedule with a remote, online work environment.

Requirements

Required Qualifications

Desired Qualifications

Equal Opportunity Statement

Island Conservation is an equal‑opportunity employer committed to building and sustaining an inclusive and equitable working environment. We value the cultural diversity of our team and encourage applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds and experiences.

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