Job Description

• Make a positive difference for marine conservation in Aotearoa.

• Work in the stunning Pēwhairangi / Bay of Islands, one of New Zealand's marine mammal hotspots.

• Salary Range: $65,590 to $76,589 depending on skills and experience

• Fixed term, full-time position starting early November 2026 through to April 2027

• Based in Pēwhairangi Bay of Islands

Work in a marine mammal hotspot, helping protect dolphins, whales and orca in the beautiful Bay of Islands.

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

Mō te tūranga | About the role

We're looking for an enthusiastic and adaptable Ranger Marine Mammal Sanctuary to join our team. In this role, you'll help protect one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most important marine environments through advocacy, monitoring, compliance and conservation work within the Marine Mammal Sanctuary.

Pēwhairangi / Bay of Islands is recognised as a marine mammal hotspot, providing critical habitat for dolphins, orca, whales and fur seals. This role offers the opportunity to contribute directly to the protection of these remarkable species and their habitat.

Working both on the water and on land, you'll engage with visitors, boaties and local communities to promote sanctuary regulations and support the protection of marine mammals.

This position will be predominantly field based and will require technical knowledge and aptitude with the use of tablet and camera equipment.

Flexibility will be required as you will be working rostered days (these are flexible and can change due to weather) these will be across a five-day working week, with a focus on weekends and public holidays.

The position will be focussed on:

• Supporting Rangers to deliver on-water patrols and land-based monitoring within the Marine Mammal Sanctuary.

• Promoting and advocating for Marine Mammal Sanctuary regulations with visitors, boaties and local communities.

• Monitoring compliance and engaging confidently with large numbers of people each day.

• Building positive relationships and managing challenging conversations when required.

• Assisting with conservation work including biosecurity checks, concession monitoring, trapping programmes and other field activities.

• Providing information and advocacy at local boat ramps and popular visitor locations.

• Working independently and as part of a team in outdoor, marine and remote environments.

• Supporting the protection of marine mammals and their habitat within the sanctuary.

Click here for the Role Description

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

We're looking for a positive and approachable team player who enjoys working with people and is passionate about conservation and the marine environment.

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

• Experience planning and delivering work effectively.

• Confidence engaging with the public and advocating conservation messages.

• The ability to manage challenging situations and maintain positive relationships with people from all walks of life.

• An interest in, or knowledge of, the marine environment.

• The ability to work independently and as part of a team.

• A positive, adaptable and resilient approach.

• Competency using Microsoft Office applications.

• A willingness to work outdoors on boats and in a range of weather conditions.

• Flexibility to work weekends, public holidays and occasional overnight stays when required.

• A full New Zealand driver's licence.

Desirable:

• Experience in compliance, enforcement or customer-facing roles.

• Experience working on or within the marine environment.

• Boatmaster, DOC Skipper or commercial skipper qualifications.

• Experience using different technology i.e., go pro, camara equipment, tablets, apps etc

• A current first aid certificate.

• The ability to drive a manual vehicle and tow a trailer

Additional information

• Rostered days will be flexible across a five-day working week, with a focus on weekends and public holidays.

• Early starts and late finishes may be required.

• Occasional overnight stays at a DOC hut on Urupukapuka Island may be required.

• The role involves working outdoors in a variety of weather conditions and spending significant time on the water.

If you're passionate about marine conservation and enjoy working with people, we'd love to hear from you.

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.

We also support flexible working arrangements for our kaimahi across Aotearoa, with options considered based on the role and in discussion with your leader.

Want to know more?

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 need any adjustments during the recruitment process, let us know and we’ll try to accommodate.

Salary: $65,590 to $76,589, depending on skills and experience.

Eligibility: You must hold a valid NZ work visa that covers the duration of employment.

Please note, we are not engaging with recruitment agencies for this role.

Rā whakakapi | Applications close at 11:59 pm on Monday 24th August 2026. This advert may close early, so please apply promptly

Me he pātai anō, whakapā mai | For further enquiries, please contact Hayley Barlow, Recruitment Advisor at hbarlow@doc.govt.nz