Vacancies

Are you passionate about conservation, have a great work ethic and positive attitude, with extensive experience in project planning and leading the operational delivery of pest management programmes?

Do you also enjoy leading a small but effective team focused on results and are you comfortable interacting with multiple stakeholders including mana whenua, landowners, Department of Conservation and Regional Councils? If so, then we could have the role for you!

Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre is looking for a full-time fixed-term (3 year) programme manager to work in our Biodiversity team, funded through the Jobs for Nature Community Fund. They will be responsible for recruiting a small team of two field rangers focused on reducing rabbit and predator numbers around Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre to protect the tāonga species resident in the ngāhere. The role has a real focus on achieving results and providing clear reporting back to the Department of Conservation to ensure project benefits and outcomes are being realised.

Pūkaha is located 28km north of Masterton on SH2 at the base of 942ha of remnant native forest. Pest management and species reintroductions (as part of our forest restoration programme) are being accelerated in continuing to restore biodiversity within this very special tāonga of Aoteoroa. The ngāhere is home to populations of kiwi, kokako, kaka, kereru, tui and large numbers of other smaller forest passerines. Extensive volunteer trapping on the front 100ha also protects invertebrates and lizards while enhancing the bird experience for our visitors. The centre supports national captive breeding and release programmes for species such as whio, pateke, kakariki, kākā, shore plover and kiwi.

Pūkaha has an important conservation education role and you will be close to an exciting hands on, matāuranga informed centre of learning in partnership with Rāngitane, UCOL and the wider education sector. You will interact with research personnel and students as part of an integrated and research based programme around predator and rabbit control.

You will be responsible for developing and implementing the annual pest management programme in the 2700ha buffer zone of pastoral land surrounding Pūkaha. You will also support the Biodiversity Manager, Regional Councils and Pest management contractors to provide a holistic and integrated pest management programme into the reserve itself.

You will work 5 days a week on roster which may include weekends. Accommodation is available on site if required and could be offered as part of your remuneration package. Applicants must be motivated to work alongside iwi and comfortable to engage in Māori settings.

For all enquiries and a copy of the job description please email [email protected].

Applications close: Friday, 17 September 2021 (date extended from 31 August 2021 due to the Covid-19 Level 4 lockdowns).