Predator Free New Zealand is an ambitious, yet achievable, target. Success will depend on new knowledge, tools, and techniques being developed along the way – and this is where ZIP comes in.  

At ZIP, our mission is to protect native taonga and restore te taiao (nature) by removing invasive predators across mainland Aotearoa. Zero Invasive Predators Ltd (ZIP) is a not-for-profit organisation established in 2015 by the NEXT Foundation and the Department of Conservation. ZIP is working to adapt and refine our elimination approaches to completely remove predators within the context of three landscape scale projects; Predator Free South Westland project, Te Manahuna Aoraki Project and Predator Free Rakiura. Outside of these field sites, we also have a Predator Behaviour Facility based at Lincoln University in Christchurch, and an office in Wellington.

The Ranger, Aerial Operations role

Targeted aerial response operations are a key tool to achieving and maintaining predator elimination in the vast and challenging terrain across Predator Free South Westland. The purpose of this role is to plan and deliver these aerial response operations to enable to maintenance of predator freedom in South Westland.

Location  Franz Josef

Tasks

  • Lead planning and delivery of targeted aerial response operations in South Westland. This will include managing a task list, and coordinating several different work elements to facilitate successful delivery.

  • Develop and foster effective working relationships across the ZIP team (including operational, technical and community teams), key contractors and landowners.

  • Understand the regulatory requirements to ensure compliance of our aerial responses, and contribute to permissions and reporting required to enable aerial responses.

  • Connecting regularly with work leads to share context and ensure effective integration of aerial responses into the wider work program.

  • Continue to adapt and refine the systems that support effective delivery of response operations.

  • Working in the field to keep grounded and connected to the mahi.

  • Other tasks that would suit your unique personal knowledge, skills, and ability to grow.

Key requirements

  • Experience in predator elimination or control work, working with helicopters or familiarity with aerial operations is preferred

  • Highly organised and able to drive a sense of urgency around operational outcomes to enable operational delivery in weather windows

  • Excellent people skills, with the ability to work collaboratively to navigate challenges which may require significant changes to the work programme at short notice

  • Comfortable in a dynamic working environment with the flexibility to support weather dependent operations, recognizing that this will require work outside of normal office hours.

  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate clearly and effectively with other team members both in person and with remote team members

  • Personal qualities that include:

    • physically fit to work in some of South Westland’s most challenging terrain

    • good time management skills

    • driven to deliver project outcomes

    • keen to develop your capabilities for the role, and to learn and undertake a wide and expanding range of tasks.

All applicants must be eligible to work in New Zealand.

CONTRACT: Permanent, full-time

SALARY BAND: $65,000 - $75,000 - accommodation and food can be supplied as part of your salary package if required.

APPLICATIONS CLOSE: 15 January or when a suitable candidate is found

APPLY:  Please apply online, or send a cover letter and CV to careers@zip.org.nz, quoting ‘Ranger Aerial Operations - Franz Josef' in the subject header. 

For more information, please email your questions to careers@zip.org.nz, providing your name and a contact phone number.