Zero Invasive Predators (ZIP) are seeking an experienced coordinator to join the team working towards Predator Free Rakiura.

The successful applicant will be based from our Christchurch office in Lincoln, and will be required to regularly travel to Rakiura, Stewart Island, to lead aerial operations as they are completed.  

Te Tūranga/The Position

Aerial operations are crucial for achieving and maintaining predator elimination across large and challenging landscapes. This role is responsible for planning and delivering these operations to establish and protect predator-free status in ZIPs landscape scale projects. These operations are often complex and require effective management across a diverse program to deliver successfully.

Ngā Mahi me Ngā Kawenga/Tasks & Responsibilities

Lead planning and delivery of aerial operations in Rakiura, Stewart Island, and ZIPs other projects as needed. This will include coordinating several different work streams to facilitate successful delivery including:

  • Operational and logistics planning, and documentation

  • Supporting operational design with ZIP’s GIS team

  • Ensuring that all required permissions are obtained and the operations are compliant with all required regulations including, Worksafe, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and their delegated authorities

  • Ensuring that all reporting requirements are completed

  • Coordinating contractor and ZIP team availability.

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

  • Be able to clearly communicate the purpose and process of aerial operations to various internal and external audiences, tailoring the message to each project's context and audience.

This is a full-time, permanent role: 40 hours per week minimum.

Working hours are Monday – Friday between the hours of 8am – 5pm with some flexibility as needed to support operations and travel.

Read the job description.

 

Ngā Pūkenga me te Wheako/Skills and Experience

  • Experience managing complex logistics for remote locations (i.e. offshore islands or similar) is essential. Experience in predator elimination, working with helicopters or familiarity with aerial operations is strongly preferred.

  • Proven technical ability to plan and deliver project outcomes aligned with planned timelines, and enjoy problem solving to navigate through challenges or potential road blocks.

  • Flexibility to travel to sites to lead operations, recognising that this will generally be at short notice (owing to the weather-dependant nature of the work), and will require some work outside normal office hours.

  • Excellent verbal and interpersonal communication skills that foster effective relationships with the ZIP team, contractors, suppliers, stakeholders, and remote team members.

  • Comfortable in a fast-paced, dynamic working environment, where work priorities can shift rapidly due to new context or external influences.

Mō Mātou/About ZIP

A not-for-profit organisation that celebrated its 10th anniversary this year, ZIP has grown from an ambitious start-up established by the NEXT Foundation and the Department of Conservation to a credible, highly capable independent company of 90 passionate practitioners, scientists, engineers and enablers.

Most of our current mahi is focussed in the rainforests of South Westland, the drylands of Aoraki/Mount Cook, on Rakiura/Stewart Island and assisting in the urban environment of Predator Free Wellington. We are ready to accelerate into the next phase of growth and therefore need to scale the size of our team accordingly. For more information on our achievements to date, visit zip.org.nz.

 

Te ahurea o te Tima/The Team Culture

People – our team, conservation partners and other stakeholders – are always our number one priority, without exception. We are caring, connected, empowered and innovative. 

ZIP’s team culture is about prioritising wellbeing, health and safety, and building strong internal connections. We value open communication, shared ownership, and supporting each other to meet challenges and achieve our conservation mission.


How to Apply

Applications close:        2 weeks

Apply:                                 Via Seek

Reference:                        Aerial Operations Coordinator

Salary band:                     $70,000 - $90,000

We will be accepting applications until close of business on Friday 9th January 2026.