• Lead work that protects Regional Park spaces valued by communities and future generations
• Work closely with stakeholders, partners and a wide range of user groups
• Contribute to work that matters within a strong team culture

Kaunihera Taiao ki Waitaha │ About Environment Canterbury

Waitaha - our Canterbury region - is like no other and we are proud to call it home. We have the privilege of working with Papatipu Rūnanga, stakeholders and our wider community to protect our environment, including water, land and air through regulation and planning. As a Regional Council we're responsible for flood protection, public transport, civil defence, and more.  

Together we're taking action to shape a thriving and resilient Canterbury, now and for future generations. Toitū te marae o Tāne, toitū te marae o Tangaroa, toitū te tangata | if the land is well and the sea is well, the people will thrive. 

Kōrero mō te Tūranga | About the Role

Environment Canterbury manages three Regional Parks and over 2800ha of forest on the Waimakariri and Ashley Rakahuri Rivers, and at Takapō. These were initially established for flood protection and soil conservation and now host wider values. Our Regional Parks cater for a wide range of recreational activities while contributing to local biodiversity enhancement and management.

As Principal Ranger, you will provide operational leadership for the maintenance and protection of Environment Canterbury’s Regional Parks. This is a hands-on leadership role, combining time in the field with office-based planning, oversight and coordination.

You will lead and support the Ranger Team to deliver safe, effective park operations, balancing recreation use, biodiversity outcomes, customer safety and community aspirations. The role works closely with internal teams and external partners to ensure an integrated approach to park objectives.

You will oversee ranger operations, contractor performance and fire readiness, contribute to annual and long-term operational planning, and provide leadership in resolving complex operational issues. A strong focus of the role is building capability within the Ranger Team and maintaining high standards of safety, best-practice park operations and customer service.

For more information on this role, please refer to the job description at the bottom of the advert.

Mōu │ About You

You are an experienced operational leader who enjoys working across both field and office environments and understands the realities of managing complex public land. You lead with clarity, build trust easily, and support your team to work safely, confidently and professionally.

You are comfortable working with a wide range of stakeholders, including community groups, contractors, partner agencies and mana whenua, and you bring a practical, solutions-focused approach to balancing environmental protection with public use. 

You value strong team culture, take pride in high-quality operational delivery, and are motivated by work that has visible, positive outcomes for people and place.

Mātau ā-Wheako | Experience  

• A relevant tertiary qualification and/or training in Parks or a related area of specialism
• A minimum of five years of Parks Sector experience with a detailed knowledge of park and outdoor recreation management
• Proven experience in leading a diverse team to successfully achieve community and organisational outcomes
• Demonstrated expertise and experience in engaging a wide and diverse range of people to achieve strategic and operational outcomes
• Experience working with specialised systems to manage Parks including asset management software, database and mapping/GIS applications
• Experience in contract management and joint venture initiatives
• Experience managing rural fire is highly desirable

Ngā hua o te Mahi i te Kaunihera Taiao ki Waitaha | Working at Environment Canterbury  

Our mahi is underpinned by our values:

• Kaitiakitanga (stewardship)
• Pononga (integrity)
• Manaakitanga (people first)
• Whanaungatanga (collaboration)
• Māiatanga (can do)

We understand and embrace a diverse workforce; this diversity will enable us to better serve our people, our community, and our greatest taonga, the environment. We value everyone’s contribution, diverse thinking, and skills.

We're on a journey to become a treaty partner of excellence, including incorporating te ao Māori into our work. We offer supportive opportunities to develop capability in this area and encourage our people to use kaupapa Māori, mātauranga Māori, and te reo Māori in our daily work. We welcome you with an open heart & mind, wherever you are on your personal te ao Māori journey.

Ko ētahi atu kōrero | Additional Information

For a confidential chat about this role, please contact Karen Elliott on 027 210 8114

Applications close on 8 March 2026.  Applications will be reviewed as we receive them, and interviews may take place before the close date. We reserve the right to close advertising early.  

Short-listed candidates will be required to complete an interview process, reference checks, and a criminal check. Further background checking will be required when relevant to the role. 

We are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. If you're excited about this role but don't meet every qualification in the job description, we still encourage you to apply.

Me mahi tahi tātou - Together we can