Hiring for a new role

Biodiversity Coordinator

Te Tautiaki Hoiho Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust

Ōtākou, Aotearoa | Otago, New Zealand

Full time

We are seeking an experienced operations professional to join our team in implementing our programme operations.

In this purpose-led role, your values of rakatirataka, mahi tahi, and kaitiakitaka will guide everything you do.

Join us for the 2025/2026 season managing 1000 acres of nature reserves protected by the community.

This is an exciting role. Covering the hoiho breeding season, you will be carrying out field work that creates safe passage and protection for this special taoka. We do everything we can to minimise the environmental impacts affecting the hoiho survival.

Day to day, you might be carrying out fence and track maintenance, weed control, together with predator control and wildlife monitoring. You'll be working closely with our partners and suppliers to deliver a wide range of services that further our purpose and mission.

About Us

Te Tautiaki Hoiho Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust is a registered charity formed in 1987 to protect the hoiho by restoring their natural environment. In coastal areas along Te Waipounamu, Trustees purchased pastures to convert to native forest. Volunteers raised seedlings and have cultivated thousands of native plants per annum.

Te Tautiaki Hoiho is a partner of the Te Kaweka Takohaka mo te Hoiho strategic plan calling for ecological and cultural health of hoiho.

As a Biodiversity Coordinator you will work to ensure outcomes align with the following kā whāika strategic priorities:

• Te hauorataka, te orakataka me te whakaputaraka / Health, survival and productivity

• Te marae o takaroa / Marine habitat

• Te whakaekeka o te takata/ Human disturbance

• Te nohoka ki te whenua / Terrestrial habitat

• Ka mahi tahi / Working together

   

Key Tasks

Supporting Eco-Restoration

• Track maintenance for wildlife passage and accessibility
• Weed control and pest plant removal
• Planting and plant maintenance

Predator Control

• Control of pests including mustelids, cats and possums
• Monitoring and maintaining traplines

Other Tasks

• Work with the team to maintain fences, gates and infrastructure in the Reserves and Nursery as required.
• Maintain and develop good working relationship with the community and volunteers.
• Fleet maintenance.
• Administration and record-keeping.

About You

Key Skills

• Advocate for biodiversity and work with the community on the recovery of this special taonga from Kātiki to Rakiura
• Work to protect hoiho in the natural environment
• Collaborate with a multitude of stakeholders who undertake specialised projects, such as pest and predator control, regeneration, and veterinary care
• Continue to work with the hoiho community to develop a system of ecological restoration, rehabilitation, and rescue to give the hoiho the best shot at survival
• Incorporate opportunities into operational planning to strengthen social license to continue to protect the hoiho and engage lifelong advocates
• Be committed to a future where hoiho continue to thrive in nature

Key Experience

• Rakatirataka Leadership
• Mahi tahi Collaboration
• Kaitiakitaka Guardian
• Experience of working in the field including remotely or in a team
• Experience in eco-restoration or conservation
• Administer procedures and policies
• Engage in operational tech stack
• Confident in working with legislation and regulations
• Health and Safety training
• High level of physical fitness

Other Requirements

• Honour the Te Tiriti o Waitangi
• Right to work in Aotearoa either a NZ citizen or permanent resident.
• Full driver’s license essential; experience driving manual vehicles and 4WD experience preferred.
• Able to stay overnight at our Field Base at Irahuka, Catlins

Apply

Interested? Fill out the form below.

We need to fill this position as soon as possible. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis and the role will be filled when the ideal candidate comes along. Don't delay in applying today.