Supervisor (Fixed-Term)

About the role The New Zealand Fairy Tern/Tara iti is New Zealand’s rarest endemic breeding bird. With fewer than 45 individuals remaining, conservation efforts focus on enabling the species to nest, breed, and rear chicks with minimal disturbance. This rural, full‑time, fixed‑term role (September 2026 – March 2027) involves leading a team of nine temporary and four permanent Rangers throughout the summer nesting season, providing leadership, training, and support to ensure essential conservation work is delivered. Key responsibilities Supervise work delivery – schedule, oversee, and ensure tasks are completed safely and on time. Collaborate with permanent staff, Operations Managers, community groups, iwi and tangata whenua, and other stakeholders to carry out conservation activities. Ensure team capability – provide training, maintain skill levels, and manage the staff roster to match workload with capacity. People leadership – assign tasks, set clear expectations, monitor progress, and foster an environment of trust, respect, and continuous improvement. Identify and raise critical issues, including safety concerns, in an appropriate manner. Provide out‑of‑hours support for emergencies as required. Skills and experience Experience leading or supervising people is essential, including an understanding of good leadership principles. Comfortable engaging with iwi, hapū, and whānau, and building constructive relationships with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders. Strong organisational skills with the ability to track multiple people and work programmes. High ethical standards, confidentiality, and dedication to public service. Commitment to health and safety; knowledge of field safety principles is a bonus. Basic fitness and ability to travel on foot in coastal environments. Availability for occasional evenings, weekends, and emergencies. Desirable: Broad knowledge of New Zealand conservation management and experience with threatened species, particularly the Tara iti program. Other information Accommodation is not provided; applicants must arrange their own residence within commuting distance of Warkworth or Whangārei. The successful applicant may be required to work a 5‑day roster with two days off each week, including weekends. Eligibility to work in New Zealand is mandatory – a valid work visa covering the entire employment period is required. #J-18808-Ljbffr