About us

East Taranaki Environment Collective – ETEC is a community led conservation initiative administered by the East Taranaki Environment Trust. Our office is based in Inglewood, with our project area covering Purangi, Matau, Okoki and Everett Park. Our mission is to protect the ecosystem and biodiversity in East Taranaki.  Our approach to restoring the ecosystem and increasing native biodiversity of our 18,000 hectare community project is through the control of invasive pest species.  Our predator work consists of over 1300 DOC200 and 600 DOC250 traps targeting mustelids, and over 1000 resetting traps (A12s and A24s) that target rats and possums. The Trust uses a combination of toxins and kill-traps to reduce the target pest populations. Our pest operations, through our trap network, toxin operations and goat control, provide a place for kiwi, kōkako, long-tailed bats and other native species to thrive.

ETEC takes a science-based approach to conservation work, by using several indicator species to demonstrate the effectiveness of our pest control programmes. While pest control is at the core of our work to restore the ecosystem, we monitor kiwi, kokako, and other species to indicate whether we are successfully reducing predation rates on these species.

Position summary:

To be the conservation project leader. This position is a mix of undertaking the field work, managing the field team’s time, and overseeing and driving forward the conservation programme of the Trust.

To be successful in this role you will have a strong background in environmental programme management and have proven experience in predator control programmes, native species monitoring, biosecurity management, and site hazard and risk control.

You will be required to provide strategic direction regarding species management, and the ongoing pest and predator management with the project.

The position is a salaried, full time position.

 Key responsibilities:

·       To manage and provide overall leadership for the field work in conjunction with the General Manager.

·       Assist the field team on the ground to ensure the conservation tasks are completed. This includes but is not limited to trapping, toxin operations, pest monitoring, native species monitoring (kiwi and kokako), trap installation, etc.

·       Community engagement –  Assisting the General Manager in developing, growing and managing our volunteer base.

·       Co-ordinate and undertake our field work programme, the individual work programmes, planning and timetabling of activities, and undertaking data-management and high quality reporting for a range of stakeholders.

·       Co-ordinate the Ranger’s tasks and provide training as needed.

·       Co-ordinate and manage our involvement with education programmes.

·       Co-ordinate contractors and ensure they are working safely and following the Trust’s policies and procedures.

·       Ensure we adhere to our health and safety policies and ensure we keep people safe. Review policies and write new policies and procedures as required.

·       Oversee and undertake the required work for native biodiversity monitoring including but not limited to kōkako monitoring, kiwi monitoring with radio telemetry, bats, lizards and other indicator species.

·       Lead and deliver contracts and partnerships to a high standard.

·       Develop work-plans and budgets for restoration activities to achieve cost effective and successful outcomes.

·       Undertake and /or organise pest and threatened species control and monitoring work to provide regular updates on population trends.

·       Undertake any field audit work to ensure we are using best practice for all of our pest control work.

·       Ensure infrastructure, tracks, and equipment are maintained to a safe standard.

The successful applicant will:

·        Be physically fit

·        Be experienced with successful pest control and biodiversity work.

·        Be experienced in working with and managing volunteer groups in restoration projects.

·        Have a thorough understanding of animal pests, their impacts and control methods.

·        Have knowledge and experience in various threatened fauna population monitoring techniques.

·        Be experienced in managing diverse stakeholders

·        Be experienced in the management of staff and contractors

·        Be a great team player with the ability to work with a wide range of people including community volunteers, iwi and hapū, Councils, other conservation organisations and Department of Conservation.

·        Ability to write clear concise reports.

·        Familiarity with relevant Health and Safety requirements.

Skills and Qualifications

·        Experience in a senior biodiversity/ecological role with solid field experience.

·        Experience with different pest control and native species monitoring

·        Relevant tertiary qualifications

·        ATV and 4WD certification

·        1st Aid Certificate

·        Full NZ drivers license

Reporting

The Conservation Manager will report directly to the General Manager.