Job type
Full-time
Location
Motukarara, Canterbury
Full job description
Make a real impact supporting native plant restoration in Canterbury.
Use your admin strengths in a role that directly contributes to conservation.
Join a passionate, supportive team of native plant enthusiasts.
Enjoy varied work combining customer service, coordination, and light nursery tasks.
The salary range for this position is $60,703 to $66,911.
Full-time permanent role based at our Motukarara Nursery, Christchurch .
Our vision: Nature is thriving in Aotearoa | Te Oranga o te Ao Tūroa
The Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai (DOC) serves to protect and restore nature across Aotearoa. When nature thrives, we all thrive.
Ko tā Te Papa Atawhai he tiaki, he whakarauora anō hoki i te taiao puta noa i Aotearoa. He oranga taiao, he oranga tangata.
Mō te tūranga | About the role
The Motukarara Nursery plays a vital role in restoring Canterbury’s native plant biodiversity. As a Ranger based at our nursery, you’ll be part of a small, passionate team committed to protecting and enhancing the region’s flora.
This position is primarily office-based and is key to ensuring smooth nursery operations and an exceptional experience for our customers and community. You’ll be the first point of contact for many of our clients and will take the lead on a range of administrative and customer-facing tasks that keep the nursery running efficiently.
In this role, you will:
Respond to telephone and email enquiries
Allocate stock and confirm plant orders for customers
Provide friendly, professional customer service
Support plant sales and maintain strong customer relationships
Track stock and sales using our nursery database
Complete accurate and timely data entry
Provide basic advice on planting and native species
Prepare plant orders for collection and coordinate dispatch
Contribute to growing and maintaining our customer base
Support general nursery tasks as required
Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience
If you have the following skills and attributes, we are keen to hear from you:
An understanding of conservation and its importance to Aotearoa’s future
Strong communication skills and the ability to work well within a team
Demonstrated administrative experience
A commitment to delivering great customer experiences
Sound problem-solving abilities and good numeracy skills
A full New Zealand driver’s licence
A good level of physical fitness
Experience or knowledge of nursery operations
Understanding of eco-sourcing principles and ecological districts
Confidence identifying or working with native plants
Marketing or customer engagement experience
Knowledge and understanding of tikanga Māori and te ao Māori
A current First Aid Certificate
He aha ngā pāinga mōu? | What’s in it for you?
DOC places importance on developing a culture where everyone can participate, thrive, and grow. We’re working towards being an organisation that is diverse, equitable and inclusive by default.
Tonoa inaiānei | Apply now
Apply online with a CV and cover letter that highlights your relevant skills, experience and motivation for joining Te Papa Atawhai. Please note, due to the high volume of applications, we are unable to accept direct or emailed applications and provide feedback to those not shortlisted.
If you require any accommodations or adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.
The salary range for this position is $60,703 to $66,911 with the starting salary of the successful applicant being based on their relevant skills and experience.
Eligibility to work in New Zealand is mandatory – this includes holding a valid work visa that covers the whole period of employment.
Rā whakakapi | Applications close at 11:59 pm on Sunday 11 January 2026.
Depending on the volume of applications received, we may close this advertisement early, so please submit your application as soon as possible .
Me he pātai anō, whakapā mai | For further enquiries , please contact Jess Ward on
[email protected] or 027 308 2313
