- Do you have an affinity for people, nature, culture and outdoor recreation?
- Tongariro National Park is home to three spectacular active volcanic mountains, rich in cultural and spiritual connection to its awe-inspiring landscapes.
- Salary ranges from $58,816 to $66,578 pro rata based on skills and experience
- 6-month Casual position | Located at our Tongariro National Park Visitor Centre
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 front counter visitor centre position based in Whakapapa Village is one of the most public roles within the Department and is absolutely pivotal to our overall success. Effectively, as the departmental host, you are responsible for ensuring that every person who walks through the door gets the best possible service, whether they are looking for information (or kiwi), checking out the displays, purchasing tramping equipment or just escaping the rain. You will need to be friendly, knowledgeable, organised, quick thinking and excel at customer service.
You will be an essential member to the successful Whakapapa team. Our visitor centres are the gateway to conservation, providing visitors with information to enhance their recreation experiences.
The position will be focussed on:
- Providing visitors with up-to-date information about recreational opportunities and conservation projects, both locally and nationwide
- Providing visitors with backcountry tramping information, weather conditions, condition of tracks and huts, local transport options and safety recommendations
- Promoting and selling national and local conservation recreation opportunities, including Great Walks, Hut, and Campsite bookings
- Ensuring the visitor centre always looks tidy and presentable, shelves are fully stocked, and facilities are clean
- Administration work which may include reconciling daily and weekly banking, data entry, invoicing, and retail stock control
- Consistently ensuring high standards of service are delivered and visitor centre systems, processes and operating procedures are followed
- Managing stock and selling quality, conservation-related merchandise.
Hours of work will vary throughout the year to cover seasonal peaks and will include work on statutory holidays and weekends.
Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience
If you have some of following, we are keen to hear from you:
- The ability to maintain high standards while working under pressure and/or performing repetitive tasks
- A strong team player that is positive, professional, hardworking and supportive of their teammates
- Problem solving abilities, initiative, and a positive ‘can-do' attitude
- Enjoy interacting with the public
- Understanding of recreation and tourism opportunities throughout New Zealand and knowledge of conservation or recreational activities available Tongariro National Park and the wider Ruapehu Region
- The ability to convey visitor safety information clearly, concisely and in a positive manner
- Experience/demonstrated competence in customer service, computer skills, sales and retail
- Enthusiasm for and an active interest in outdoor pursuits and conservation
- An understanding of our relationship with Treaty Partners and stakeholders.
Mō te tīma | About the team
The Regional Operations Group is responsible for delivering conservation work on the ground through our biodiversity, recreation/historic, community engagement and visitor centre teams.
The Tongariro team is a collegial friendly team, engaged with the community and they are looking for a team player who will “pitch in” to get a job done with the ability to work under pressure and keep smiling no matter what!
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. You can learn more about what we offer here.
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 throughout the recruitment process, please do let us know.
The salary range for this position is $58,816 to $66,578 pro rata 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.
Due to high volumes, we are not engaging with recruitment agencies for this role.
Rā whakakapi | Applications close at 11:59 pm on Thursday 21 August 2025. Depending on the volume of applications we receive, we may close this advertisement early, so please submit your applications as soon as possible.
Me he pātai anō, whakapā mai | For further enquiries, contact Mark Judd, supervisor at [email protected]
Te tohutoro tūranga | Job reference: DOC/1874826
Job details
