Senior Park Ranger McLaren & Omanawa Falls

Tau ake rā te moana nei, e papaki kau ana ki te ākau tangata, kakenga waka ka mauru te tohu ki te arearenga o Mauao, he pou herenga mōu, he pou hononga mōu, kia herea ki te tika, kia herea ki te pono. Kia mau, kia ita, kia ū – haumi e, hui e, tāiki e! 

McLaren Falls Park is a 190-hectare park on the outskirts of Tauranga, known for its botanical tree collection, Lake McLaren, a picturesque waterfall, and activities like walking, disc golf, fishing, and camping.  Omanawa Falls is a sacred site to local hapū (subtribe) Ngāti Hangarau, offers well-formed tracks through scenic bush to perfectly placed lookouts that oversee the Ōmanawa Falls and the large rock pool below. We have over 300,000 thousand visitors to these parks each year. 

Te Tūranga | About the role 

As the Senior Park Ranger for both sites, you’ll be at the heart of maintaining, protecting, and enhancing these parks. This role combines hands-on operational work with planning, coordination, and leadership responsibilities, ensuring these treasured spaces remain safe, vibrant, and enjoyable for our community and visitors. 

You’ll work closely with contractors, community groups, volunteers, and event organisers, while also supporting the Principal Park Ranger in the smooth day-to-day running of the parks. 

What you’ll do 

• Oversee daily operations and assist with long-term planning and management projects 

• Coordinate contractors, maintenance, and asset upgrades 

• Lead volunteer programmes and foster strong community and stakeholder relationships 

• Support educational, promotional, and event activities in the parks 

• Respond to customer enquiries and incidents with professionalism 

• Step in for the Principal Park Ranger when required, ensuring smooth operations 

• Uphold health & safety standards across all activities and projects 

Ngā Pukenga | What you’ll need to succeed 

To succeed in this role, you’ll bring: 

• A relevant tertiary qualification in Park Management (or equivalent experience) 

• Practical experience with park operations and use of machinery/plant 

• Strong communication and relationship-building skills 

• Confidence in coordinating contractors and volunteers 

• A proactive, solutions-focused approach with a genuine love for the outdoors 

In this role, you’ll: 

• Work in some of the region’s most beautiful natural environments 

• Be part of a supportive and passionate ranger team 

• Make a meaningful impact on the community and environment 

• Enjoy opportunities for personal and professional growth 

Tō Tātou Kaunihera | About Tauranga City Council 

Tauranga City Council is one of Tauranga’s largest employers, and we are always looking to attract great talent to join our driven, passionate, and community-focused team.  

We always strive to ensure that you feel valued and supported in the workplace. 

To highlight that our people are our greatest asset, we offer a wide range of benefits that include 5 weeks annual leave, flexible hours and work from home options, as well as career development opportunities.  

You can find out more about working at Tauranga City Council here.  

Te Tukanga | How to apply 

If you want to be part of an energetic, fun, and supportive team, then we'd love to hear from you. For more information, please contact Beau Bennett at Beau.Bennett@tauranga.govt.nz  

Please note we will not be accepting applications via email. If you wish to apply, please click ‘Apply’ at the bottom of this page and follow the link. 

We’re committed to building a diverse team that reflects the communities we serve. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including those living with disabilities. 
If you need any support or adjustments to take part in our recruitment process, please contact our Talent Acquisition team at recruitment@tauranga.govt.nz 

• You must have the legal right to live and work in New Zealand to apply for this role. 

• Tauranga City Council does not accept unsolicited contact or applications from recruitment agencies. We will not pay fees or commissions related to unsolicited contact.