Enhance your potential to become a ranger with the Department of Conservation (DOC) through this unique, specially designed programme.

• NMIT is the only tertiary institute in the country that works in partnership with the Department of Conservation to provide graduates with the National Certificate in Conservation (Trainee ranger) (Level 3).
• DOC supplies projects, speakers and work placements to assist with linkages between DOC and NMIT. Additionally, our Conservation Programme Leader is a shared staff member between the two organisations. Regional authority staff also provide expertise and support.
• Graduates have the opportunity to apply for employment within DOC's two-year Ranger Development Programme. Skills acquired on the programme lead to a range of work opportunities as a ranger and other outdoor occupations.

Trainee Ranger Certificate 2012
Programme structure:

• A full-time 52-week programme (including placement), based in Nelson 
• First semester: June to October
• Second Semester: End of February to end of June
• During the summer vacation, (between mid-October and mid-February) students will be expected to undertake paid work at a Department of Conservation location within New Zealand for approximately 3 - 4 months.
• Generally the day starts at 9am. (Earlier start times may be necessary depending on location of fieldtrips).

Content includes:

• TRC309 First Aid in the Outdoors
• TRC202 Computing Skills
• TRC203 Basic Fencing Skills
• TRC204 New Zealand Ecological Environmental Diversity
• TRC301 Manage Safety / Leadership Outdoors
• TRC302 Fire Fighting and Radio Use
• TRC303 ATV Use
• TRC304 Te Tiriti o Waitangi and The Treaty of Waitangi
• TRC305 Basic Chainsaw Skills
• TRC306 Construction and Machinery
• TRC307 Boatmaster
• TRC308 Agrichemical Use
• TRC401 DOC Field Administration and Public Relations
• TRC402 Complete a Work Placement 

Entry Requirements

Applicants under 20 years:

• NCEA Level 2 with credits in maths, science or English (or equivalent)

Applicants 20 years and over:

• No minimum academic requirements

All applicants:

• A full manual driver’s licence
• New Zealand or Australian citizenship or residence
• Eligibility to work in New Zealand 
• Capability of participating in the work-based training components of the programme
• Demonstration of likelihood of success on the programme – by submission of a comprehensive Curriculum Vitae outlining interests, experience and academic ability and an interview

Prior learning or experience may be recognised towards your programme of study.

Please note:
Applications for the Trainee Ranger Certificate close on 31 March each year.

Acceptance on the Programme:
Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed in late April or early May and will be selected in a joint process involving the Department of Conservation and Nelson Institute of Technology staff.

Trainee Ranger graduates have the opportunity to apply for a range of permanent and seasonal positions within the Department of Conservation.  Also available are a limited number of vacancies within the Department of Conservation’s two-year Ranger Development programme.
 
This selection process is carried out by an interview with DOC staff, which will be scheduled directly after completion of the programme. The Department of Conservation supplies projects, speakers, work placements and a co-ordinator to link DOC and the Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology. 

This programme has consistently high employment outcomes for graduates. Graduates are sought after to fill a wide range of permanent and seasonal positions. Positions graduates have gone onto include working for local and regional councils in parks and recreation, working in nature tourism ventures as guides, and biodiversity work in private establishments such as zoos and kiwi houses. The programme starts in June and includes a 3 4 month summer work placement with DOC. No other Trainee Ranger programme in New Zealand has this linkage.  

More information on DOC rangers and the training programme is available on the DOC website.

You can also see some Trainee Rangers in action by clicking here.

DOC's vision is:
New Zealand is the greatest living space on Earth
Kāore he wāhi i tua atu i a Aotearoa, hei wahi noho i te ao

"Living space" means our physical environment and the people, plants and animals that it supports.

"Greatest" means New Zealand being the best it can be-a country that prospers socially, economically and environmentally.

DOC's purpose is:
Conservation leadership for a prosperous New Zealand

By "prosperous New Zealand" we mean a country that is flourishing socially, economically and environmentally.

DOC's outcome is:
New Zealanders gain environmental, social and economic benefits from healthy functioning ecosystems, recreation opportunities and living our history.