027 550 0611Careers in conservation
As conservation expands so will the careers required to achieve our conservation goals.
Working to conserve our environment can be very rewarding career. Conservation is a growth industry requiring a wide range of skills and so providing a wide range of opportunities.
A career in conservation is not just a case of deciding to do conservation but what sort of job would suit your skills, give you the most satisfaction and importantly provide you with a good living.
Conservation in New Zealand is about protecting our native wild life from extinction
There is now a strong desire politically and within our communities to conserve our native wild life.
In order to achieve this there are many more organisations employing people than there was twenty years ago.
Goals such as predator free 2050 has had an impact through out New Zealand. This is now, and will, provide not only many more jobs but a wide range as well.
Conservation requires a range of skills
Conservation jobs range from
- Administrators to zoologists.
- Rugged out door people to computer based accounting and HR people.
- Civil Engineers and landscapers to design, carpenters and builder to build what is required.
- Possum, Rat and deer cullers to vets and animal health people.
Office workers to mountain climbers there is an opportunity for every one, for example
- accounting
- administration
- biosecurity
- construction trades
- communications
- education
- engineering
- environmental sciences
- finance
- geographic information
- human resources
- information technology
- landscape design
- management roles
- pest control
- planning, policy making and delivery
- research and development
and no doubt many other plus those who want to work at conservation in roles such as farming, forestry and volunteers.
Conservation organisations who need people like you
We have Governmental organisations such as
- DOC
- Ministry of Health
- Many of the other ministries take conservation into account in their decision making and require conservation expertise
Local authority organisations
- Regional councils
- Local councils
Non Government organisations (NGOs) such as National organisations
- WWF World Wide Funding New Zealand which has played an important role providing us with money for our conservation projects
- Kiwis for Kiwi also one of our sponsors
- Foundation North
Local NGOs and community organisation
In a 30km radius of Whangarei the following employ rangers, educators and managers. The Bream Head Conservation Trust, Pukenui Forest Trust, Limestone Island, Tangihua Lions Lodge
Education
From outward bound instructors to school teachers and university professors. To meet the demand for out door and conservation teachers and instructors are required.
Science
Conservation is based on science and understanding our environment. From farming to zoologists scientists and supporting staff are required to move forward and improve our environmental programs.
Over seas
From ski instructors to vets well qualified New Zealanders have a world wide reputation and work all over the world.
The next step for a career in conservation.
If you are interested in a career in conservation you need to consider
- What you enjoy doing
- Your strengths and weaknesses
Not every one is happy in a rough isolated hut in the middle of nowhere. Administrators, front desk people, software designers, Finance, HR and marketing people are not only required but are vital to the industry.
Identify a job you would like to do or a place you would like to be and then ask those people involved about it.
Find out what the relevant qualification are and start planning towards achieving them.
Follow up information on conservation careers
The following links will lead you to various options
Northland Regional Council
