Are you looking for summer work with a difference? Applications are now open for paid summer internships in our beautiful regional parks.
If you’re studying environmental management, parks and recreation or tourism, this is the role for you.
Councillor Penny Hulse, Chairperson of the Environment and Community Committee says the internship is the perfect summer job for students with a love of the outdoors.
“Together with our awesome team of park rangers, you’ll help us care for Auckland’s beautiful backyard and the species that call our parks home,” she says.
“Our rangers play an important role in maintaining and protecting over 40,000 hectares of regional parkland, which attracts millions of visitors each year.
“Summer is a particularly busy time with an influx of holidaymakers, adventure-goers and campers. So, the ideal candidate needs to be passionate about getting stuck into a summer job where no two days are the same.”
Tasks will range from visitor patrols and managing volunteer groups to nursery work, track maintenance, weed and pest control, farm work, sign and barrier maintenance, fencing repairs, wildlife monitoring, by-law enforcement and seed collection.
Park Ranger Amy Waldmann started her career at Auckland Council as a student ranger at Tāwharanui Regional Park during the summer of 2016/17.
“I had recently completed my Masters in Conservation Biology when I saw the advert for the position. I thought it would be a great way to apply the knowledge I had gained during my studies, as well as pick up a few more practical skills over the summer,” she says.
Best part of the job
The variety of the role is what Amy enjoyed the most about being a student park ranger.
“Every day there was something new and different; all against a beautiful backdrop. I would take pictures and share them with my friends. My office was definitely better than theirs.
“We covered a wide range of jobs including setting traplines, weed control, monitoring native species, helping campers and providing advice on walks to park visitors or talking to them about compliance with bylaws such as no dogs in the open sanctuary.”
Supporting native species
A highlight of Amy’s internship at Tāwharanui was working with takahē, a flightless and nationally endangered bird species.
“We had 13 takahē on the park and I never got tired of seeing them. Over the summer I got to help with monitoring their transmitters, rescuing one when it was found outside the pest-free fence and watching a group of them successfully raise a chick.”
Gain great career experience
Amy recommends the summer ranger internship for anyone with an interest in the environment, conservation and recreation industry.
“The position is an amazing way to get experience and you will leave having learned so much on the job. I found the team to be enthusiastic and supportive, and it’s a great way to spend your summer outdoors. I felt like every day I was being paid to have an adventure.”
Apply now
Visit the Auckland Council student ranger careers page for more information and to apply.
Applications close 12pm, Sunday 26 August 2018, so get in quick!
