KEY POINTS:
Name: Naomi Chaffey.
Age: 30.
Role: Auckland Regional Council (ARC) park ranger, Northern Regional Parks.
Working hours: 40 per week (duty roster on call for 7 days).
Average salary: $36,000 - $67,000.
Qualifications: Bachelor of Resource Management from Unitec.
Describe what you do.
Our daily operational tasks can include track, trail and campsite maintenance, structure and building maintenance, farm management, by-law enforcement, emergency response and search and rescue operations.
We also provide information, advice and assistance to park visitors to help them enjoy our region's parkland. We have a conservation role that includes environmental management, weed and animal pest projects, planting programmes and species monitoring.
Another important part of our role involves educational activities such as community guided walks and talks, curriculum-based education programmes for primary and secondary students and creating and maintaining partnerships with local communities and volunteers.
How did you end up in this role?
My interest in plants and the environment began when I studied horticulture and agriculture at school which led to me doing a Certificate in Horticultural Skills. Through that I got a garden centre job. I then worked in the floristry industry. This background really helps me with the exotic plant identification work required in this job.
After a London OE and an office job - which I didn't enjoy much - I began a Bachelor of Resource Management at Unitec. While studying I saw the student ranger position advertised for the summer that sounded interesting, so I applied and was accepted. I now have a permanent role as a sector ranger.
Who do you work with?
We work with local communities, volunteers, casual day visitors, school groups, corporate volunteer groups and casual and booked picnickers. They involve people of all backgrounds, ethnicities and ages. We also look after long-stay visitors at our four campgrounds in the north.
Our visitors are not just from the Auckland region; they come from around New Zealand and from overseas. Groups can range from two to 500 people.
What sort of training or experience do you have?
Both practical and land management training and skills. I have a parks and recreation degree. Other qualification options include education, sciences and resource management.
What skills or qualities do you need?
You need to be a jack of all trades and master of none. I end up doing lots of building and plumbing type work. My sister says I have never been so useful around the house!
Project management skills are required for operational work and skills like conflict resolution and relationship management are a must when it comes to the customer aspect of the job. It also helps if you can multi-task and prioritise activities at short notice.
Best part of the job?
The variety! One day I could be dealing with 10,000 people at Long Bay Regional Park and the next day I could be doing pest control at Tawharanui Regional Park in the middle of the bush with nobody around all day.
As a sector ranger I get to work at all the parks in the northern part of the regional parks network so I get to experience all the tasks and issues at each park - from conservation on Tawharanui to farming at Atiu Creek Regional Park.
It's a great team environment. We work closely together and learn a lot from our senior or more experienced colleagues.
Most challenging part?
Rangers face daily challenges and work on some challenging projects. Try fixing a water leak when the water is still on at high pressure or enforcing a dog control by-law when a family has travelled for over 30 minutes to a park only to be told to take their dog home.
Keeping Tawharanui Regional Park pest-free and maintaining our parks to a standard that we and the public can be proud of is an ongoing challenge that we tackle as a team.
Any interesting one-off projects?
One of my bigger conservation projects so far has been to install recycle bins into campgrounds in northern parks. The Ministry for the Environment funded recycle bins for some local councils so the project combined the funding application, signing of the deed, budgeting, contractor negotiations, signage, marketing and media, and monthly reporting.
There has been very positive feedback from campers.
Advice to someone wanting to do same thing?
Enrol in some kind of environmental degree and apply for a student ranger position. Most of our full-time rangers were once student rangers. Volunteering at your local regional park is also a great way to learn about what rangers do and see whether it is for you.
Every day is different and there are always new challenges, from driving a tractor to being involved in nationwide conservation programmes.
Where would you like to be in five years?
Where does everyone dream to be in five years? To be the boss! But senior ranger, conservation will do.
