Operations Support Officer Urban Ark location Auckland. $26 – $30 per hour.

Come and work for Urban Ark – Manawa Taiao, a community-based charitable trust in the inner west of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, working towards an ecologically connected urban landscape where indigenous biodiversity can thrive. We support community conservation groups involved with trapping, weeding, native planting and advocacy for our awa and maunga across 3700ha from Ponsonby to Pt Chevalier and Maungawhau Mt Eden to Ōwairaka Mt Albert.

We seek a part-time contractor with strong organisational and communications skills to be part of a small but motivated team. We expect the role to require 15–20 hours per week for an initial period of 6 months. You will assist with planning, running and promoting an annual programme of engaging public events, as well as ramping up the frequency, resonance and reach of our external comms. Your role will involve working closely with the Coordinator and Facilitator to help develop a communications strategy.

We are looking for someone who will be an energetic independent contractor who is flexible enough to work an irregular schedule involving some evening and weekend events, with the option of balancing working from home and from our office on Great North Rd. Work with the team to achieve pest-free and positive native biodiversity outcomes, in accordance with an agreed strategic direction.

Have the skills to create photographs and video clips which tell coherent stories for social media, newsletters and other communications channels.  Actively promote the work of the various community biodiversity projects in our area. Plan strategically to develop and adhere to timelines for delivery of events and communications.

Have experience and fluency in effective verbal and written communications in English for diverse channels and audiences, including presenting to large gatherings, facilitating workshops and report writing. Have a working knowledge of Microsoft Office 365 software (including Word, Excel, and Outlook)

Have a sound understanding of best-practice pest management and ecological principles within the context of the New Zealand (and particularly Auckland’s) environment. Have a good social understanding of Auckland and its communities, with highly effective networking skills. Have a holistic world view, and belief that we, as humans, are Kaitiakitanga of our environment, in accordance with Mātauranga Māori principles.

Have confidence to work respectfully and effectively within Māori cultural contexts, including the ability to work on a framework to integrate tikanga Māori practices with current best practice for pest control and restoration. Display a willingness to develop new professional skills and areas of expertise as required.

There is flexibility within the role to help Urban Ark develop its community conservation programmes in areas such as assisting with the establishment of community-based citizen science projects. Educational programme for schools. Predator monitoring activities. Biodiversity monitoring activities (eg bird counts). If this role excites you, send us your details.