Vacancy for one of New Zealand’s rarer jobs
A rare opportunity to live and work in a place with milliondollar views is on offer at Aoraki/ Mt Cook.
The Department of Conservation’s Aoraki/Mt Cook alpine search and rescue team leader Jim Young is on the hunt for a ranger to complete the five-strong unit of New Zealand’s only professional alpine rescue team in a fulltime capacity.
Young said it was ‘‘very rare’’ for such an opportunity to be available and had occurred because a staffer had moved on.
‘‘You have to be really fit for this job. This is a very active job, physically.
‘‘During summer months we spend considerable time climbing alpine terrain, and during winter we’re heavily involved in skiing.’’
Young said the job’s biggest perk was the views.
‘‘Some people who live in cities might find the potential of living in such a remote setting quite challenging, but you can walk to work and wake up in a national park.’’
Young said there could be up to 40 search and rescue callouts in the national park annually.
However, the had become significantly modernised which meant there were more opportunities to be involved in national rescue operations.
Young was involved in the successful rescue mission of the two missing trampers at Kahurangi National Park last month.
‘‘Everything comes out of left field in terms of what you have to respond to. You really have to expect the unexpected.
‘‘Assume nothing and expect everything would be my message for anyone wanting this job.’’
Applications close on July 6 and essential skills include rock and ice climbing, mountaineering and alpine skiing competency to a high skill level with ‘‘demonstrated experience and currency in both summer and winter disciplines’’.