Experience

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  Cheskin fruit orchard

  Sept 2010 - Mar 2013

  Co-managed the harvest and sale of an orchard’s summer fruit. Hired, managed and organised the pay of employees and coordinated operations with the Auckland-based manager. This included managing finances and prioritising effective customer service.

  • Manager

    Sept 2012 - Mar 2013

  • Seasonal Worker

    Sept 2010 - Mar 2013
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  University of otago

  Mar 2014 - Jun 2014

  Undergraduate research assistant

  Assisted PhD students with sample processing and research as a laboratory assistant. I gained general practical laboratory skills including best practice training, strict hygiene procedures and an understanding of HSNO regulations. The key part of this role was preparing and processing fish and invertebrate samples for stable isotopic analysis.

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  University of otago

  Sept 2014 - Jul 2015

  As part of this role I worked in the laboratory and classroom to direct and facilitate student learning associated with animal biology, ecology and conservation. I enforced health and safety regulations associated with using live animals in the lab, dissections and handling disease-carrying pest species. I also supported a spectrum of opinions on the use of animals as a learning tool in a lab and modified my communication and teaching techniques to cater for varying learning styles and capabilities. During the semester, and key part of my role was to manage students in group projects and tasks, acting as a mediator in discussions, providing guidance and helping students reach their academic goals. Show less As a research assistant, I observed the breeding behaviours of dunnocks to find nests and monitor egg and chick development. I caught and extracted adult birds from mist nets, recorded key morphometric measurements, banded individuals and assisted in blood sampling. I also handled and measured key egg and chick morphometrics. A key part of this role was detailed and accurate data entry, management and analysis that, in part, contributed to the publication of two peer-reviewed short notes that I authored and co-authored. Show less

  • Laboratory Demonstrator and Examination Tutor

    Feb 2015 - Jul 2015

  • Graduate Research Assistant

    Sept 2014 - Feb 2015
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  Department of conservation (doc)

  Feb 2016 - Apr 2017

  Biodiversity ranger, kākāpō/takahē

  In this role, I was part of the core operational team delivering work during the 2016 kākāpō breeding season. This involved working long hours on remote offshore islands and in all weather conditions. A key part of this role included finding nests, monitoring nesting progress and performing chick health checks. I also tracked and captured adult kākāpō using radio telemetry, performed health checks and undertook transmitter changes. As part of annual health checks, I monitored the prevalence and severity of the disease called cloacitis by taking and processing relevant samples and treating infected individuals.A key part of this role also included logistics and facilities maintenance such as resupplies, flight coordination, track clearing, electrical system care, and biosecurity. Show less

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  Department of conservation (doc)

  Jan 2018 - Jun 2019

  Biodiversity ranger, kākāpō/takahē

  In this role I was a senior member of the field-based operations team that undertook the daily monitoring and management of kākāpō during the 2016 and 2019 breeding seasons. As part of this role I:• Trained staff and volunteers; coordinated daily and weekly work priorities • Monitored embryonic development; vaccinated individuals; shift lead of mainland husbandry and hand-rearing facility• Established and initiated the field-based response to an Aspergillosis outbreak including disease screening, medication and rehabilitationA key achievement of mine in this role was being selected as the handler for Sirocco for a tour at Orokonui Ecosanctuary. As part of this I monitored and maintained Sirocco's physical health and wellbeing and reported on advocacy, tour and animal welfare outcomes. Another achievement of mine in this role was being selected to assist in the translocation of takahē to Kahurangi National Park. As part of this project, I helped coordinate helicopters and engaged with the public, and also undertook 2 weeks of post-release survival and dispersal monitoring. Show less

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  Zealandia ecosanctuary

  Sept 2019 - Apr 2020

  Conservation ranger - hihi

  In this role I was responsible for the management and operational delivery of the hihi conservation programme at ZEALANDIA Ecosantuary. This included leading a team of volunteers and staff to monitor the breeding progress of hihi individuals and overseeing the supplementary feeding programme. As the operational lead, I was responsible for monitoring egg and chick development, DNA sampling and processing, and banding new individuals in order to monitor long-term survival and genealogy. Data analysis and reporting were a key part of this role, and during my term as the hihi ranger, I ensured high data quality and assurance by reviewing, reporting and correcting past equation errors, and reorganising the hihi programme filing system to improve accessibility. As part of the conservation team, I also played a key role in general ecosanctuary management, including predator control, spotted skink and tuatara monitoring, and assisting in a wetland restoration project. I also volunteered to lead an Artificial Spawning Substrate project that aimed to passively manage an invasive population of Red Perch in the Lower Lake of ZEALANDIA Ecosanctuary. With the outbreak of Covid-19, I chose not to renew my contract with ZEALANDIA due to the financial implications of living in Wellington through winter without employment (the Hihi role was a fixed-term summer position only). Show less

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  Zip zero invasive predators

  Mar 2021 - Aug 2021

  Field ranger

  Part of the core front-country field team involved in the implementation of a predator management network. Tasks included distribution and set-up of key technology, such as AI cameras, bait stations, Auto-lure devices and camera traps. As the most experienced ranger in the team, I was given responsibility for daily health and safety protocols, and was assigned as the operational lead of kea mitigation sites. This involved establishing 50x50 grids of victor traps to suppress then eradicate rat populations within immediate proximity to kea research sites. Show less

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  Department of conservation (doc)

  Nov 2021 - Sept 2022

  Project lead, community
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  Otago regional council

  Oct 2022 - Oct 2023

  Project delivery specialist - regional programmes