5 Orchard Construction Technician – Intermediate

Southern Cross Horticulture; Bay of Plenty; On-site; NZD 41,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Supportive team environment

Bay of Plenty location

Job summary

Southern Cross Horticulture in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand, is seeking 8 Orchard Construction Technicians to build, maintain and repair world-class kiwifruit orchards in a hands-on outdoor role. You will work with posts, nets, and machinery, performing construction and maintenance tasks.

This full-time, permanent role offers hours 7:30am-5pm, Monday to Friday with 30–45 hours weekly. Required: at least 3 years of relevant carpentry or orchard construction experience, a valid NZ driver's

Qualifications

• 3+ years full-time experience in carpentry and/or orchard construction.
• Proven ability to operate construction machinery safely.
• Physically fit with outdoor work tolerance.
• NZ Drivers Licence required.
• Positive, proactive attitude and initiative.

Responsibilities

• Perform orchard construction and maintenance tasks as directed by supervisor.
• Operate and maintain tools and machinery safely.
• Install posts, hail nets and related orchard structures.
• Record time and complete weekly site reports as required.
• Attend trainings and comply with health and safety protocols.

Skills

Orchard construction experience

Carpentry experience

Machinery operation

NZ Driver's Licence

Physical fitness

Initiative

Teamwork

Tools

Hydraladder

Tractor

Kubota Side-by-Side

Post rammer

Nett installation tools

Job description

Southern Cross Horticulture - Bay of Plenty

Location: Bay of Plenty, New Zealand
Employment Type: Full-time
Reports To: Orchard Construction Site Leader

About SCH

Southern Cross Horticulture is a leading fully integrated kiwifruit orchard development and management company in New Zealand. We're committed to excellence, innovation, and building the best kiwifruit orchards in the world.

About the Role

Join SCH as an Orchard Construction Technician! Build, maintain, and repair world-class kiwifruit orchards in a hands-on outdoor role.

You'll work with a range of tools, materials, and machinery to erect posts, install hail nets, and carry out repairs. These roles are perfect for someone who thrives in a physical, outdoor environment, enjoys variety, and has a keen eye for detail.

We are looking for 8 Orchard Construction Technicians - Intermediate.

This is a full-time, permanent role. The pay rate will be $29.66 - $36.00 per hour depending on experience. You will work Monday to Friday between the hours of 7:30am and 5pm, hours may vary from time to time. You will work a minimum of 30 hours each week and average around 45 hours each week. This role will be in the Bay of Plenty.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform orchard construction and maintenance tasks assigned by supervisor correctly, timely and safely eg. tensioning wire with a winch, installing hail net, sewing hail cloth, operate a Hydraladder and working at elevated heights, post ramming etc.
• Operate tractor, kubota side by side, suzuki carry-on and trailers for transporting and performing construction activities. Maintenance of tools, equipment and machinery & implements according to set maintenance schedules and specifications.
• Attend and participate in skill improvement trainings.
• Comply with health and safety protocols.
• Perform other duties related to orchard construction and Repairs and maintenance (R&M) works that may be assigned from time to time.
• Construction and carpentry work, including building orchard structures, shelter belts, posts, fences, netting, and other construction and carpentry work required.
• Ensure to record time in workflow max daily, and check site Workflow max weekly before submitting each Monday morning.
• Support all other aspects of our operation across the business.
• At least 3 years full-time in relevant experience in carpentry, orchard construction experience, orchard or real estate supervision/management knowledge, general construction, machinery operation, engineering (civil, mechanical, structural, or other relevant types) or related work. Due to the nature of the role, it requires a multitude of skills in practice.
• A valid NZ Drivers Licence.
• Physically fit
• Friendly and energetic
• Initiative
• Positive mindset - living above the line
• Proficient and safe machinery operator & ability to work at heights.
• Ability to pass pre-employment testing

Why Join SCH?

• Supportive, multicultural team environment.
• Work in the beautiful Bay of Plenty.