Drainage Leading Hand

Higgins; Whanganui; On-site; NZD 39,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

KiwiSaver employer contribution 4%

40 hours per week

Upskill and licences

Job summary

Higgins is seeking a Leading Hand - Drainage in Palmerston North to support the Foreperson in day-to-day drainage activities. The role is hands-on and requires leading a small crew to deliver safe, high‑quality work across projects.

You’ll bring proven drainage experience, crew leadership skills, and the ability to read plans and work with various tools and equipment. Higgins offers a permanent, full-time role with 40 hours per week, KiwiSaver matching, and opportunities to upskill.

Qualifications

• Proven drainage experience and hands-on site knowledge.
• Experience leading small crews on drainage projects.
• Understanding of drainage construction methods and materials.
• Experience with rotating and pipe lasers.
• Willingness to support other civil tasks as required.
• Able to read plans, understand levels, and follow site instructions.
• Full NZ Class 1 license; Class 2/WTR endorsements are an advantage.
• Physically fit, reliable and safety‑minded.
• Positive attitude with flexibility to work varied hours.

Responsibilities

• Assist Foreperson in planning and supervising daily drainage activities.
• Lead and support operators, labourers, subcontractors and labour hire staff.
• Ensure drainage works are delivered safely and to specification.
• Coordinate plant, materials and resources to keep work flowing.
• Maintain communication with team, clients and site stakeholders.
• Ensure work meets Higgins' safety, quality and environmental standards.
• Support training and mentoring of less experienced crew members.

Skills

Drainage experience

Crew leadership

Drainage methods

Pipe lasers

Drainage quals

Read plans

Class 1 licence

Safety focus

Flexible hours

Tools

Drainage tools

Job description

Leading Hand - Drainage

Higgins Manawatū is looking for an experienced and motivated Leading Hand - Drainage to join our team in Palmerston North. This is a hands‑on role where you’ll support the Foreperson/Supervisor in leading day to day drainage activities, ensuring safe, high quality and efficient delivery across our projects.

If you enjoy working outdoors, have strong drainage experience, and are confident leading small crews, this is a great opportunity to step up and make an impact.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Assisting the Foreperson/Supervisor with planning and supervising daily drainage activities
• Leading and supporting operators, labourers, subcontractors and labour hire staff
• Ensuring all drainage works (pipelines, manholes, connections, structures) are delivered safely and to specification
• Coordinating plant, materials and resources to keep work flowing efficiently
• Maintaining strong communication with the team, clients and site stakeholders
• Ensuring all work meets Higgins' safety, quality and environmental standards
• Supporting a positive team culture and helping train and mentor less experienced crew members

What You’ll Bring

• Proven experience in drainage.
• Experience leading crews
• Strong knowledge of drainage construction methods, materials, tools and equipment
• Experience with rotating and pipe lasers
• Drainlaying and/or Water qualifications (bonus)
• Willingness to support other civil tasks when required
• Ability to read plans, understand levels and follow site instructions
• Full Class 1 licence - Class 2 and WTR endorsements are an advantage
• Physically fit, reliable and committed to safe work practices
• A positive attitude and willingness to work flexible hours when required

Come join the Green Team

• Competitive hourly rate
• Permanent, full-time role with guaranteed 40 hours per week
• KiwiSaver employer contribution matched up to 4%
• Opportunities to upskill and gain further licences or qualifications
• Great benefits for you and your family

About Higgins

Higgins is a leading roading and civil infrastructure company in New Zealand. We are on a dynamic growth path with people at the heart of what we do every day. We offer a great working environment, competitive pay, subsidised medical insurance, and subsidised education and training for you and your dependants.

Higgins is committed to a drug free workplace. The successful applicant will be required to pass pre-employment drug and alcohol testing and a health check.

We’re with you on the road ahead – Ko tātou kei a koe i te huarahi kei mua.

We are actively looking to fill this role and encourage early applications. Applications are reviewed regularly, and the advertisement may be removed before the closing date.

Research shows that females and minority groups don’t always apply for roles unless they match 100% of the requirements. So, if this role is of interest but you feel you don’t quite fit, we encourage you to apply anyway. We are enriched by many nationalities, languages, religions, customs, and lifestyles. We are proud of our diversity and see it as one of the things that make us better together.