Highly Skilled Excavator Operator

Higgins; Whanganui; On-site; NZD 30,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading roading and civil infrastructure company in New Zealand seeks a Highly skilled Large Excavator Operator for their Drainage Crew. Responsibilities include excavation and backfilling of trenches for water and sewer pipes. Ideal candidates will have drainage experience and strong health and safety focus. Join a supportive team with competitive rate and various benefits, including educational funds and discounts.

Benefits

Competitive hourly rate + guaranteed 40 hours per week

Opportunities to upskill

Access to educational funds

Funding for school holiday programmes

Discounts across various services

Market-leading parental leave policy

Brand new PPE gear

Qualifications

• Previous experience operating a range of excavators is essential.
• Ideally +5 years experience in 12T to 30T diggers on drainage projects.
• The ability to work nights when required.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for excavation and backfilling of trenches for water, sewer and stormwater pipes.
• Operate excavators and other equipment in urban and rural areas.

Skills

Self-motivated

Reliable

Strong focus on health and safety

Physical fitness

Basic computer literacy

Education

Full Class 2 license with WTR endorsements

Tools

Excavators

Rollers

Loaders

Trucks

Job description

Description

Enjoy career growth, tailored PPE, and great benefits. Apply now if you have drainage and roading experience!

• Previous experience operating a range of excavators is essential
• Competitive hourly rate + guaranteed 40 hours per week
• Be part of a significant drainage project for the Horowhenua region.

Are you ready to take your career to the next level? The Higgins team in Levin is now seeking a Highly skilled Large Excavator Operator to join their Drainage Crew.

If you're passionate about drainage and have a keen eye for detail, we want to hear from you! Based out of our Levin branch, you will be responsible for excavation and backfilling of trenches for water, sewer and stormwater pipes. Our projects are located in urban and rural areas within the Horowhenua and Manawatu Districts.

The ideal candidate would bring to the role

• Self‑motivated, reliable, honest, and a true team player.
• A strong focus on health and safety for yourself, your colleagues, and the public.
• This is a hands‑on role, so a high level of physical fitness is required.
• Previous experience in drainage is essential. You’ll be operating a range of equipment, including excavators, rollers, loaders and trucks.
• Ideally +5 years experience in 12T to 30T diggers working on 3 waters drainage projects in urban areas.
• A minimum of a full Class 2 license with WTR endorsements.
• The ability to work nights when required.
• Basic computer literacy to manage your workload on a variety of apps.

Join The Higgins Team

• Competitive hourly rate + guaranteed 40 hours per week
• Opportunity to upskill and gain further licences
• Join a supportive team that treat each other like Whānau
• Access to educational funds for you and your children
• Funding for school holiday programmes and tutoring for your children
• Discounts across Southern Cross, ANZ, Z energy, PlaceMakers, Mico and Samsung
• Market‑leading parental leave policy
• Fletcher Building share scheme options
• Brand new PPE gear (that’s your own personal protective equipment)

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 hourly rate, 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 along with a health check – you’ll need to be fit for work!

Building better roads for safer journeys – He pai ake te hanga o ngā rori, kia haumaru ai ngā haerenga

We are actively looking to fill this role and encourage your early application. Applications are reviewed regularly, and we reserve the right to remove the advertisement before the advertised 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.