Labourer/Operator

Environment Canterbury; New Zealand; On-site; NZD 93,677,000 - 112,963,000; Full time

Job summary

Environment Canterbury is seeking a practical, safety‑mocused worker to build and maintain river protection and drainage systems. You will operate light machinery, support teams, and help protect the taiao while working in a health‑and‑safety conscious environment.

Role is 50 hours per week, permanent, with training provided. Requires Class 1 licence (minimum) and exposure to chainsaws and machinery; endorsements (Class 2/4) preferred. Hourly rate is NZD 28.95.

Qualifications

• You’re practical, safety-conscious, and enjoy working outdoors.
• You’ll bring a positive attitude and willingness to learn with a strong environmental focus.
• You’ll have knowledge of health and safety practices and be able to work unsupervised.

Responsibilities

• Carry out labouring tasks and operate plant safely
• Maintain equipment and ensure compliance with safety standards
• Support emergency works during floods, fires, and natural disasters
• Work collaboratively with mana whenua and local communities

Skills

Safety consciousness

Teamwork

Outdoor work

Education

Driver Licence Class 1

Driver Licence Class 2 & 4 with W, T, R endorsements

Tools

Chainsaws

Machinery operation

Herbicide application

Job description

Job Category: Construction, Architecture & Interior Design

• Build and maintain river protection and drainage systems
• Join a team committed to sustainability
• Full Time Permanent | 50 hours per week

As a regional council, we are responsible for managing natural resources including air, soil, water and land. We work in partnership with mana whenua Ngāi Tahu to protect the health of our environment to ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for our region.

The region’s evolving environmental and political context means we will continue to be agile and adaptive, as we respond to regulatory and environmental changes.

Our mahi (work) is organised around the delivery of our three core services:

• Environmental Regulation and Protection
• Community Preparedness and Response to Hazards
• Public Transport

Council plays an important role in responding to national legislation and policy changes – this mahi is part of our operating environment and is embedded in our everyday mahi. The current proposals from central government are significant, and Council is working through the opportunities and implications. However, our mahi must continue to deliver our three core services for our partners, communities and te taiao (environment).

The role is varied and involves working in local rivers and surrounding areas toestablishand maintain river protection, tree plantings and structures, noxious weed control, tree felling and clearance. You will use 4WD vehicles, tractors, chainsaws, spraye equipmentand other light machinery so experience is desirablehowever full training is provided.

You will work with other team members and contractors,alongsideBulldozers, Excavators, Dump trucks, Skidders etc.

Key Responsibilities:

• Carry out labouring tasks and operate plant safely
• Maintain equipment and ensure compliance with safety standards
• Support emergency works during floods, fires, and natural disasters
• Work collaboratively with mana whenua and local communities

Hours of work will typically be Monday to Friday, 10 hours per day. You will be required to be available for work during emergency events. Hourly rate is $28.95.

For more information on this role, please refer to the job description at the bottom of the advert.

You’re practical, safety-conscious, and enjoy working outdoors. You’ll bring a positive attitude and willingness to learn along with a strong environmental focus in everything you do. You’ll have good knowledge of health and safety practices and be able to work independently and unsupervised.

• Class 1 Full Driver Licence (minimum); Class 2 & 4 with W, T, R endorsements for Operators
• Experience with chainsaws, machinery, and herbicide application (training provided)
• Ability to work in a team and follow health and safety requirements

This role requires a medical check prior to an offer of employment due to the physical nature of the job.

Our mahi is underpinned by our values:

We understand and embrace a diverse workforce; this diversity will enable us to better serve our people, our community, and our greatest taonga, the environment. We value everyone’s contribution, diverse thinking, and skills.

We're on a journey to become a treaty partner of excellence, including incorporating te ao Māori into our work. We offer supportive opportunities to develop capability in this area and encourage our people to use kaupapa Māori, mātauranga Māori, and te reo Māori in our daily work. We welcome you with an open heart & mind, wherever you are on your personal te ao Māori journey.