Landscaper / Machine operator

Groundswell Landscaping; Queenstown; On-site; NZD 41,000 - 51,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hourly wage $30–$37

High-end project variety

Locally owned landscaping company

Supportive team environment

Growth opportunities

Job summary

Groundswell Landscaping – Queenstown, South Island is seeking a Landscaper / Machine Operator to join our growing team. You’ll operate diggers and other machinery on high-end projects, then shift to hand tools with the crew.

This is a hands-on role that requires problem solving on site and pride in delivering quality landscaping. The role requires at least 2 years’ machine operation experience, a WTR certificate, and the ability to read plans and levels.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years’ experience in machine operation (diggers, loaders, etc).
• WTR certificate – Wheels, Tracks and Rollers.
• Class 2 licence is a bonus.
• Minimum 1 year’s landscaping or similar industry experience.
• Confident operating excavators 1.7T–5.5T — and hire larger machines when required.
• Experience with excavation, shaping and trimming to achieve accurate levels and finished grades.
• Good understanding of levels, falls and drainage.
• Experience installing or working around drainage systems.
• Experience with mini loaders, Harley Rakes and other specialist machinery.
• Able to read and work from plans and levels.
• Strong understanding of health and safety requirements on large building sites.
• Physically fit and hands-on — willing to regularly jump off the machine and work with a shovel, rake and hand tools.
• Good work ethic, reliability and ability to work well as part of a team

Responsibilities

• Operate diggers, loaders and other machinery across high-end landscaping projects.
• Carry out excavation, shaping, trimming and preparation for landscaping works.
• Set and work to levels, grades and drainage requirements.
• Assist with drainage installation and problem-solving.
• Plan and carry out earthmoving aspects of projects.
• Jump in with the landscaping crew when machinery work is not required.
• Work with the team on physical tasks including digging, shoveling, raking and finishing.
• Work across a variety of sites, terrain and project types

Skills

Machine operation

Diggers / Excavators

On-site problem solving

Teamwork

Health & safety

Read plans / levels

Physical fitness

Attention to detail

Education

WTR certificate – Wheels, Tracks & Rollers

Class 2 licence (bonus)

Job description

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Groundswell Landscaping – Queenstown, South Island

Wage Range: $30–$37 per hour, depending on experience

Landscaper / Machine Operator

Love machines, love the outdoors, and enjoy getting stuck in?

We’re looking for a skilled Landscaper / Machine Operator to join our growing team.

This is a genuinely hands‑on role. You’ll be operating diggers and other machinery one minute, then jumping out to grab a shovel and work alongside the crew the next. We’re looking for someone who enjoys variety, can problem‑solve on site and takes pride in delivering high‑quality landscaping projects.

If you have strong excavation skills and enjoy both operating machinery and getting stuck into the physical side of landscaping, we’d love to hear from you.

Requirements

• Minimum 2 years’ experience in machine operation — diggers, loaders, etc.

• WTR certificate – Wheels, Tracks and Rollers

• Class 2 licence is a bonus

• Minimum 1 year’s landscaping or similar industry experience

• Confident operating excavators from 1.7T up to 5.5T — and hire larger machines when required.

• Experience with excavation, shaping and trimming to achieve accurate levels and finished grades

• Good understanding of levels, falls and drainage

• Experience installing or working around drainage systems

• Experience with mini loaders, Harley Rakes and other specialist machinery

• Able to read and work from plans and levels

• Strong understanding of health and safety requirements on large building sites

• Physically fit and hands-on — willing and able to regularly jump off the machine and work with a shovel, rake and hand tools

• Good work ethic, reliability and ability to work well as part of a team

The Role

• Operate diggers, loaders and other machinery across high-end landscaping projects

• Carry out excavation, shaping, trimming and preparation for landscaping works

• Set and work to levels, grades and drainage requirements

• Assist with drainage installation and problem-solving

• Plan and carry out earthmoving aspects of projects

• Jump in with the landscaping crew when machinery work is not required

• Work with the team on physical tasks including digging, shovelling, raking and finishing

• Work across a variety of sites, terrain and project types

What We Offer

• $30–$37 per hour, depending on experience

• Work on some of the best high-end landscaping projects in the district

• The opportunity to take real pride in creating work of the highest quality

• Variety of work

• Supportive team environment

• Opportunity to grow with a locally owned and growing landscaping company