Machine Operator

Strata Civil Ltd; Queenstown; On-site; NZD 44,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive hourly rate

Long-term employment

Ongoing projects in Queenstown/Central

Supportive team environment

Skill development and progression

Job summary

Strata Civil Ltd in Queenstown is seeking an experienced Machine Operator to join the crew. You will operate excavators and other earthmoving plant, while also performing ground work such as wiring, drainage, and infrastructure tasks on busy residential, commercial and infrastructure sites in the Queenstown region.

The role combines machine operation with hands-on labours on a daily basis, requiring physical fitness, safety awareness and the ability to work with a crew or independently.

Qualifications

• Proven experience operating excavators or similar earthmoving plant in a civil construction environment.
• Confidence digging and grading to line and level from drawings and site instructions.
• Must have min 12months experience operating piling equipment.
• Physically fit and genuinely happy doing labour-intensive ground work alongside machine operation.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Competency carrying out daily plant checks and basic maintenance.
• Ability to follow instructions, plans and specifications.
• Strong awareness of workplace health and safety.

Responsibilities

• Operate excavators and other earthmoving plant safely across active civil construction sites.
• Dig, load, cut/fill and trench to line and level, working from engineer's drawings and site instructions.
• Carry out site preparation and compaction work ahead of concrete, drainage and infrastructure works.
• Load and unload trucks and support vehicles on site.
• Complete daily pre-start checks and basic maintenance on plant and equipment.
• Work on the ground with the crew for a significant part of each day — building gabion baskets, laying pipe, assisting with concrete pours and retaining wall construction, and general labouring tasks.
• Identify and report hazards, near misses and equipment faults.
• Maintain a clean, safe and organised worksite.
• Comply with all health and safety, quality and environmental requirements.

Skills

Machine operation

Excavator operation

Ground work

Teamwork

Safety awareness

Job description

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Strata Civil Ltd – Queenstown, South Island

Strata Civil Ltd is a civil construction contractor working across the Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago region — one of the busiest and fastest-growing construction markets in the country. We've got multiple active sites running at once, covering retaining structures, drainage, earthworks and subdivision infrastructure, and our plant fleet doesn't sit idle for long.

We're looking for an experienced Machine Operator to join the crew. When you're on the gear, that means digging, loading, cutting and filling, trenching, piling and shifting material to line and level across a mix of residential, commercial and infrastructure sites, on machines ranging from 1.7 tonne up to 25 tonne.

One thing to be upfront about: this is a genuine mixed role. The nature of our work — retaining walls, drainage, concrete and structural works on tight Queenstown sites — means a big part of most days is spent on the ground with the crew. Laying pipe, placing drainage metal, setting up for pours, shifting materials by hand, and general physical site work are all part of the job. Our best operators are the ones who jump off the machine and onto the ground to help out without being asked. If that sounds like you, you'll fit right in.

Key Responsibilities

• Operate excavators and other earthmoving plant safely across active civil construction sites
• Dig, load, cut/fill and trench to line and level, working from engineer's drawings and site instructions.
• Carry out site preparation and compaction work ahead of concrete, drainage and infrastructure works
• Load and unload trucks and support vehicles on site
• Complete daily pre-start checks and basic maintenance on plant and equipment
• Work on the ground with the crew for a significant part of each day — building gabion baskets, laying pipe, assisting with concrete pours and retaining wall construction, and general labouring tasks
• Identify and report hazards, near misses and equipment faults
• Maintain a clean, safe and organised worksite
• Comply with all health and safety, quality and environmental requirements

Skills and Experience Required

• Proven experience operating excavators or similar earthmoving plant in a civil construction environment
• Confidence digging and grading to line and level from drawings and site instructions
• Must have min 12months experience operating piling equipment
• Physically fit and genuinely happy doing labour-intensive ground work alongside machine operation
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Competency carrying out daily plant checks and basic maintenance
• Ability to follow instructions, plans and specifications
• Strong awareness of workplace health and safety

Licence & Other Requirements

• Full or restricted New Zealand driver licence
• WTR (Wheels, Tracks or Rollers) endorsement, or willingness to obtain one
• Ability to pass a pre-employment health and safety assessment, including drug and alcohol testing
• Legal right to work in New Zealand (or ability to obtain the appropriate visa)

What We Offer

• Competitive hourly rate: $32 – $40 per hour
• Stable, long-term employment – minimum 30 hours per week
• Ongoing projects across the Queenstown / Central Otago region
• Supportive team environment
• Opportunities for skill development and progression

Employer Questions

• Which of the following statements best describes your right to work in New Zealand?
• How many years' experience do you have operating excavators or earthmoving plant?
• Do you have professional civil construction experience?
• How many years' experience do you have in a Civil Construction role?
• Do you have a current New Zealand driver's licence?
• This role combines machine operation with hands-on physical ground work each day. Are you comfortable with that mix?