Operations and Maintenance Engineer - Three Waters

Ashburton District Council; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee benefits

Job summary

Ashburton District Council in Christchurch, South Island, seeks an Operations and Maintenance Engineer to lead Three Waters contracts and manage critical water, wastewater and stormwater programmes. You will oversee contract delivery, coordinate with contractors and internal teams, and drive safe, efficient operation across our growing district.

You will bring a BE or NZDE with substantial contract and budgeting experience, strong analytical skills and the ability to collaborate with diverse

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Engineering with at least five years of relevant experience, or a NZ Diploma in Engineering with at least seven years of relevant experience.
• Strong contract management and procurement experience.
• Experience delivering infrastructure maintenance or operations programmes, ideally within Three Waters.
• Sound financial management and budgeting capability.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• The ability to build trusted relationships and communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.
• A collaborative, solutions-focused approach with a commitment to delivering excellent customer outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of Council's Three Waters operations and maintenance contracts.
• Monitor contractor performance to ensure service levels, quality, budgets and timeframes are achieved.
• Manage procurement processes, tenders and contract administration.
• Carry out site inspections, construction observations and technical investigations.
• Support forward planning, renewals and maintenance programmes through sound engineering advice.
• Build strong relationships with contractors, consultants, iwi and internal stakeholders.
• Champion a positive health, safety and wellbeing culture.

Skills

Contract management

Procurement

Stakeholder engagement

Analytical thinking

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor of Engineering

NZ Diploma in Engineering

Job description

Operations and Maintenance Engineer - Three Waters

Ashburton District Council – Christchurch, South Island

Help deliver the essential services our community relies on every day.

• Lead the delivery of Council's Three Waters operations and maintenance contracts
• Manage critical water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure programmes
• Build strong partnerships while delivering quality outcomes for our community

Bring your engineering expertise to Ashburton District Council!

In this role, you'll play a key part in ensuring our water, wastewater and stormwater networks are maintained to a high standard. Working alongside contractors, consultants and internal stakeholders, you'll oversee contract delivery, manage operational programmes and help deliver reliable, sustainable infrastructure services that support our growing district.

What you'll be doing:

You’ll lead the management of Council's Three Waters operations and maintenance contracts while ensuring programmes are delivered safely, efficiently and to a high standard.

• Lead the administration and delivery of Council's Three Waters operations and maintenance contracts.
• Monitor contractor performance to ensure service levels, quality, budgets and timeframes are achieved.
• Manage procurement processes, tenders and contract administration.
• Carry out site inspections, construction observations and technical investigations.
• Support forward planning, renewals and maintenance programmes through sound engineering advice.
• Build strong relationships with contractors, consultants, iwi and internal stakeholders.
• Champion a positive health, safety and wellbeing culture.

What you'll bring:

• A Bachelor of Engineering with at least five years' relevant experience, or a New Zealand Diploma in Engineering with at least seven years' relevant experience.
• Strong contract management and procurement experience.
• Experience delivering infrastructure maintenance or operations programmes, ideally within Three Waters.
• Sound financial management and budgeting capability.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• The ability to build trusted relationships and communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.
• A collaborative, solutions-focused approach with a commitment to delivering excellent customer outcomes.

What's in it for you?

• Play a vital role in delivering essential infrastructure services for our community.
• Enjoy a varied role combining engineering, contract management and stakeholder engagement.
• Work on meaningful projects that make a lasting difference across the Ashburton District.
• Comprehensive range of employee benefits.
• Join a Council where manaakitanga, collaboration and community are at the heart of what we do.

Ready to apply?

Nau mai, haere mai – bring your engineering expertise and passion for delivering quality infrastructure services to a role where you can make a real difference.

Still deciding? Watch our recruitment video and discover why Ashburton District Council could be your next career move!

Applications close Sunday 23 August 2026. For a copy of the position description click here.