Power or Protection Technician

Ventia; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 76,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Ventia is seeking experienced Power or Protection Technicians to support maintenance, testing, installation, commissioning and fault response of High Voltage protection and control systems across Canterbury, West Coast and Tasman regions.

The role is primarily field-based, offering diverse project work on substations, protection schemes, SCADA and related assets, with opportunities for upgrades, commissioning and emergency fault response across distribution and transmission networks.

Qualifications

• EWRB Electrician Registration and current Practising Licence, or eligibility to obtain registration through the recognised EWRB overseas-qualified electrician pathway.
• A minimum of 3 years' relevant experience working with High Voltage protection and control systems on electricity distribution and/or transmission networks.
• Sound knowledge of electrical power systems, substations, and network protection schemes.
• Experience interpreting electrical drawings, schematics, protection settings and control diagrams.
• Experience with protection testing, commissioning and fault-finding methodologies.
• Strong commitment to health, safety and quality standards.
• Excellent communication, reporting and documentation skills.
• A current Full New Zealand Driver Licence or an overseas equivalent that can be converted to a New Zealand licence.

Responsibilities

• Support maintenance, testing, installation and commissioning of HV protection and control systems.
• Respond to fault events and provide technical fault-finding support.
• Work across distribution and transmission networks, including substations.
• Maintain accurate reporting and documentation of activities.

Skills

HV experience

Protection testing

Reading schematics

Safety compliance

Communication

Education

EWRB Electrician Registration

Tools

Electrical drawings

Job description

We are seeking experienced Power or Protection Technicians to join our team supporting the maintenance, testing, installation, commissioning and fault response of High Voltage protection and control systems across electricity distribution and transmission networks throughout the Canterbury, West Coast, and Tasman regions.

This role offers a diverse mix of field and project work, supporting critical network infrastructure including substations, protection systems, SCADA, communications equipment and associated primary and secondary assets.

The position is primarily field-based and provides opportunities to work on maintenance, upgrades, commissioning projects and emergency fault response activities across both distribution and transmission environments.

Applicants must have:

• EWRB Electrician Registration and current Practising Licence, or eligibility to obtain registration through the recognised EWRB overseas-qualified electrician pathway.
• A minimum of 3 years' relevant experience working with High Voltage protection and control systems on electricity distribution and/or transmission networks.
• Sound knowledge of electrical power systems, substations, and network protection schemes.
• Experience interpreting electrical drawings, schematics, protection settings and control diagrams.
• Experience with protection testing, commissioning and fault-finding methodologies.
• Strong commitment to health, safety and quality standards.
• Excellent communication, reporting and documentation skills.
• A current Full New Zealand Driver Licence or an overseas equivalent that can be converted to a New Zealand licence.

The following would be advantageous:

• Experience working for an electricity distributor, transmission provider, electrical contractor, utility asset owner, or engineering services business supporting distribution and transmission networks.
• High Voltage switching, outage management and substation maintenance experience.
• Experience commissioning protection schemes on zone substations, grid exit points (GXPs), switching stations or industrial power systems.

This is a full-time, permanent position offering a minimum of 40 hours of work per week. The pay rate is NZD $55.00 to $65.00 per hour, depending on qualifications, skills and experience.

Applicants must have the qualifications, training and experience necessary to perform the duties of a Protection Technician on electricity distribution and transmission networks. Overseas qualifications and work experience will be assessed for equivalence to New Zealand industry requirements where applicable. Suitable overseas applicants may be considered in accordance with New Zealand immigration instructions if no suitably qualified New Zealand citizens or residents are available.

Only suitably qualified candidates will be contacted.

About VentiaAs a leading services provider, wemaintain, operate,and manage the essentialinfrastructure that makes modern life possible across Australia and New Zealand. With more than35,000 employeesandsubcontractorsacross 400 sites, joining Ventia means becoming part of a team that values its people, supports careergrowth,and helps everyone go further towards their full potential.

Our commitment to Fairness, Inclusion and Respect shapes how we lead, collaborate, hire and support one another. We welcome applications from people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds, including Māori and Pasifika peoples and people of all genders, identities, sexual orientations, beliefs and caring responsibilities. We are dedicated to providing an accessible recruitment process and encourage you to request adjustments at any stage.