Principal Water Operator

WIOA; Hastings; In loco; NZD 120.000 - 170.000; Tempo pieno

Vantaggi offerti da questo lavoro

KiwiSaver

Birthday leave

Flexible/WFH options

Descrizione del lavoro

The Hastings District Council is seeking a Principal Water Operator to lead its drinking water treatment operations in Hastings, New Zealand. This senior role provides technical oversight, financial accountability and operational support for the organisation's water treatment assets.

You will manage a team of five, drive regulatory compliance, safety and performance, and collaborate with capital delivery teams on commissioning and system improvements.

Competenze

• Bachelor of Engineering in mechanical, chemical, materials or process engineering.
• Recognised drinking water, engineering or related qualification, or significant equivalent experience.
• Experience in drinking water treatment operations with leadership responsibility.
• Strong understanding of drinking water compliance and regulatory requirements.

Mansioni

• Lead a team of five staff and direct day‑to‑day drinking water treatment operations.
• Ensure service performance, public health protection and regulatory compliance.
• Provide technical oversight and financial accountability for operations.
• Collaborate with capital delivery teams on commissioning and system performance.

Conoscenze

Leadership

Regulatory knowledge

Financial management

Communication

Formazione

Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical/ Chemical/ Materials/ Process)

Drinking water/engineering qualification or equivalent experience

Descrizione del lavoro

We’re partnering with the Hastings District Council who are seeking a Principal Water Operator to join its internal infrastructure team based in Hastings, New Zealand. This senior leadership role will provide technical oversight, financial accountability and operational assistance for the organisations drinking water treatment operations.

About the role:

The role leads a team of five staff and directs day‑to‑day drinking water treatment operations, with clear accountability for service performance, public health protection, regulatory compliance, and effective financial management. It is responsible for ensuring services are delivered safely and reliably and that operational performance supports regulatory compliance.

The role works closely with capital delivery teams to ensure services remain safe, compliant, reliable, and future‑focused, contributing operational insight into design, commissioning, and ongoing system performance.

While the role is primarily leadership‑focused, hands‑on operational involvement may be required at times for escalations, incident response, commissioning activities, or specialist technical support.

This opportunity could be for you if you have…

• Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical, Chemical Materials, or Process Engineering)
• Recognised drinking water, engineering, infrastructure or related qualification, or significant equivalent experience
• Strong operational knowledge of drinking water treatment and associated assets (including abstraction, treatment, storage systems, and distribution)
• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in drinking water treatment operations, with leadership responsibility
• Demonstrated experience leading and managing operational teams in a regulated environment
• Strong understanding of drinking water compliance, public health risk, drinking water regulatory requirements (including the Drinking Water Standards for New Zealand), and Water Safety Plans
• Experience providing technical oversight and decision‑making support for complex operational issues
• Experience contributing to or leading capital projects, including commissioning and operational handover
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including preparation of technical, financial and compliance reporting

What’s on offer?

A challenging, varied and people-focused role where no two days are the same. The position will offer a well-rounded salary & benefits package including a competitive salary plus KiwiSaver, birthday leave, and flexible/WFH options. Other wellbeing perks include discounted fitness memberships, free flu vaccinations, access to EAP services, and access to a Southern Cross group scheme
Ready for the next step?