Senior Techical Advisor - Water Network Operations

Tiaki Wai; Wellington; On-site; NZD 80,000 - 113,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangements

Wellbeing programme with one paid day

Professional development opportunities

Five weeks annual leave after 2 years

Job summary

Tiaki Wai is seeking a Senior Technical Advisor to lead technical operations within the water network operations team at the Rongotai depot. You will guide complex investigations, support field crews, liaison with internal teams and customers, and ensure safe, compliant network operations.

This full-time role offers an opportunity to develop SOPs, monitor network performance, and provide expert guidance across three waters networks.

Qualifications

• Relevant technical, trade, or engineering qualification (or equivalent experience).
• Strong problem-solving, investigative, and analytical skills.
• Experience in water operations, emergency response, and customer service.
• NZ Class 1 driver's licence and Traffic Management qualification.

Responsibilities

• Investigate complex water, wastewater, and stormwater issues and provide solutions.
• Support planning, prioritisation, and verification of planned and reactive maintenance.
• Lead incident response and emergency remediation efforts.
• Develop, review, and maintain SOPs and operational documentation.
• Coach and mentor Technical Advisors to strengthen team capability.

Skills

Investigative skills

Analytical skills

Emergency response

Customer service

Problem-solving

Leadership / coaching

Education

Engineering qualification

Tools

Asset management systems

Interpret engineering drawings

Job description

• Lead and advise on complex network operations and investigations
• Coach and mentor Technical Advisors while supporting emergency responses
• Role based at the Rongotai depot

This is a full-time position of 40 hours per week.

The remuneration range for this role is $80,369 to $113,462 (including KiwiSaver) depending on skills and experience.

The Opportunity

As a Senior Technical Advisor, you will be a key technical lead within Tiaki Wai's water Network Operations. With an empathic approach you will support operational field crews, liaise with internal teams and customers, and ensure safe, compliant, and effective network operations. You will monitor network performance, investigate complex issues, develop and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and provide expert technical guidance across all three waters networks.

Key Duties

• Investigate complex water, wastewater, and stormwater issues and provide solutions
• Support planning, prioritisation, and verification of planned and reactive maintenance
• Lead incident response and emergency remediation efforts
• Develop, review, and maintain SOPs and operational documentation
• Coach and mentor Technical Advisors to strengthen team capability

About You

• Relevant technical, trade, or engineering qualification (or equivalent experience)
• A logical mindset to compliment your strong problem-solving, investigative, and analytical skills
• Experience in water operations, emergency response, and customer service
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings and use maintenance / asset systems
• NZ Class 1 driver's licence and Traffic Management qualification

Benefits

At Tiaki Wai, our purpose extends beyond delivering great water services for the region; we foster a thriving community, support a diverse workforce, and offer supportive development opportunities. We genuinely care about your safety and wellbeing.

Our Benefits Include

• Flexible working arrangements
• Comprehensive wellbeing programme, including one paid wellbeing day annually
• Formal and informal professional development opportunities
• 5 weeks annual leave accrual will be available following 2 years of continual service

About Us

Tiaki Wai

Tiaki Wai is a council-owned organisation responsible for managing the delivery of drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater services across Hutt Valley, Porirua, and Wellington. We manage public-owned extensive water infrastructure and oversee the delivery of safe and reliable services for our communities. We focus on long-term investment, asset management, maintenance, and delivering major infrastructure projects that support public health, environmental protection, and regional growth.

Water is a precious taonga. At Tiaki Wai, we put care into every drop and are guided by our values of Integrity, Care, and Leadership. We work directly with water consumers and in partnership with councils and mana whenua to deliver better water outcomes for current and future generations.

Applications close: Tuesday 8th October 2026