Specialist Operator

Fletcher Building; Hawke's Bay; On-site; NZD 39,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

KiwiSaver employer contributions (4%)

Fuel discounts

Monthly pie and coffee

Permanent 40 hours per week

Job summary

Higgins Hawke’s Bay is looking for an experienced Operator to join our team. A hands-on role delivering civil infrastructure across the Wairoa region, combining plant operation with construction activities.

You will operate excavators and other plant, assist with earthworks, drainage and reinstatement, and work with crews to deliver safe, quality outcomes. Permanent, 40 hours per week, with training opportunities.

Qualifications

• Proven experience operating excavators and civil construction plant.
• Full Class 2 Licence with WTR endorsements.
• Experience in civil construction, roading or earthworks preferred.
• Strong commitment to health and safety and teamwork.

Responsibilities

• Operate excavators and civil construction plant on site.
• Assist earthworks, roading, drainage and general civil tasks.
• Load/unload materials and manage site movements.
• Carry out excavations, trenching, backfilling and reinstatement.
• Read plans and site instructions and perform pre-start checks.
• Maintain plant and equipment to a high standard.
• Collaborate with forepersons/project teams to ensure delivery.
• Follow health, safety, environmental and quality requirements.
• Assist with traffic management and site setup when required.

Skills

Plant operation experience

Class 2 Licence

WTR endorsements

Civil construction experience

Health and safety focus

Good communication

Team player attitude

Manual labour capable

Class 4 Licence advantageous

3-waters drainage exposure (advantage)

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 9th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

Higgins Hawke’s Bay is looking for an experienced and motivated Operator to join our growing team. With a strong pipeline of work across the Wairoa region, this is an exciting opportunity to be part of a high-performing team delivering a variety of civil infrastructure projects.

This is a hands-on role that combines plant operation with general civil construction activities. You'll work across a range of projects, supporting crews to safely deliver quality outcomes while contributing to a positive team environment.

What you’ll be doing

• Operating excavators and other civil construction plant and equipment
• Assisting with earthworks, roading, drainage, and general civil construction activities
• Loading, unloading, and moving materials around site
• Carrying out excavations, trenching, backfilling, and reinstatement works
• Reading and working from plans and site instructions
• Conducting pre-start checks and maintaining plant and equipment to a high standard
• Working closely with Forepersons and Project Teams to ensure efficient project delivery
• Following all health, safety, environmental, and quality requirements
• Assisting with traffic management and site establishment activities when required
• Contributing to a positive team culture and safe working environment

What you’ll bring

• Proven experience operating excavators and civil construction plant
• Full Class 2 Licence and WTR endorsements
• Experience working within civil construction, roading, earthworks, or infrastructure environments
• Strong commitment to health and safety
• Good communication skills and a team-focused attitude
• Reliable, hardworking, and willing to assist with labouring duties when required
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions
• Physical fitness and the ability to undertake manual work
• Class 4 Licence is advantageous
• Experience in 3-waters drainage excavation and installation works is advantageous but not essential

Why Join the Green Team?

• Competitive hourly rate
• Permanent role with guaranteed 40 hours per week
• Ongoing training and development opportunities
• Opportunity to gain additional licences and qualifications
• Supportive team culture where everyone looks out for each other
• KiwiSaver employer contribution matched up to 4%
• Z fuel discounts, including a monthly free pie and coffee
• Great benefits for you and your whānau

Higgins is a leading construction and infrastructure company, proudly building and maintaining roads, bridges, and civil projects that connect communities across New Zealand. With a strong focus on safety, quality, and sustainability, we deliver projects that make a real difference. At Higgins, you’ll join a team that values collaboration, innovation, and career growth – because we believe our people are the foundation of our success.

We're with you on the road ahead

We are actively looking to fill this role and encourage your early application. Applications are reviewed regularly, and we reserve the right to remove the advertisement before the advertised closing date.

Research shows that females and minority groups don’t always apply for roles unless they match 100% of the requirements. So, if this role is of interest but you feel you don’t quite fit, we encourage you to apply anyway. We are enriched by many nationalities, languages, religions, customs, and lifestyles. We are proud of our diversity and see it as one of the things that make us better together.