Structures Inspector

KiwiRail Freight; Wellington; On-site; NZD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

NZ Rail Staff Welfare Trust benefits

Discounts on rail travel and services

Diverse and inclusive workplace

Job summary

KiwiRail Freight is seeking a Structures Inspector to audit and inspect civil infrastructure assets in the Wellington region. You will assess timber, concrete, masonry and steel structures, diagnose faults, and develop work plans to monitor safety and code compliance.

The role requires leadership, autonomy, and strong knowledge of engineering standards, with hands-on inspections, reporting, and on-site presence.

Qualifications

• Secondary School or equivalent NCEA Level 2 Mathematics and English.
• HT Class 2 License or eligible to obtain this class of licence
• Carpentry, Building Trades or related trade certification

Responsibilities

• Undertake structures inspections and reports to prescribed standards and within prescribed timeframes.
• Diagnose and report existing and potential structure faults, defects and irregularities.
• Apply and monitor speed restrictions, and recommend alterations/removals where needed for structures works or defects.
• Carry out emergency repairs.
• Liaise with Train Control and network planners regarding train running; arrange track possessions as required.
• Monitor work quality and initiate action to prevent or correct non-conformances.
• Provide technical guidance and leadership to structures field staff.
• Plan short- and medium-term work and motivate inspectorate teams.
• Attend incidents and emergencies, including after hours as required.
• Document work activities clearly and file appropriately.
• Comply with rail safety standards and statutory requirements.
• Prioritize safety for self, colleagues, contractors and the public.
• Identify/report safety or environmental hazards to the manager.
• Adhere to H&S requirements and promote wellbeing.
• Report accidents/incidents within one hour to supervisor.
• Complete on-the-job training and attend required courses.
• Develop on-job competencies for the position.
• Provide data/reports to Field Production Manager Structures or Engineering team.
• Be prepared to work at heights.
• Contribute to toolbox meetings and team decisions.
• Maintain customer service focus and professional behavior with stakeholders.
• Carry out any other duties as required.
• Contribute to a positive team environment.
• Knowledge of timber, steel and concrete structures.
• Computer skills – Email, Word and Excel.
• Background in construction Health and Safety processes.
• Understand and apply engineering codes and standards for structures.
• Demonstrate leadership and influencing skills.
• Ability to work autonomously and be methodical.

Skills

Structures knowledge

Leadership

Autonomy

Methodical

Construction H&S

Engineering standards

Team communication

Documentation

Education

Secondary/NCEA Level 2 Math & English

HT Class 2 Licence or eligible

Carpentry/Building trades cert

Tools

Email

Word

Excel

Job description

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert:

• Ensure safety, integrity and performance
• Forward-thinking people leadership
• Permanent, Wellington based

At KiwiRail, we connect New Zealanders sustainably, powering economic growth and ensuring vital freight and passenger services run smoothly. Our mission, "Stronger Connections, Better New Zealand," highlights our dedication to sustainability and community well-being.

Our people make KiwiRail exceptional. By fostering a diverse, inclusive, and supportive workplace, we empower everyone to contribute their best. If you’re passionate about innovation and safety, we’d love to welcome you aboard.

The role involves physically carrying out audits and inspections of KIWIRAIL’s civil infrastructure assets, including timber, concrete, masonry and steel structures, earthworks and retaining walls. The purpose of these audits and inspections is to: pro-actively monitor safety and code compliance; diagnose existing and potential faults and defects; develop work plans and monitor progress against the plans.

Accountabilities include:

• Undertake structures inspections and reports to prescribed standards and within prescribed timeframes.
• Diagnose and report existing and potential structure faults, defects and irregularities.
• Apply and monitor speed restrictions, recommend alteration and removal of speed restrictions required for structures works or defects.
• Carry out emergency repairs.
• Liaise with Train Control and network planners regarding train running and structures activities. Arrange track possessions when required.
• Monitor work quality and initiate action required to prevent and/or make good any non- conformances.
• Communicate and provide technical guidance and leadership to structures field staff to assist in structures works.
• Carry out short and medium term work planning for, and motivate the work gangs in the inspectorate area.
• Attend incidents and emergency events as required (including out of hours attendance.)
• Ensure you clearly document your work activities and established files are clearly identified and filed correctly
• Responsible for complying with all rail safety system standards, procedures and statutory requirements within your area of responsibility
• Responsible for your own safety and that of other rail employees, contractors and visitors within your work environment
• Responsible for the identification, reporting and initial control of any safety or environmental hazard identified within your area to your immediate manager
• Adhere to Kiwirail’s health and safety requirements and take responsible for maintaining a proactive approach regarding both personal wellbeing as well as that of fellow employees, associated client personnel, sub-contractors and members of the public.
• Report all accidents and incidents to your immediate supervisor within one hour.
• Undertake On the Job Training for the set designation plus attend training courses run by company. or external agencies where required to fulfil requirements of the position
• Acquire on job training competencies set for position
• Provide data and reports to the Field Production Manager Structures or Production Manager and structures engineering team to assist in preparation of compliance reports and other special information requests.
• Be prepared to work at heights as a core activity.
• Contribute to team decisions and Tool Box Meetings
• Maintain a customer service focus and display professional behaviour when dealing with, associated client personnel, sub-contractors and members of the public.
• Such other duties and responsibilities as the Company may require from time to time.
• Contribute to a positive team working environment
• Knowledge of timber, steel and concrete structure
• Computer skills – Email, Word and Excel
• Background in construction Health and Safety processes
• Understand and be familiar with engineering codes and standards covering structures
• Competent leadership and influencing skills
• Able to work autonomously
• Methodical and accurate

Qualifications

• Secondary School or equivalent NCEA Level 2 Mathematics and English.
• HT Class 2 License or eligible to obtain this class of licence
• Carpentry, Building Trades or related trade certification

Nōu te rourou | What's in it for you:

• Access to join NZ Rail Staff Welfare Trust where you will enjoy a range of benefits including access to holiday homes across New Zealand, as well as support for optometry, physiotherapy, GP services and prescription costs
• A wide range of discounts at retailers and on scenic trains and Interislander
• Be part of a diverse and inclusive workplace dedicated to innovation, sustainability and community impact

Kua rite, kia rite | Ready to Make a Difference?