Supervisor – Underground

Northpower; Palmerston North; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

People-first culture

Life insurance

Learning & development

KiwiSaver employer contributions

Wellness programs

Job summary

Northpower in Palmerston North is seeking an Underground Supervisor to lead day-to-day underground electricity distribution work, including construction, maintenance, fault response and customer projects. You will own safety, drive site discipline, coach field crews, and coordinate resources across projects.

Bring extensive underground distribution experience, HV/LV knowledge, and proven leadership. EWRB registration or progression, and a current NZ Class 1 license are expected.

Qualifications

• Extensive electricity distribution experience, underground construction/maintenance.
• Experience supervising electrical, cable jointing and/or civil crews.
• Strong HV/LV network knowledge: installation, jointing, fault response.
• Proven leadership and people management skills.
• Strong planning, organisation and communication, able to work under pressure.
• Good safety understanding and knowledge of regulations and network requirements.
• Experience working with Project Managers, customers, contractors and stakeholders.
• EWRB registration or working towards.
• Electrical Inspector certification or working towards.
• HV switching competencies.
• Current NZ Class 1 driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate crews, resources and subcontractors for underground construction and maintenance.
• Lead field crews with coaching, mentoring and technical guidance.
• Coordinate labour, materials, permits, and equipment to ensure readiness before work.
• Work with Project Managers and other teams to align programmes and delivery.
• Oversee outage planning, switching, landowner liaison, and site prep.
• Monitor productivity, quality, schedule and cost performance.
• Support emergency restoration and storm response as needed.
• Identify opportunities to improve safety and delivery processes.

Skills

Underground construction

Crew supervision

HV/LV knowledge

Leadership

Planning & coordination

Safety & compliance

Stakeholder coordination

EWRB registration

Electrical Inspector in training

NZ Class 1 license

Technical qualification Level 4+

Education

Technical qualification Level 4+

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 16th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

Northpower – Palmerston North, North Island

We’re looking for an Underground Supervisor to join our teamand take ownership of the day-to-day delivery of underground electricitydistribution work across construction, maintenance, fault response and customerprojects. This is a hands‑on leadership role where your technical knowledge,planning ability and people leadership will make a real difference in thefield. You’ll be a visible leader in the field and someone who sets thestandard for how work is carried out. We'relooking for someone who takes genuine ownership ofsafety, is comfortable challenging unsafe practices and understands that goodleadership starts with being present and engaged with the team. You’ll leadtoolbox meetings, safety observations and site audits, support incidentinvestigations and make sure corrective actions are followed through. Just asimportantly, you’ll help build a positive team culture where people takeownership, look out for each other and take pride in the work they deliver.

Role Responsibilities:

You’ll be responsible for coordinating crews, resources andsubcontractors to ensure underground construction, maintenance, renewals andfault response work is properly planned and delivered safely, efficiently andto a high standard. The role involves leading and supporting field crews byproviding coaching, mentoring and technical guidance, while coordinatinglabour, subcontractors, materials, plant and equipment to ensure teams haveeverything they need before work commences, including required materials,equipment, permits and site requirements. You'llwork closely with Project Managers, Designers,Schedulers and other operational teams to coordinate work programmes and ensureeffective delivery. Responsibilities include coordinating outage planning andswitching requirements, ensuring B4UDig requirements, landowner liaison andsite preparation are completed, checking switching packs, and ensuringeffective job handovers to field teams. You’ll also monitor productivity,quality, programme delivery and cost performance to ensure work is completed efficientlyand in line with project requirements. Therole will also involve supporting emergency restorationand storm response activities when required, ensuring project documentation andcompletion paperwork is accurate and completed on time. You’ll be expected toidentify and implement opportunities to improve safety, work practices,processes and overall operational delivery, contributing to a positive safetyculture and the continuous improvement of field operations.

Experience & Qualifications

• Extensive electricity distribution experience, particularlyunderground construction and maintenance
• Experience supervising electrical, cable jointing and/orcivil crews
• Strong HV/LV network knowledge, including cableinstallation, jointing and fault response
• Proven leadership and people management skills
• Strong planning, organisation and communication skills,with the ability to work under pressure
• Good understanding of safety, industry regulations andnetwork requirements
• Experience working with Project Managers, customers,contractors and other stakeholders
• EWRB registration or working towards
• Electrical Inspector certification or working towards
• HV switching competencies
• Current NZ Class 1 driver’s licence
• Relevant Level 4 or above technical qualification

What Northpower Offers You:

Make real impact across Aotearoa in a stable and future‑focused sector. AtNorthpower, you’ll do work that matters and powers our communities whilegrowing your career in an organisation that genuinely cares for its people.

• A people‑first culture built on safety, inclusion, and deep care, wherecontributions are recognised and wellbeing is supported through EAP and ouraward‑winning peer support network (Kaitiaki)
• Fair and market competitive pay Private use vehicle, with theflexibility to tailor through additional leave and increased employer KiwiSavercontributions
• Life insurance and preventative health initiatives (including annual fluimmunisations and Mole Maps)
• Discounted group medical cover and health and fitness programmes (includingFitness Passport)
• Discounted fuel rates plus a range of retail discounts (including Boost, PBTech and Specsavers)
• Ongoing learning and development, with clear career pathways to help you grow,specialise, or progress
• A welcoming, family‑friendly workplace where people are encouraged to bethemselves and feel valued

About Northpower

Northpower is an organisation with deep regional roots and national reach. Weown and operate the electricity and fibre networks across Whangārei andKaipara, delivering essential infrastructure to more than 60,000 connectedcustomers, while also operating one of New Zealand’s largest multi‑utilitycontracting businesses.
From keeping the lights on today to building the infrastructure that will powertomorrow, our work spans electricity, fibre, renewables, transmission, andenergy services. With more than 1,400 people across 16 locations, we act as oneto support our communities, customers, clients, and critical nationalinfrastructure across Aotearoa.
What connects all this work is real impact you can see in your community. Thework you do at Northpower matters it is seen, felt, and relied on every day.