Trade Assistant - Ohakea

PAE; RNZAF Base Ohakea Transmitting Station; On-site; NZD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

PAE is recruiting a Trades Assistant for RNZAF Ohakea to support maintenance across facilities and infrastructure. The role runs Monday to Friday, 40 hours weekly, delivering hands-on support alongside skilled tradespeople to keep critical environments safe and operational.

You’ll assist with planned and reactive maintenance, HVAC tasks, and site upkeep, while ensuring work is completed safely and efficiently in a collaborative team setting. Eligibility for security clearances may apply.

Qualifications

• Experience in a maintenance, trades assistant, or operational support environment.
• Ability to safely undertake physical work activities.
• Good communication and customer service skills.
• Confidence using mobile technology and work management systems.
• A proactive and reliable approach to work.
• Strong attention to detail and willingness to learn.
• Ability to work independently and manage competing priorities.
• A positive team-focused attitude.
• Full New Zealand Driver Licence.
• Ability to obtain and maintain required security clearances, including Ministry of Justice checks.
• Experience supporting facilities maintenance or relevant health and safety certifications would be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Assist trades personnel with planned and reactive maintenance activities.
• Undertake labouring, manual handling, and general maintenance support tasks.
• Support preventative maintenance programmes across building services and infrastructure.
• Assist with routine HVAC maintenance activities, including filter cleaning and replacement.
• Maintain tools, equipment, workshops, storage areas, and vehicles.
• Accurately update work orders and maintenance records using work management systems.

Skills

Maintenance experience

Physical work ability

Communication and customer service

Mobility tech proficiency

Proactive and reliable

Attention to detail

Independent work with priorities

Team-focused attitude

NZ Driver Licence

Security clearance readiness

Education

Health and safety certifications

Job description

For more than 30 years, PAE has proudly partnered with the New Zealand Defence Force, delivering facilities and asset management services that keep critical environments operating effectively.

As a proudly iwi-owned organisation, we embrace our role as kaitiaki of the environments and communities we support. Our approach is grounded in manaakitanga, building strong relationships based on respect, care, and collaboration.

We are currently seeking a Trades Assistant to join our team in RNZAF Ohakea. Monday-Friday 40 hours per week.

If you're looking for a hands-on role where no two days are the same, this is a fantastic opportunity. You'll work alongside skilled tradespeople supporting maintenance activities across a range of facilities and infrastructure, helping ensure critical environments remain safe, operational, and well-maintained.

About the Role

In this role, you'll provide practical support to trades teams delivering planned and reactive maintenance services across customer sites. You'll assist with general maintenance, preventative maintenance programmes, HVAC support activities, site upkeep, and operational tasks while contributing to high-quality service delivery.

Working as part of a supportive team, you'll help maintain facilities, equipment, and work environments while ensuring work is completed safely, efficiently, and to a high standard.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist trades personnel with planned and reactive maintenance activities
• Undertake labouring, manual handling, and general maintenance support tasks
• Support preventative maintenance programmes across building services and infrastructure
• Assist with routine HVAC maintenance activities, including filter cleaning and replacement
• Maintain tools, equipment, workshops, storage areas, and vehicles
• Accurately update work orders and maintenance records using work management systems

To be successful in this role, you'll bring:

• Experience in a maintenance, trades assistant, or operational support environment
• Ability to safely undertake physical work activities
• Good communication and customer service skills
• Confidence using mobile technology and work management systems
• A proactive and reliable approach to work
• Strong attention to detail and willingness to learn
• Ability to work independently and manage competing priorities
• A positive team-focused attitude
• Full New Zealand Driver Licence
• Ability to obtain and maintain required security clearances, including Ministry of Justice checks

Experience supporting facilities maintenance or relevant health and safety certifications would be advantageous.

Why Join PAE?

• Work alongside experienced and supportive trades teams
• Gain exposure to a wide variety of facilities and maintenance activities
• Enjoy opportunities to develop your skills and industry knowledge
• Be part of an organisation committed to safety, teamwork, and continuous improvement
• Contribute to maintaining critical infrastructure that supports New Zealand Defence Force operations