Treatment Controller

New Zealand Government; Wellington; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Wellbeing programme

Professional development opportunities

5 weeks annual leave after 2 years

Job summary

Tiaki Wai (a council-owned organisation) is seeking a Treatment Controller to provide operational oversight of water and wastewater assets in the Wellington region from our Petone office, Lower Hutt. You will lead risk management and coordinate responses to incidents to safeguard public health, the environment, and service continuity.

You will influence treatment strategy, manage planned shutdowns, and work with councils and emergency agencies to strengthen contingency planning and emergency

Qualifications

• Relevant engineering qualification (degree or NZCE) required.
• Significant experience across three waters networks with operations management.
• Expertise in operational risk management, mitigation and contingency planning.
• Experience in emergency response and incident management.
• Experience managing infrastructure projects and understanding their operational impacts.

Responsibilities

• provide operational oversight and decision-making authority for critical treatment assets, ensuring safe, reliable and compliant water services
• lead risk management for the Treatment and Controls Systems group, identifying and mitigating operational risks and strengthening contingency planning and emergency readiness
• oversee planned shutdowns and operational changes, ensuring risks to treatment performance, customers and the environment are effectively managed
• coordinate responses to significant incidents and emergencies, working closely with internal teams, councils and emergency management agencies
• influence strategic planning, water shortage risk management and continuous improvement while building strong relationships across the organisation.

Skills

Operational risk management

Emergency response

Incident management

Leadership

Education

Engineering degree or NZCE

Job description

Play a critical role in protecting Wellington's drinking water supplyInfluence operational decisions and treatment risk management at scaleJoin a collaborative team supporting essential water infrastructureThis is a full-time position of 40 hours per week.Position based in our Petone office, Lower Hutt.The opportunityThis is a significant opportunity to take on a highly influential role within Tiaki Wai's Treatment and Control Systems Group, helping safeguard the reliability, safety and resilience of Wellington's essential water services.As Treatment Controller, you'll provide operational oversight of critical water and wastewater treatment assets, ensuring decisions are managed carefully to protect public health, the environment, and service continuity. You'll be a key authority in treatment risk management, providing specialist advice and direction on operational decisions, planned shutdowns, incidents and emergency preparedness.Shape treatment operations and strategy with an experienced leadership team. Work with councils, emergency management agencies and internal teams to manage risk and prepare Wellington for major incidents.With broad organisational visibility and responsibility for critical operational decisions, this role lets your technical expertise, judgement, and leadership make a genuine difference to the communities we serve.You will:provide operational oversight and decision-making authority for critical treatment assets, ensuring safe, reliable and compliant water serviceslead risk management for the Treatment and Controls Systems group, identifying and mitigating operational risks and strengthening contingency planning and emergency readinessoversee planned shutdowns and operational changes, ensuring risks to treatment performance, customers and the environment are effectively managedcoordinate responses to significant incidents and emergencies, working closely with internal teams, councils and emergency management agenciesinfluence strategic planning, water shortage risk management and continuous improvement while building strong relationships across the organisation.About youTo be successful in this role, you will bring:a relevant engineering qualification, either a degree or New Zealand Certificate in Engineering (NZCE)significant experience across three waters networks, with a strong understanding of operational management and service deliverydemonstrated expertise in operational risk management, mitigation and contingency planningexperience in emergency response and incident management, with the ability to make sound decisions in complex or high-pressure situationsexperience managing infrastructure projects and understanding their operational impacts.BenefitsAt 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:comprehensive wellbeing programme, including one paid wellbeing day annuallyformal and informal professional development opportunities5 weeks annual leave accrual will be available following 2 years of continual service.For a full list of our employee benefits, click here.About usTiaki 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.Applications close: 23rd November 2026.How to applyTo view a copy of the position description, click here.To apply for the role, click on the 'apply' button or visit the Tiaki Wai Careers site, if you are a Tiaki Wai employee please apply using your work email.For further information, email: [e-mail] for safety sensitive roles will be required to undergo drug and alcohol testing prior to commencing employment with Tiaki Wai. You must also be legally entitled to work long-term in New Zealand or eligible to obtain a working visa.