Vegetation Control Operator

Downer; Invercargill City; On-site; NZD 52,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Permanent role

40 hours per week

Training & certifications

Health discounts & wellbeing

Job summary

Downer is seeking a Vegetation Control Operator in Invercargill to manage roadside vegetation and noxious weeds across the Foveaux network using agrichemical applications. You will operate spray equipment, identify plant species, and select herbicides, ensuring work is completed safely and to high standards.

Responsibilities include maintenance tasks, road inspections, and responding to emergencies. A strong commitment to health, safety and environmental best practice is essential.

Qualifications

• Must have Full Class 2 Driver Licence and be able to operate agrichemical sprayers safely.
• Growsafe or equivalent certification preferred for herbicide handling.
• Experience in vegetation management or outdoor operational environments is essential.

Responsibilities

• Manage roadside vegetation and noxious weeds across the Foveaux roading network.
• Operate spray equipment, identify target species, and select appropriate herbicides.
• Complete spraying activities safely and to contract specifications.
• Perform cyclic maintenance: road inspections, minor repairs, trimming, aquatic weed control.
• Respond to emergency events and after-hours callouts when required.
• Maintain equipment and complete operational reporting for the region.

Skills

Full Class 2 Driver Licence

Growsafe Certificate

Herbicide application

Independent worker

Road maintenance experience

Health and safety mindset

Communication

Education

National Certificate in Agrichemical Application

Job description

We have an exciting opportunity to join our Transport and Infrastructure business as a Vegetation Control Operator based in Invercargill.

At Downer we plan, create and sustain. Downer is the leading provider of integrated services in Australia and New Zealand. Through trusted relationships and world leading insight we work closely with our customers to design, build and sustain assets, infrastructure, and facilities.

The Opportunity

We have an exciting opportunity to join our Transport and Infrastructure business as a Vegetation Control Operator based in Invercargill. In this role, you will be responsible for managing roadside vegetation and noxious weeds across the Foveaux roading network using agrichemical application techniques that meet contract specifications and environmental requirements. You will operate spray equipment, identify target plant species, select appropriate herbicides, and ensure all spraying activities are completed safely, accurately, and to a high standard. This is a varied, hands-on position that also includes cyclic maintenance duties such as road inspections, minor repairs, vegetation trimming, aquatic weed control, and responding to emergency events. You'll work independently across the network, maintain plant and equipment, complete operational reporting, and contribute to keeping the region's roads safe and accessible for the community.

Important Skills

• Current Full Class 2 Driver Licence
• Growsafe Certificate and/or experience in herbicide application
• Experience operating spray equipment and handling agrichemicals safely
• Ability to identify vegetation species and select appropriate treatment methods
• Experience in road maintenance, vegetation management, or a similar outdoor operational environment
• Strong commitment to health, safety, and environmental best practice
• Good communication, record-keeping, and reporting skills
• Ability to work independently, use initiative, and manage daily workloads
• Experience with chainsaws, hedge trimmers, or vegetation control equipment is advantageous
• National Certificate in Agrichemical Application (or willingness to obtain) is highly regarded
• Availability to respond to emergency events and after-hours callouts when required

Why you will enjoy working here

Downer is committed to delivering excellence by ensuring our people have the environment and the means to be successful. We offer you the opportunity to join a supportive team culture while helping maintain essential infrastructure and roadside environments across Southland.

We also offer:

• Guaranteed minimum 40 hours per week, permanent opportunity
• Access to ongoing training, development and industry certification opportunities
• Discounts for healthcare, retail, and banking services
• A workplace that values safety, wellbeing, diversity and inclusion
• Free access to Marram health care benefits and employee assistance programmes

The reference number for this role is 736708

Downer Group is an employer that acknowledges and embraces the importance of our people's diverse experiences, talents, and cultures. As an inclusive employer, we welcome applications from everyone.

Please note: The successful candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment drug and alcohol test, medical assessment, and reference checks.