Water Services Operator

Alliance Group Limited; Oamaru; On-site; NZD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Alliance Group Limited in Otago's Pukeuri area is seeking an Environmental Operator for our Water and Wastewater treatment operations. You’ll monitor and test treatment processes, respond to alarms, perform routine maintenance and maintain safety, reliability and environmental compliance.

This hands-on role suits you if you have practical mechanical aptitude, basic computer skills and a drive to progress relevant qualifications.

Qualifications

• A NZ Certificate in Water/Wastewater Treatment (Level 4) or willingness to pursue the relevant qualification.
• Experience in water, wastewater, or industrial plant operations is advantageous.
• Basic sampling, testing, monitoring and record keeping is expected.

Responsibilities

• Keep Water Treatment and Wastewater Plants running safely and in compliance.
• Perform routine plant checks, process adjustments, sampling and accurate records.
• Use SCADA and instrumentation to track performance and respond to alarms.
• Manage treatment chemicals, dosing systems, pumps and valves with care.
• Monitor wastewater processes including pumping, aeration, sludge handling and irrigation systems.
• Identify faults early and coordinate with maintenance teams.
• Respond quickly to non-compliance, spills or environmental incidents.
• Support after-hours or on-call response when required.

Skills

Mechanical aptitude

Computer literacy

SCADA familiarity

Communication

Teamwork

Safety awareness

Education

NZ Certificate in Water Treatment/ Wastewater Treatment (Level 4)

Willingness to pursue relevant qualification

Job description

Environmental Operator – Water & Wastewater Treatment

Pukeuri | Join our essential Water / Wastewater treatment operations and help protect our environment every day

Make an impact from day one

Put your practical skills to work in a role that keeps critical water and wastewater systems running safely, reliably and in line with environmental requirements.

As our Environmental Operator at Pukeuri, you’ll take an active role in treatment plant performance—from monitoring and testing to fault response and routine maintenance. Every shift, your decisions will support essential site operations, protect water quality and contribute to strong environmental outcomes.

What You’ll Own

• Keep our Water Treatment Plant and Wastewater Treatment Plant running safely, reliably and in line with site procedures, quality standards and resource consent requirements.
• Take ownership of routine plant checks, process adjustments, backwashing, sampling, testing and accurate operational records.
• Use SCADA and local instrumentation to track performance, respond decisively to alarms and elevate abnormal conditions without delay.
• Manage treatment chemicals, dosing systems, pumps, valves, pipelines and associated equipment with care and precision.
• Monitor the full wastewater process, including pumping, screening, aeration, clarification, sludge handling, lagoons and irrigation systems.
• Spot faults, leaks and maintenance needs early, complete basic operator maintenance, and work closely with maintenance teams and contractors.
• Act quickly on potential non‑compliance, spills, unusual results or environmental incidents.
• Support after‑hours or on‑call response arrangements when required.

What Will Set You Up For Success

• A New Zealand Certificate in Water Treatment and/or Wastewater Treatment (Level 4), or the drive to work towards the relevant qualification.
• Experience in water, wastewater, industrial processing or treatment plant operations would be an advantage.
• Confidence with routine sampling, testing, process monitoring and accurate record keeping.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and a practical approach to pumps, valves, pipework, treatment equipment and instrumentation.
• Basic computer skills and the ability to learn SCADA and electronic record systems.
• A full New Zealand driver licence; relevant additional licences or endorsements would be an advantage.
• Clear communication, sound judgement and a collaborative approach to solving problems.
• An uncompromising commitment to health, safety and environmental compliance.

Work that matters

This is more than a plant operations role. You’ll help protect water quality, maintain environmental compliance and keep critical infrastructure performing at its best. It’s practical, purposeful work where you can grow specialist capability and see the difference you make every day.

How You’ll Thrive

You’ll bring ownership, curiosity and a calm, practical approach. You’ll focus on what matters, communicate clearly, work well with others and keep looking for safer, smarter and more reliable ways to operate.

Ready to make your mark?

If you’re safety-focused, mechanically minded and ready to build specialist expertise in water and wastewater treatment, we want to hear from you.

Applicants must have the legal right to work in New Zealand and will be required to complete relevant pre‑employment checks connected to the role.