Overview
Introduction: Are you ready to trade the hustle and bustle for rugged landscapes, pristine rivers, and a tight-knit community?
We're seeking a Water Treatment Plant Operator to operate and maintain essential water infrastructure. You'll be part of a dedicated team ensuring safe, reliable water services across one of New Zealand's most breathtaking regions.
What we offer:
- Competitive salary - commensurate with experience and qualifications
- Relocation assistance - including moving costs up to $10K, 4 weeks temporary accommodation, and support settling in
- Professional development - ongoing training and certification opportunities
- Work-life balance - flexible hours and leave entitlements
- We match up to 4% Kiwisaver from day one, then pay 6% after five years' service
- We support our people with free access to a confidential Employee Assistance Programme
- Lifestyle perks - live minutes from beaches, forests, and mountains
Why the West Coast?
- Live surrounded by rainforests, mountains, and beaches
- Enjoy a slower pace of life with affordable living and a strong community spirit
- Be part of a region that values environmental stewardship and innovation
- Enjoy significantly lower housing costs compared to major urban centres, making home ownership or comfortable renting more achievable
Whether you're seeking adventure, a lifestyle change, or a meaningful role in a vital industry - this is your chance to make a real impact
What you'll do
- Operate and maintain water treatment systems to ensure safe, high-quality water for our Grey District communities
- Monitor plant performance, conduct routine testing, and troubleshoot issues
- Work alongside a dedicated team committed to sustainability and public health
Work tasks
- Monitor water supply across the network
- Routine maintenance of plant
- Testing and treatment of water supplies
- Notification to consumers of emergencies and problems
- Ensure adherence to Company policy and compliance with Health and Safety in all tasks
- Adherence to road safety and temporary traffic management requirements as per issued Work Instructions and the Transit New Zealand Code of Practice for Temporary Traffic Management
- Other duties or tasks throughout the West Coast as required
Procedures
- Understand and apply the Grey District Council's contract specifications
- Understand and apply WTP procedures
- Suggest improvements
Water samples
- Delivery On time to labs - No later than 6-12 hours after sample was taken (or as per prevailing guidelines)
- Apply correct sampling techniques
- Package samples securely
- Maintain temperature below sample temperature (or as per prevailing guidelines)
Manage WTP chemicals
- Monitor usage
- Check weight weekly and update records
- Report when Chlorine is below 900kg to Supervisor
Report/Record timely
- Report any issues or potential issues immediately to Utilities Supervisor
- Report all failures as per contract specification to Utilities Supervisor
- Record each visit and complete WTPs documents
Complete Documents accurately and timely
- Sample 3 times a week (or as per prevailing guidelines)
- Follow testing regimen of Ecoli / pH / Turbidity / Facs
- Monitor and record chemical usage
- Monitor and record pump running hours
- Keep HAZ Chem register up to date on Notice Board
Monitoring pumps
- Report issues immediately
- Document running time
Skills and Experiences
What you'll bring:
- Experience in water treatment operations or a related technical field
- Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail
- A proactive attitude and willingness to contribute to a small, high-performing team
- National Certificate in Drinking Water Treatment Level 4 (Essential)
- National Certificate in Drinking Water Treatment Level 5 (Preferred)
- Experience in operation and maintenance of water facilities
- Able to work independently, within a team, and under pressure
- Competent in the use of computers and relevant software
- Class 2 Driver Licence
To apply for this vacancy, you MUST be eligible to work in New Zealand. You must also undertake a Ministry of Justice background check, and pass pre-employment Drug & Alcohol testing.