Water Treatment Technician

Palmerston North City Council; Palmerston North; On-site; NZD 79,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Manawatū-Whanganui is seeking a Water Treatment Technician to ensure the safe and efficient operation of drinking water treatment plants. The role involves monitoring processes, conducting tests, and maintaining compliance with water quality standards. The ideal candidate will have relevant experience and a National Certificate in Water Treatment. This full-time position offers competitive remuneration and multiple benefits, including 5 weeks of annual leave.

Benefits

5 weeks annual leave

Ongoing professional development

Competitive remuneration package

Qualifications

• Minimum 4 years’ experience operating and maintaining treatment facilities.
• Full NZ driver’s licence required.
• Willingness to work outside normal hours when required.

Responsibilities

• Operate and monitor water treatment processes and equipment.
• Conduct routine inspections, sampling, and testing.
• Perform maintenance and troubleshoot plant systems.
• Maintain accurate records and uphold health and safety standards.

Skills

Problem-solving

Mechanical aptitude

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Education

National Certificate in Water Treatment (or equivalent)

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Why join us?

• Make a Difference: Contribute to the development of Palmerston North City while enjoying a fulfilling career that positively impacts our community
• Professional Growth: Elevate your career through a range of Learning and Development opportunities at Palmerston North City Council.
• Benefits: We do more than just pay you a salary too. We have awesome benefits to support you including 5 weeks annual leave.

About the role

We’re a close-knit, high-performing team responsible for the daily operation of Palmerston North’s drinking water supply. With a strong culture of collaboration and support, we’re looking for a motivated individual to join us and help deliver safe, reliable drinking water to our community.

If you're passionate about protecting public health and the environment, this is your opportunity to be part of a team that manages one of life’s most vital necessities - drinking water.

As a Water Treatment Technician, you’ll play a key role in the efficient operation of our treatment plants. You’ll monitor systems, conduct tests, and perform maintenance to ensure compliance with New Zealand’s Drinking Water Quality Assurance Rules.

This is a permanent, full-time role working 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday, plus on-call responsibilities as rostered.

Your focus in this role will include:

• Operate and monitor water treatment processes and equipment
• Conduct routine inspections, sampling, and testing
• Perform maintenance and troubleshoot plant systems
• Maintain accurate records and uphold health and safety standards
• Participate in an on-call roster and respond to operational issues

What we are looking for:

• Relevant industry experience
• National Certificate in Water Treatment (or equivalent experience)
• Minimum 4 years’ experience operating and maintaining treatment facilities
• Strong problem-solving and mechanical aptitude
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Full NZ driver’s licence
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Willingness to work outside normal hours when required
• Competency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and relevant systems

About us

Palmerston North (or as we like to call it, Palmy) is a growing, innovative and exciting city. With small city benefits and big city ambition, Palmy has secured its place on the map as a creative and exciting city, with leading innovation and developments! We’re proud to be a city that includes, supports, connects and uses the talents of the whole community in our pursuit to provide a connected and safe community. We’re also a future-focused city who cares about enhancing our natural and built environment. Our future looks bright, it looks vibrant and progressive.

What we offer:

• Competitive remuneration package including base salary, standby and loading allowances of between $79,911 and $94,019, with a 3% KiwiSaver employer contribution (where eligible)
• A supportive, safety-focused work environment
• Ongoing professional development
• Opportunities for career progression
• 5 weeks annual leave and a community service day
• Long service leave after qualifying periods
• Free annual flu vaccinations and subsidised health and eye checks every 2 years
• The chance to work on a variety of water treatment systems, including two large-scale dams supplying the city
• Supportive wellbeing initiatives and confidential counselling services

Applications close: 11.00 pm, Tuesday 28 October 2025

We are an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and welcome applications from all those suitably qualified for this position.