Engineering Technician - Operations

E ngā iwi, e ngā karangatanga huri noa i te motu, tēnei te mihi atu ki a koutou katoa. He īnoi tēnei ki a koe. Tono mai ki tētahi tūnga ki te Kaunihera o Ōtautahi

Looking for a New Challenge? Bring Your Skills Into the Water Industry

We recognise that great operators and technicians come from a wide range of industries and backgrounds. If you have transferable skills from industrial operations, manufacturing, process plant, utilities, mechanical maintenance, electrical, chemical handling, food processing, refrigeration, mining, dairy, wastewater, or other technical field-based environments, we encourage you to apply. Experience in drinking water treatment is not essential, as full training and ongoing development will be provided to support the successful transition into New Zealand’s growing and essential water industry. We’re looking for practical, safety focused people with strong mechanical aptitude, problem solving skills, and a willingness to learn.

About the team | Ko te rōpū nei

The Three Waters team is responsible for delivering safe, reliable drinking water to communities across Christchurch and Banks Peninsula. The Network Operations team works at the frontline of this service, operating and maintaining water treatment systems that protect public health and ensure compliance with drinking water standards.

You’ll be part of a field‑based, technically skilled, and safety‑focused team that works closely with engineers, EI&C specialists, laboratory staff, asset managers, and network controllers to keep essential water treatment infrastructure operating effectively around the clock.

About the role | Ko te mahi nei

This is a critical public health role with a strong hands‑on focus. As an Engineering Technician – Operations, you’ll be responsible for the safe, reliable, compliant, and efficient operation and maintenance of Council’s drinking water treatment systems.

The role includes both routine operations and responsive fieldwork, ensuring water treatment processes perform as required and any issues are identified and addressed quickly.

Key Responsibilities Include

• Operating, monitoring, and maintaining water treatment systems, including chlorination and associated infrastructure
• Conducting routine inspections, performance checks, and system adjustments to maintain required treatment outcomes
• Undertaking preventative and reactive maintenance on treatment plant equipment, pumps, analysers, and related assets
• Safely handling, transporting, and managing treatment chemicals in line with hazardous substances requirements
• Carrying out water quality monitoring, field testing, and supporting sampling programmes
• Accurately recording operational and maintenance data in SAP and other systems
• Responding to equipment faults, water quality issues, and operational incidents, including participation in a standby roster

This role plays a direct and important part in protecting the city’s drinking water supply and supporting community wellbeing.

About you | Ko Koe Tēnei

You’re a practical, reliable, and safety‑focused technician who enjoys working in the field and being hands‑on with plant and equipment. You take pride in doing quality work and understand the importance of accuracy, compliance, and attention to detail in a public health environment.

You’ll Bring

• Experience working in water treatment, process plant operations, or a similar industrial or utilities environment
• Hands‑on experience with pumps, dosing systems, treatment equipment, or similar mechanical systems
• Confidence handling chemicals and working in environments with hazardous substances
• Strong fault‑finding ability and mechanical aptitude
• Good computer skills and experience using maintenance or asset management systems (such as SAP)
• The ability to work independently in the field while collaborating effectively with wider operational teams
• A full New Zealand driver licence and willingness to participate in an on‑call roster

If you’re looking for a meaningful operational role where your skills directly contribute to safe drinking water and public health outcomes, this is an opportunity to make a real difference.

What's in it for you? He aha ngā hua ki a koe?

Want To Be Involved In Shaping Your City? Here At The Council We Know Our Strength Comes From Our People, Working Together As One Team To Create Results. When You Join Us, You're Getting Involved First Hand, And Contributing To Crafting The Christchurch Community. You Will Also Benefit From

• Access to training programmes, workshops, and development opportunities
• Flexible working arrangements - WFH, adjustable start and finish times, option to purchase extra leave.
• Collaboration - exposure to wider areas of the organisation
• Benefits - a variety of benefits for Council staff from health schemes to retail discounts.

If this sounds like an interesting opportunity, you think you have what it takes and want to get involved in shaping our City then please apply today.

Additional Information | Ko ētahi atu kōrero

At the Christchurch City Council, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways.

We understand that recruitment processes can be challenging. If you require any support or adjustments to help you put your best foot forward, please reach out to us at ***email_hidden***

• Hours of work - 37.5 - 40 hours per week
• Position - Permanent, full-time
• Location - This position is primarily based at Christchurch Wastewater Treatment Plant, Shuttle Drive, Bromley
• Salary - The salary band for this position goes from $74,394 to $82,660 per annum based on a 40 hour week ($35.77 - $39.74 per hour). Starting salaries will be based on knowledge, skills and experience the successful candidate brings to the role, and relativities both, within the immediate team and in the broader organisation for the same or similar roles.
• Closing date - 15/06/2026

To view the position description for this role please click here

Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and interviews may take place prior to the close date. This means we reserve the right to close a job ad before the advertised close date.