Rivers and Drainage Operator

Location
Rotorua, Bay of Plenty
 
Full job description
Thriving together - mō te taiao, mō ngā tāngata.

Our environment and our people go hand-in-hand.

Great workmates and staff culture
Challenge and variety
Fixed term - 6 months, based in Rotorua
Te āhuatunga a te tūranga | About the role

Our Rivers Drainage Operations team is looking for an experienced operator to undertake a variety of river and drainage maintenance activities, flood damage repair, wetland/habitat creation projects and restoration, and mobile plant operating work activities across the Bay of Plenty Region.

Experience in herbicide spraying, trenching and layering willows, chainsaw operation, river gravel management, machinery operation, vegetation maintenance, clearing/de-silting drains, fencing, tree clearing, culvert laying and riverbank erosion repairs is an advantage.

As a Rivers and Drainage Operator, you will be responsible for a variety of river and drainage and wetland/habitat restoration machinery operating work including:

Clearing/de-silting drains, tree clearing, obstruction removal, culvert installations, floodgate maintenance, riverbank restoration and maintenance programmes.
Flood protection work (erosion repairs including rock armouring).
Carry out maintenance and construction of wetlands and fish/wildlife habitat restoration projects.
Assist with flood response and pumping activities during heavy rainfall and emergency events.
Manually and mechanically clear weed from pump stations.
Ō pūmanawa | Your skills and experience

As well as being a positive, hard working team player with a sense of humour, to be successful in the role you must have:

Experience in rivers and drainage maintenance works, manual labour, herbicide application, operating specialised heavy machinery, hydraulic excavators, tractor/trailer/transport units and Hiab crane operation.
An understanding of river control works and drainage maintenance works.
Knowledge of wetland restoration and habitat creation work and understanding of native species life cycles and migration/spawning habits.
Competency in fencing, vegetation maintenance, working around machinery and operating and maintaining chainsaws.
A good level of physical fitness.
Strong listening skills.
Strong focus on health and safety.
Ability to project a good public image and interact with others in a courteous and friendly manner.
Ko wai mātou | Who we are

Toi Moana Bay of Plenty Regional Council is responsible for land, air and water as well as public transport and economic development. A major focus of our work involves looking after the environment. We manage the effects of people’s use of freshwater, land, air and coastal water. However, we also have a broader responsibility with others for the economic, social and cultural well-being of the regional community. We are a values-driven organisation, and we have a reputation for looking after our people.

Who you are is important to us. We welcome diversity as an opportunity to grow our teams and are keen to support people of all gender identities, ages, ethnicities, sexual orientations, religions, and disabilities/abilities. We want the Bay of Plenty Regional Council to be a place where you can bring your whole self to work.

Toi Moana is a great organisation to work for and our region is a great place to live.
We’ll support you to grow and develop.
We are flexible with the way you work.
We have a competitive salary and leave package, including extra paid leave over Christmas/New Year.
This position is a 6 month, fixed term role and will be based in Rotorua works depot but will at times work across the BOP region.




Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to Apply

Click APPLY NOW or contact Daniel Batten on 0800 884 881 for a confidential discussion.

To access a copy of Te Tūranga Mahi (Job Description) please click on the following link or copy and paste it into your web browser: https://rb.gy/xsie+8

NB: To apply for this job, you must have the legal right to be able to work in New Zealand and also a current, valid driver's licence. As this position is designated as being "safety sensitive", the successful candidate will be asked to undergo a pre-employment drug and alcohol check as part of the recruitment.


Applications close 11pm, Monday 7 July 2025 and will only be accepted online.

 
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