Job Description

Northern Engineer - Thames Coromandel

323 Recruitment is working with our client to find a capable and technically strong Northern Engineer for a permanent opportunity based in the Thames Coromandel District.

This is a key role supporting the operational performance, compliance, and optimisation of water and wastewater treatment facilities across the region. It would suit someone with a background in water treatment, wastewater treatment, environmental engineering, civil engineering, chemical/process engineering, or three waters operations.

Our client is looking for someone who can combine technical knowledge with practical operational support, compliance management, strong reporting, and the ability to work closely with operators, council stakeholders, subcontractors, suppliers, and regulatory bodies.

The position description highlights responsibility for the safe and efficient operation and maintenance of treatment plants, compliance with resource consents, drinking water standards, environmental regulations, technical investigations, reporting obligations, continuous improvement, and technical leadership across the Northern wastewater treatment plants.

About the role

As the Northern Engineer, you will be involved in:

• Supporting the operation, maintenance, compliance, and optimisation of water and wastewater treatment plants
• Monitoring treatment plant performance against regulatory, contractual, and environmental requirements
• Ensuring compliance with resource consent conditions and drinking water standards
• Preparing accurate reporting for council, internal stakeholders, and relevant authorities
• Diagnosing, troubleshooting, and supporting the resolution of plant, equipment, and process issues
• Supporting operational teams with technical advice, mentoring, and guidance
• Leading or supporting investigations into non-compliance events and corrective actions
• Maintaining accurate records of operational activities, incidents, testing, and communications
• Identifying opportunities for process improvement, automation, and better operational efficiency
• Participating in after-hours or on-call requirements when needed
• Working closely with the council, subcontractors, suppliers, operational teams, and internal management

The role will support treatment assets across the Northern area, including wastewater treatment plants such as Whitianga, Coromandel, Cooks Beach, Matarangi, Oamaru, and Opito, while maintaining strong compliance, environmental, and service delivery standards.

What we are looking for

The ideal candidate will have:

• A NZ Certificate or Diploma in Drinking Water or Wastewater Treatment Level 5, or a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental, Civil, Chemical, or Process Engineering
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in the water, wastewater, treatment plant, infrastructure, or related engineering sector
• Practical experience managing or supporting water and/or wastewater treatment plant operations
• Good understanding of plant, equipment, and treatment processes
• Basic knowledge and application of SCADA systems
• Strong analytical and problem-solving ability
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, especially technical reporting
• High attention to detail around compliance, safety, quality, and environmental standards
• Ability to lead, support, and mentor operational staff
• Full Class 1 driver licence and ability to drive manual

Highly regarded experience

The following would be advantageous:

• 5-10 years’ experience in the water and wastewater industry
• Postgraduate qualification in water or environmental engineering
• First Aid, confined space, permit to work, working at heights, spill response, or HSE training
• Strong Microsoft Word and Excel skills
• Experience working with councils, regulatory bodies, subcontractors, iwi, and local communities
• Good understanding of tikanga Māori, Pasifika culture, or wider cross-cultural engagement

About you

You will be technically capable, practical, and comfortable working in a live operational environment. You will understand the importance of compliance, reporting, safe systems of work, and maintaining plant performance.

This role would suit someone who enjoys problem-solving, improving systems, supporting operators, and taking ownership of environmental and operational outcomes. You will be self-motivated, safety and quality focused, and able to communicate clearly with both field teams and professional stakeholders.

What’s on offer

• Permanent opportunity based in the Thames Coromandel District
• Key technical role within the three waters sector
• Exposure to multiple water and wastewater treatment assets
• Opportunity to support compliance, optimisation, and continuous improvement
• Strong career development pathway within essential infrastructure
• Regional lifestyle opportunity in a high-demand infrastructure environment

323 Recruitment is looking to speak with engineers, treatment plant specialists, environmental professionals, and three waters operators ready to step into a technically focused engineering role.

If this sounds like you, apply now or contact Daniel Young at 323 Recruitment for a confidential discussion.