Civil Machine Operator – Drainage and Earthworks

Location: Napier, Hawke’s Bay
Employment Type: Full-time, Permanent
Industry: Civil Construction, Drainage and Earthworks
Remuneration: Competitive hourly rate based on experience and capability

The Opportunity

323 Recruitment is working with an established civil and drainage contractor based in Napier.

The company specialises in major drainage outfall lines, subdivisions, underground infrastructure and earthworks projects across Hawke’s Bay. It operates a range of modern excavators and uses advanced machine-control technology, including Unicontrol, to improve excavation accuracy, productivity and project delivery.

Due to continued growth, the company is looking for an experienced Civil Machine Operator who has a strong background in drainage, subdivisions and infrastructure construction.

This is not a role for someone whose experience is limited to bulk earthworks or loading trucks. The successful operator must understand drainage construction, trench excavation, underground services and the level of accuracy required when working alongside experienced drainlayers.

Key Responsibilities

Your duties will include:

Operating excavators ranging from approximately 5 tonnes to 30 tonnes
Completing detailed trench excavation for drainage and underground services
Working on major stormwater and drainage outfall projects
Completing subdivision drainage and civil infrastructure works
Excavating for stormwater, wastewater and water-service installations
Working around existing and live underground services
Preparing trenches to the required depths, grades and widths
Assisting with the installation of pipelines, manholes, catchpits and other drainage structures
Completing deep drainage and large-diameter pipeline excavations
Placing bedding materials and assisting with pipe installation
Backfilling trenches and preparing work areas for compaction
Completing bulk earthworks, cut-to-fill and site preparation
Loading trucks and managing excavated or imported materials
Trimming formation and preparing areas to design levels
Reading and interpreting civil drawings, drainage plans and site set-out information
Working with machine-control systems, including Unicontrol where required
Conducting daily plant inspections and reporting maintenance issues
Completing basic care and maintenance of machinery
Working closely with drainlayers, labourers, supervisors and project managers
Maintaining high standards of productivity, accuracy and workmanship
Following excavation permits, service plans and company safety procedures
About You

The successful candidate will have:

At least five years of proven civil machine-operating experience
Strong experience operating excavators from approximately 5 tonnes to 30 tonnes
Demonstrated experience on subdivision drainage projects
Experience completing drainage and underground infrastructure works
Confidence excavating deep trenches and working around existing services
Experience installing or excavating for stormwater and wastewater pipelines
A sound understanding of drainage grades, trench widths, bedding and backfilling requirements
The ability to work accurately to plans, levels and set-out information
Experience working alongside registered or experienced drainlayers
Strong knowledge of excavation, trench and plant safety
The ability to complete both bulk and detailed excavation
A productive but controlled operating style
The ability to protect existing services and surrounding infrastructure
A reliable attitude and strong work ethic
Pride in keeping machinery clean and properly maintained
The ability to work independently while contributing positively to the wider crew

Experience using GPS or 3D machine-control technology, particularly Unicontrol, would be highly regarded. Training may be available for an experienced operator who has the right drainage background and is willing to learn the system.

Licences and Requirements

The preferred candidate will hold:

Full Class 1 New Zealand driver licence
Wheels, Tracks and Rollers endorsements
Relevant excavator or civil plant competencies
ConstructSafe or Site Safe passport

The following would also be advantageous:

Class 2 or Class 4 driver licence
Drainage or civil construction qualifications
Confined-space or trench-safety training
Experience with GPS or Unicontrol machine-control systems
Experience operating larger excavators on drainage outfalls
First Aid certification

Applicants must have the legal right to work in New Zealand and be able to pass a pre-employment drug and alcohol test.

What Is on Offer
Full-time, permanent employment
Competitive hourly rate based on experience and operating capability
Stable pipeline of Hawke’s Bay-based projects
Opportunity to work on major drainage outfall and subdivision projects
Modern excavators ranging from smaller machines through to large civil plant
Exposure to advanced machine-control technology
Supportive, hands-on management
A close-knit and productive civil construction team
Long-term career stability with a growing contractor
Opportunity to take on greater responsibility based on performance
Apply

This position would suit an experienced operator who understands that high-quality drainage excavation requires accuracy, awareness and close coordination with the ground crew.

Apply with an up-to-date CV detailing the machines you have operated, the drainage and subdivision projects you have worked on, your current licences and your availability.