Network Operator

Do you love to work outdoors where you will use your full toolkit of skills? This role is our eyes and ears out in the field for our Control Centre where you are critical to keeping the lights on. We are looking for a Network Operator (Rural) to be based out on the Banks Peninsula. You’ll get to work in someone the most stunning locations in New Zealand where you are responsible for the safe operation of our electrical network. You’ll be the first point of call in your areas for emergency services and our contractors working on our lines and cables, so you’ll fault-finding skills will be second to none.

About us

Passionate, curious, and innovative are a few words that describe our people.  We are powering the future, connecting communities, and igniting innovation. Orion owns and operates the electricity distribution network that provides power to central Canterbury. As the third largest electricity distribution network in New Zealand, we cover remote rural areas, regional towns, and the city of Christchurch.

We are an essential service and take our responsibilities seriously. We are community owned and working here means a career with meaning and purpose that makes a difference in your very own neighbourhood.

The role

• Carry out day to day electrical network switching procedures on HV to LV equipment
• Provide continuous updates of the field situations to our Network Controllers regarding broken power lines, damaged cables and other safety related incidents
• Assist with electrical network fault-finding (patrolling of lines, repair work and sectionalising network)
• Attend emergency services callouts, customer premise faults including minor service main repairs and HV/LV customer fuse replacements
• Gather statistical information related to electrical network loadings and operations

About you

• Be available for emergency services callouts and work on standby 1 week in 3
• Ability to work autonomously at remote locations
• Hold a current New Zealand Practicing License as an Electrician
• Experience in operating HV and LV power system equipment
• Relevant advanced trade certificate would be an advantage
• We can offer you a rental subsidy if you are relocating, and there could be some long days thrown in there!
• You’ll be driving a 4-wheel drive vehicle and we will provide you with all the tools required

We offer

You’ll find at Orion, you can come as you are and just be you.  You will be joining a workplace that values who you are, the work you do, and the way you think. Importantly, we offer:

• Flexible working arrangements, and flexible locations with our Head office in Burnside and satellite offices in Rolleston and Ferrymead
• Three days of “My Days” leave
• A broad range of workplace benefits from a wellbeing allowance to access to our holiday house in Hanmer!

You might be surprised to find out that the company that brings the power to your home is innovative, inclusive, progressive, and quite good fun.

To apply

We encourage you to be you in your application! We are truly committed to diversity, inclusion and lifting our cultural capability. You don't need to be knowledgeable in these areas, but you do need to be on board with learning.

Please reach out to us with any questions at zoe.dalton@oriongroup.co.nz. We will be screening applications as we receive them to move swiftly to interviews. To learn more about us, check out our careers site to find out more about working Orion.

You must have the right to live and work in New Zealand to apply for this job. Pre-employment checks are part of our recruitment process.