Excavator Operator

About the role

We've got a real variety of excavator roles across Christchurch, Rolleston and Rangiora. Most are on bigger machines, up to 20 tonne, with the occasional 30-tonner on demolition work. Some are specialist roles — drainage operators, for example. Many are on new subdivisions, and some are with contractors who do both roading maintenance and civil construction, so the work varies from job to job. It's bulk earthworks, drainage, trenching and final trim for our long-term clients, and if you've got GPS, even better. Most roles are day shift, with some nights available.

Tell us what you're good at, and what you want to be doing. It's our job to find the perfect role for you. If you can run a loader, roller, dozer or grader as well, say so — the more you can operate, the more we can keep you busy. If you take pride in a clean trench and a good trim, and want to be home every night, read on.

We've got roles starting now, and more coming online over the next three to four weeks. So if you need to give notice where you are, that's no problem — get in touch anyway.

A quick word on right to work

You'll need to already be living in New Zealand with the right to work here. These roles are based in Canterbury and we're not offering visa sponsorship, so if you're not currently in NZ with existing work rights, we won't be able to consider your application.

Key responsibilities

• Operate excavators up to 20 tonne on subdivision and civil sites — with the occasional 30-tonner on demolition

• Cut trenches, dig drainage and bring the site to final trim

• Bulk earthworks — shift material, load trucks and prep sites

• Move between new subdivisions, roading maintenance and general civil work, depending on the job

• Get out of the cab and give the crew a hand when the machine's not needed

About you

• Proven excavator experience on civil or earthworks sites

• Confident on drainage, trenching and final trim — the skills that set you apart

• Someone who works safe, works steady and respects the machine

• The right to work in NZ (no sponsorship, sorry)

• This role includes pre-employment and random drug and alcohol testing

Even better if you've got

• GPS machine-control experience

• Loaders, rollers, dozers, graders or skid steers — the more you can run, the better

• Time on 30-tonne-plus machines, demolition or quarry work

• Your ConstructSafe or Site Safe, and Traffic Management tickets

• A Class 2 or Class 4 licence, so you can drive as well as operate

Benefits

• $30–$35+/hr, paid weekly — and it's a real employee rate

• Holiday pay, sick leave, KiwiSaver on top, never rolled into your hourly rate

• Home every night, with seasonal night shifts on offer if you want them — with a night allowance or a higher rate

• Genuine long-term opportunities with established local Canterbury contractors

• Build the specialist skills that pay more — drainage, trenching, final trim and GPS

About us

MLH is a Canterbury labour hire company that places operators with good local civil contractors. You'll be a proper MLH employee — not a contractor, and not a number in a pool. You'll work on our clients' sites, but you're our staff, and we look after you like it, with one person at MLH who knows you and knows the job.

How to apply

Hit APPLY, or get in touch however suits you:

— Email: [email protected]

— Text "OPERATOR" to [021 123 7067](tel:021 123 7067)

— Call John: [022 123 7568](tel:022 123 7568)

— Office: [03 390 2020](tel:03 390 2020)

Just a reminder — you'll need to already be in NZ with the right to work. We're not offering sponsorship for these roles.