Principal Water Operator

Tihei mauri ora!

Nau mai, haere mai, tahuti mai ki Heretaunga!

Heretaunga haukunui, Heretaunga ararau, Heretaunga haaro te kaahu, Heretaunga takoto noa!

Welcome to Heretaunga, the area renowned for its rich and fertile landscape that is sustained by its life-giving dews and waterways. Welcome to Heretaunga, whose beauty is observed by the sharp eye of the harrier hawk; a landscape rich in history and with an esteemed legacy of caring and providing for its inhabitants.

Taitara Mahi - Principal Water Operator
Permanent Full-Time

We’re looking for an experienced and values-led Principal Water Operator to guide the day-to-day delivery of Hastings District Council’s drinking water treatment operations. This is a hands-on leadership role, this is a rare opportunity to lead essential drinking water operations in a role where technical excellence, calm leadership and community purpose come together every day. Our drinking water network is central to that vision. It supports the wellbeing of our people, the strength of our communities and the future of our district.

We’re looking for a grounded, experienced Principal Water Operator who takes pride in doing important work well. You’ll bring technical credibility, practical leadership and a strong sense of responsibility to help keep our drinking water services safe, reliable, compliant and future-ready.

Hastings District Council supplies drinking water to more than 24,000 households and businesses across our large urban areas and smaller communities. Sourced primarily from bores, we abstract more than 18 million cubic metres of water a year.  The water is then treated prior to distribution to 11 water supplies through a network of reservoirs, booster stations and approximately 550 kilometres of watermains.

• You'll protect public health by leading the safe and reliable operation of critical water treatment assets.
• You'll guide and develop a capable team, creating a culture built on safety, trust, accountability and pride in service.
• You'll provide senior technical oversight when it matters most - from operational performance and incident response through to commissioning and continuous improvement.
• you'll work across teams, contractors, projects and regulatory to make sure operational decisions are practical, compliance and future-focused.
• You'll contribute daily to services that every household, business and community facility relies on every day.

Ōu wheako – about you
To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Significant experience in drinking water treatment operations, ideally in a regulated or highly accountable environment.
• The confidence and judgement to lead through complexity, pressure and competing priorities.
• A practical, people-focused leadership style that builds capability and brings others with you.
• A strong understanding of compliance, public health risk, Water Safety Plans and operational assurance.
• A steady, solutions-focused approach with the ability to balance technical details with big-picture service outcomes.
• A genuine commitment to serving community and leaving critical infrastructure in a stronger place for the future

You’ll be joining an organisation that is deeply connected to place, people and purpose. We are here to work for our community — today and tomorrow — and this role sits at the heart of that commitment.

If you’re ready for a role where your expertise will be valued, your leadership will make a visible difference, and your work will help protect an essential service for generations to come, we’d love to hear from you.

Please note: This role is part of our Three Waters function and is expected to transfer to the new water services organisation as part of the transition. While the detailed timing and arrangements are still being worked through, candidates should apply on the basis that the role will ultimately move from Council to the new organisation. We will keep affected employees fully informed as the transition progresses and manage the process in accordance with the relevant legislation and employment obligations.

Situated in the heart of Ngāti Kahungunu, the Hastings district and Hawke’s Bay offer an enjoyable environment in which to live, work and play. We are an equal opportunity employer and we value diversity. Are you keen to be a part of our journey?

Principal Water Operator JD (if you are viewing this via SEEK - please visit the careers page on our website for a copy of the Job Description)

Applications close: 13 September 2026

Click here to find out about all the great reasons why you'll want to work for us.

Please Note: Due to the highly competitive employment market, our vacancy close date may be subject to change if a suitable candidate is found, so don't delay in making your application.