Civil Plant Operator | Excavator | Loader | Roller

About The Role

Good machinery. Interesting work. A bit of travel thrown in. What's not to like?

Max People are recruiting on behalf of a respected specialist civil contractor for experienced Civil Plant Operators to work on fuel infrastructure and underground services projects across the South Island.

This is a varied role for operators who know their machinery, take pride in a tidy finish, and aren't afraid to jump off the machine and lend a hand when the crew needs it.

You'll operate a range of civil plant across specialist projects including service stations, fuel terminals, industrial developments, and commercial sites. The work includes excavation, trenching, bulk earthworks, final trim, backfilling, compaction, and working around underground services.

The role is Christchurch-based, with regular travel throughout the South Island. Accommodation, travel, and away-from-home allowances are provided, making this a great opportunity for someone who enjoys variety and doesn't mind seeing a few more parts of the country while earning good money.

If you're an experienced operator looking for something a little different from the usual civil work, this could be worth a look.

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‍What's In It For You

• $32–$35 per hour, depending on experience
• Weekly pay
• Christchurch-based with travel throughout the South Island
• Accommodation and travel provided
• Away-from-home allowances
• Modern, well-maintained machinery
• Long-term career opportunity
• Ongoing training and development
• Variety of specialist civil infrastructure projects
• Work with an experienced and supportive team

What You Will Be Doing

• Operating excavators, loaders, and rollers
• Excavating and trenching around underground services
• Final trim and detailed excavation
• Bulk earthworks and material movement
• Backfilling and compaction
• Loading trucks and managing materials on site
• Lifting and positioning underground tanks
• Working accurately from plans, levels, and site set-out
• Completing daily machine checks and basic servicing
• Supporting the wider civil crew when required
• Maintaining safe work practices around underground services

What We Require

• Minimum 3 years' proven excavator operating experience
• Experience operating loaders and/or rollers advantageous
• Current WTR endorsement
• Class 2 or Class 4 Licence preferred
• Proven final trim experience
• GPS machine control experience advantageous
• Strong understanding of safe excavation and underground services
• Excellent health and safety awareness
• Reliable, hardworking, and team-focused attitude
• Willingness to travel and work away from home
• Ability to pass a pre-employment drug and alcohol test

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This role involves travelling throughout the South Island on a 2-week roster. You'll typically leave on a Monday morning and return home on the Friday at the end of the second week, with the middle Sunday off. All travel, accommodation, and away allowances are provided while working away.

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‍ALL APPLICANTS MUST HAVE THE LEGAL RIGHT TO WORK IN NEW ZEALAND

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‍Why Choose Max People?

‍Max People is a trusted recruitment partner with 15+ years' experience connecting great people with great workplaces. What started in construction has grown into one of the country's leading labour-hire and recruitment providers across construction, civil, agriculture, dairy, manufacturing, and logistics.

When you join Max People, you're backed by a team that lives its values: Passion, Empathy, Optimism, Professionalism, Loyalty, and Empowerment. We're here to support your journey, champion your growth, and help you build a future you're excited about.