Laboratory Technician

Join us at New Plymouth District Council!
Tūhono mai ki Te Kaunihera-ā-Rohe o Ngāmotu!

Who are we? - Ko wai mātou?

Te Kaunihera-ā-rohe o Ngāmotu - New Plymouth District Council (NPDC) is shaping the future of our district. We're here to serve our community and create a place where people love to live, work and visit. Guided by the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, we're committed to building strong partnerships that respect and celebrate our rich cultural heritage.

Innovation, sustainability and collaboration drive everything we do as we deliver services and initiatives that support our vision: a thriving, connected and future-focused district.

At Te Kaunihera-ā-rohe o Ngāmotu, we're proud to be an inclusive, dynamic organisation that values people, creativity and progress. If you're passionate about making a real impact and being part of something bigger, this is the place for you.

The opportunity - Te āheinga

We're looking for a motivated and technically capable Laboratory Technician to join our Wastewater team at NPDC.

In this permanent, full-time role, you'll play an important part in supporting our community by ensuring high-quality chemical and microbiological testing that helps protect public health and our environment.

You'll be responsible for carrying out all laboratory analyses safely, accurately, and in line with standard operating procedures. Once KTP status has been achieved, you'll also issue IANZ-accredited reports, contributing to the ongoing confidence and integrity of our laboratory services.

A key part of your role will be maintaining laboratory equipment to a high standard and performing regular quality system checks to ensure we continue to meet IANZ accreditation requirements. Your strong technical ability and attention to detail will help us deliver reliable, high-quality data every time.

Experience using instruments such as ICP-OES and ion chromatography would be a real advantage, though not essential - what matters most is your willingness to learn, grow your technical capability and contribute to a supportive and skilled team.

If you enjoy hands-on laboratory work, take pride in accuracy, and want to play a meaningful role in supporting wastewater operations for our district, we'd love to hear from you.

Key responsibilities - Ngā haepapa matua

• Laboratory testing and reporting results in a timely manner to allow changes to be made to the plant processes
• Recognise and inform operations of results that are trending negatively, are non-compliant or unusual
• Identify quality issues with both samples and tests and resolve them
• Make chemicals for laboratory, plant and aquatic centres
• Calibration and maintenance of laboratory equipment to fix and understand variances and anomalies
• Acquire specialised knowledge of highly technical pieces of equipment and apply that knowledge to troubleshooting and fixing them
• Maintain an in-depth knowledge of the principles and practices of IANZ accreditation
• Attain Key Technical Personal status enabling certification and issuing of IANZ accredited reports
• Analyse project and trial samples for NPDC Project Managers and consultants as required
• Quality assurance - participate in both internal and external audits
• Monitor trends in quality control standards and work and make recommendations for improvements
• Identify laboratory hazards
• Actively ensure that legislative requirements and Council policies and procedures are fulfilled, particularly in relation to all key relevant legislation

Essential skills and experience - Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako

• A relevant tertiary qualification (e.g. NZCS)
• Some knowledge of process plant operations
• Knowledge of health and safety legislation
• Understanding of laboratory quality control and systems
• Computer literacy
• Full, current NZ driver's licence

Why Taranaki? - He aha ngā hua o te rohe nei?

Taranaki isn't just a region - it's a way of life. Here, you'll find the perfect blend of career opportunities and lifestyle in one incredible place. Framed by the majestic Mounga Taranaki and the sparkling Tasman Sea, this is where you can hike world-class trails, surf uncrowded beaches and immerse yourself in a vibrant arts and culture scene - all within minutes of each other.

With affordable living, great schools and a strong sense of community, Taranaki is the ideal spot to live, work and raise a family. Whether you're chasing adventure, craving tranquillity or looking for both, life here offers an unbeatable balance that makes every day extraordinary.

What we offer - Ngā Ratonga

At New Plymouth District Council, we're not just offering jobs - we're building careers and creating a workplace where people thrive.

When you join us, you'll discover:

• Clear career pathways - to help you grow and succeed
• Learning and development opportunities - that keep you ahead of the game
• Support for personal and professional growth - so you can be your best self
• Our People's Package is designed with you in mind, covering five key pillars: wellbeing, development, benefits, culture and recognition

Because at NPDC, it's not just about what you do - it's about who you become.

You can expect to start in this permanent, full-time role with a salary of between $73,318 - $76,506.

Why join us? - Ngā hua o tō hono mai?

Your wellbeing matters to us. We're committed to creating an inclusive, supportive workplace where your contributions are valued and celebrated. Together, we're shaping a vibrant future for New Plymouth - one step, one idea, one achievement at a time.

Applications close Sunday, 15 February 2026.

Be part of a council that values people, culture, and opportunity.

Me tūhono mai koe kia tautoko i te Ngāmotu o āpōpō!

Te Kaunihera-ā-rohe o Ngāmotu is an equal opportunity employer (EOE), and we are committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of application to assist you through the recruitment process.