Treatment Controller
Take a pivotal role in safeguarding Wellington's water services, leading treatment risk management, operational decisions and emergency readiness across critical infrastructure.
Play a critical role in protecting Wellington's drinking water supply.
Influence operational decisions and treatment risk management at scale.
Join a collaborative team supporting essential water infrastructure.
This is a full-time position of 40 hours per week.
Position based in our Petone office, Lower Hutt.
The opportunity
This is a significant opportunity to take on a highly influential role within Tiaki Wai's Treatment and Control Systems Group, helping safeguard the reliability, safety and resilience of Wellington's essential water services.
As Treatment Controller, you'll provide operational oversight of critical water and wastewater treatment assets, ensuring decisions are managed carefully to protect public health, the environment, and service continuity. You'll be a key authority in treatment risk management, providing specialist advice and direction on operational decisions, planned shutdowns, incidents and emergency preparedness.
Working closely with an experienced, collaborative leadership team, you'll have the opportunity to influence operational practices, strengthen risk management, and contribute to the strategic direction of treatment services. You'll also work with councils, emergency management agencies and internal teams to ensure Wellington is well prepared to respond to significant operational events.
With broad organisational visibility and responsibility for critical operational decisions, this role lets your technical expertise, judgement, and leadership make a genuine difference to the communities we serve.
You will:
Provide operational oversight and decision-making authority for critical treatment assets, ensuring safe, reliable and compliant water services.
Lead risk management for the Treatment and Controls Systems group, identifying and mitigating operational risks and strengthening contingency planning and emergency readiness.
Oversee planned shutdowns and operational changes, ensuring risks to treatment performance, customers and the environment are effectively managed.
Coordinate responses to significant incidents and emergencies, working closely with internal teams, councils and emergency management agencies.
Influence strategic planning, water shortage risk management and continuous improvement while building strong relationships across the organisation.
About you
To be successful in this role, you will bring:
A relevant engineering qualification, either a degree or New Zealand Certificate in Engineering (NZCE).
Significant experience across three waters networks, with a strong understanding of operational management and service delivery.
Demonstrated expertise in operational risk management, mitigation and contingency planning.
Experience in emergency response and incident management, with the ability to make sound decisions in complex or high-pressure situations.
Experience managing infrastructure projects and understanding their operational impacts.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify critical risks and develop practical solutions.
Sound leadership, influencing and relationship management skills, with the ability to engage effectively across technical teams, stakeholders and external agencies.
A strong commitment to health and safety, regulatory compliance and environmental protection.
Benefits
At Tiaki Wai, our purpose extends beyond delivering great water services for the region; we foster a thriving community, support a diverse workforce, and offer supportive development opportunities. We genuinely care about your safety and wellbeing.
Our benefits include:
Comprehensive wellbeing programme, including one paid wellbeing day annually
Formal and informal professional development opportunities
5 weeks annual leave accrual will be available following 2 years of continual service
For a full list of our employee benefits click here.
About us
Tiaki Wai is a council-owned organisation responsible for managing the delivery of drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater services across Hutt Valley, Porirua, and Wellington.
We manage public-owned extensive water infrastructure and oversee the delivery of safe and reliable services for our communities. We focus on long-term investment, asset management, maintenance, and delivering major infrastructure projects that support public health, environmental protection, and regional growth.
Water is a precious taonga. At Tiaki Wai, we put care into every drop and are guided by our values of Integrity, Care, and Leadership. We work directly with water consumers and in partnership with councils and mana whenua to deliver better water outcomes for current and future generations.
Applications close: 23rd November 2026
How to apply
To view a copy of the position description: click here
To apply for the role, click on the ‘apply’ button or visit the Tiaki Wai Careers site, if you are a Tiaki Wai employee please apply using your work email.
For further information, email: kelly.ashford@tiakiwai.co.nz
Applicants for safety sensitive roles will be required to undergo drug and alcohol testing prior to commencing employment with Tiaki Wai. You must also be legally entitled to work long-term in New Zealand or eligible to obtain a working visa.
- Department
- Treatment and Control Systems
- Role
- Network Performance & Commercial Compliance
- Location
- Petone Office
Petone Office
Staff benefits
1. Inclusive Culture: It is important to us that people love our culture. We embrace a workplace where diversity is celebrated, and inclusivity is at our core. Our team is united by passion, dedication, and a shared care for water and our community.
2. Safety and Support: We provide an Employee Assistance Scheme for crucial personal support, along with wellbeing and lifestyle education delivered through our Wellbe Team, ensuring you feel supported in and out of the workplace.
3. Health is Wealth: We prioritise your health with an annual voluntary health "warrant of fitness," immunisations, and flu vaccinations. Moreover, enjoy annual subsidised vision testing and contributions toward glasses to ensure clear vision.
4. Work-Life Balance: Where possible there is access to flexible work practices. And take advantage of our annual leave, reaching five weeks after three years of service, and 10 days sick leave from starting with us. In addition, take one paid day a year for your personal Wellbeing. We also offer parental leave and partner entitlements to support you during significant life moments.
5. Comprehensive Benefits: We have partnered with providers for discounted Southern Cross medical insurance, periodic vision and hearing tests, and eyewear subsidies. You can also access discounts at a range of retailers via Boost. Gain access to top-notch gear, machinery, PPE, and tools, fostering a safe work environment if you are “on the tools”. We also offer a staff referral bonus paid when a person is recruited for a senior front line position, and we may offer relocation support if you need to move into the district to work here.
6. Professional Growth: Grow your skills with a range of development opportunities. Boosting your personal and work career.
7. Community Connection: You can take one paid day a year to participate in voluntary work on a water-related activity. And maybe join our active Waiata group and be part of a community that works together, sings, and thrives together.
