About the role:

As a Utility Arborist, you’ll play a key role in maintaining safe vegetation clearances across MainPower’s electricity network. Working within our Vegetation team, you’ll operate specialised equipment to trim, prune, and remove trees near power lines, ensuring safe and reliable service for our communities. This hands‑on role involves daily fieldwork, safe plant operation, and supporting your team with high‑quality service delivery.

Key Responsibilities:

• Carry out day‑to‑day vegetation trimming activities in line with project and safety requirements
• Operate and maintain equipment such as chainsaws, pod‑saws, chippers, and elevated work platforms
• Safely operate vehicles and mobile plant, and act as a safety observer when required
• Maintain tidy and safe work areas, removing debris and feeding the chipper
• Read and interpret plans and drawings
• Report hazards, incidents, and near misses, and follow safe work practices
• Support continuous improvement and wider company processes
• Contribute positively to team culture and customer relationships
• Maintain licences, competencies, and participate in professional development

About you:

You’re a skilled, safety‑minded arborist who enjoys hands‑on outdoor work and thrives in a team environment. You take pride in your workmanship, communicate well, and bring a positive, proactive approach to your work.

Additionally, you will bring:

• A relevant arboriculture qualification (Level 4 preferred)
• 2+ years’ experience in vegetation control and tree work near electrical lines
• Proven experience and training in chainsaw use and maintenance
• Confidence working at heights and from EWPs
• Class 2 driver licence (Class 4, F and T endorsements desirable)
• Ability to understand work plans and use electronic devices
• Strong problem‑solving skills, initiative, and customer focus
• Ability to work well both independently and within a team

MainPower requires all successful applicants to complete a pre-employment drug test.

To apply for this position, you must have New Zealand residency or a valid New Zealand work visa.

What’s in it for you:

We value and support all our employees by offering a ‘family feel’ culture and community focused environment.  We work in a purpose-built modern office and offer our staff free parking on site.  In addition to our wellbeing programmes our teams can access:

• Nine-Day Fortnight Option
• Subsidised Health Insurance
• Subsidised Gym Membership
• Professional Development
• Recognition Programmes

Why work for us:

Our people are critical in ensuring that we deliver on our vision. At MainPower, we deliver value by providing a safe, secure, and reliable electricity distribution network for our local community. We are committed to developing a strong workplace culture where people are supported, empowered, and provided the tools required to deliver in their roles.  Our values reflect how we interact with each other, our community, and our customers.

How to apply:

We assess applications as they are received so click” Apply” to submit your application today.

Please click here to download a full position description.

Even if you don’t meet every single requirement, we still encourage you to apply. We're eager to meet people that believe in our mission and can contribute to our team in a variety of ways—not just candidates who check all the boxes. Please submit your resume and a cover letter explaining why you are interested in this role and how you believe you can contribute to our team.

MainPower welcomes people from all backgrounds and walks of life. We are proud to have a diverse and inclusive environment and are committed to providing opportunities for all our people.