Equipment operator Jobs in New Zealand

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About the role Career progression and training Salary and benefits Entry requirements

Good with your hands and have an interest in motor vehicles and general engineering? As a Ground Support Equipment (GSE) Technician, you’ll have a hands-on role in maintaining a wide range of specialist vehicles, and aviation and field support equipment.

• Service Air Force
• Specialisation Engineering and Technical Trades
• Location Varied
• Starting Trade Training $64,177

About the role

As a GSE Technician you’ll be a member of the ground crew, responsible for maintaining the ground-based equipment required to support military air operations, including keeping a tented camp on overseas operations running. Your duties will include the routine maintenance and repair of a large range of specialist military equipment.

Job on base

VEHICLE MAINTENANCE

GSE Technicians are responsible for the repair and maintenance of all of the Air Force’s specialist vehicles. You’ll be involved in the daily maintenance, fault diagnosis and rectification of a wide range of vehicles, including military aircraft loaders, aircraft tractors, refuelling and airport crash / fire trucks.

GROUND SUPPORT EQUIPMENT

Aircraft ground support equipment encompasses all equipment required to carry out aircraft maintenance activities in support of military flying operations. This equipment typically includes ground power units, hydraulic machines, and lifting equipment.

REFUELLING EQUIPMENT

GSE Technicians maintain and repair all of the Air Force’s aviation refuelling equipment to international standards. This equipment includes deployable fuel installations that hold hundreds of thousands of litres of aviation fuel for refuelling military aircraft on operations.

Job on deployment

Our aircraft deploy overseas in remote locations and, when they do they need Ground Support Equipment to continue to operate. A deployed camp also needs equipment such as generators, electricity distribution, and water treatment equipment to function. As a GSE technician you will serve overseas to maintain this equipment on site. This is a crucial, hands-on role that supports military air operations, and provides great experiences at home and abroad.

Career progression and training

Career progression

Basic Training

Trade Training

Ongoing Training

Specialist Training

As you gain qualifications and experience you’ll be given greater responsibilities for managing the maintenance of the equipment the GSE trade services. As a senior GSE Technician you’ll be required to perform military command and leadership duties as a team leader.

Team leaders are responsible for the personnel under their command, including the conduct of personnel performance reports, mentoring, personal development and maintaining discipline. With substantial trade knowledge and experience you will be required to help train, assess and develop junior GSE Technicians.

12 weeks) Location : RNZAF Base Woodbourne

Upon successful enlistment into the Air Force you will be posted to RNZAF Base Woodbourne (near Blenheim) for your Recruit Course. Here you will do 12 weeks of basic military training to find out if you’ve got what it takes to be in the Air Force, and learn various subjects including :

ENGINEERING FUNDAMENTALS COURSE

17 weeks) Location : RNZAF Base Woodbourne

After Recruit Course you will attend this full-time course which includes :

This course is a requirement for all technical trades in the RNZAF, and sets you up for your career as a technician in the military aviation industry.

PRIMARY TRADE TRAINING

On completion of the Engineering Foundation Course you will attend a short course to commence your skills in technical administration and the safe use of fuels, oils and lubricants. You will then start trade training of up to 12 months at Woodbourne before being posted to an operational base (Whenuapai or Ohakea). This takes the form of an apprenticeship towards the NZQA-accredited Level Four New Zealand Certificate in Automotive Engineering (NZCAE) under the Motor Industry Training Organisation (MITO) scheme. This takes around three and one half years to complete and includes :

As well as NZCAE, you'll also achieve all classes of driving licences required for the specialist vehicles you will maintain (up to and including Class 5), plus military driving permits (for military vehicles), and additional training targeted at specific aspects of maintaining aeronautical and military deployed support equipment.

POSTGRADUATE TRAINING

After graduating as a GSE Technician you will undertake postgraduate training in the maintenance of aeronautical ground support equipment, aviation refuelling equipment, and a wide range of field equipment. These are competency-based training packages carried out in the workplace, and includes the Air BP Aviation Fuel Training scheme, an internationally recognised qualification, water treatment systems, and camp wiring (generators, lights, etc).

There are a number of other postgraduate courses available that are undertaken on an as-required basis for career progression, or to meet other RNZAF requirements.

Salary and benefits

Careers in the Air Force are well-rewarded, as well as being diverse and exciting. As you become more experienced and move up through the ranks, gaining additional skills and qualifications, you will see your salary rise accordingly.

50,597

Under Initial Training

64,177

Starting Trade Training

119,462

Future Potential Earnings

Figures updated on July 1st 2023

Benefits and allowances

There are many additional benefits to being in the Defence Force, that will make your money go further.

For example, on top of your basic salary you can expect ‘Military Factor’. This provides you with significant extra financial rewards because of the commitment you’ve made to serve your country.

Access to your Service marae or tūrangawaewae

Sponsored tertiary study programmes at all levels

Free access to gyms and swimming pools on camp and bases

Opportunities to travel

Free and subsidised medical and dental care

Subsidised food and accommodation on camps and bases

Free and subsidised insurance cover

Help to buy a home and save for retirement

Entry requirements

Basics

Education

Fitness and medical

Citizenship

Period of Service

Minimum :   3 years secondary school. Note, qualifications may be used to assess trade suitability.

To be competitive :   NCEA Level 2.

Find out more about the NCEA levels and certificate requirements

There are strict citizenship and security requirements to gain the required SV security clearance for this trade.

Find out if you’re eligible here.

Your training is some of the most thorough and advanced in the world. On graduation as a GSE technician, you’ll be contractually obliged to spend another 24 months in the Air Force.

Ready to start your Air Force career?

Find your F.I.T

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