Career opportunities

From Darwin to Alice and everywhere in between, Power and Water services cities, regional towns and remote communities. Our people work in a range of fields, from electricians to accountants to engineers to customer service staff.

Graduate opportunities | Vacation employment | Apprenticeships | Essential services traineeships

Apprenticeships

Every year, Power and Water provides an opportunity for school leavers and adults to undertake apprenticeships in electrical, mechanical, instrumentation, plumbing and linework.

Group Training Northern Territory (GTNT) recruits apprentices in Darwin, Katherine, Alice Springs and Tennant Creek who are then hosted at Power and Water for the duration of their apprenticeship.

Apprentice opportunities at Power and Water will be advertised in September and October, and successful applicants can expect to commence their apprenticeship in the following January.

If you would like to know more about our apprenticeships, read our Appreticeship opportunities fact sheet, contact Group Training Northern Territory or call 08 8941 2112 for more information.

Electrical apprenticeships

People who train to become an electrician will perform a range of tasks including:

• Locating electrical malfunctions
• Installing electrical control systems
• Connecting switches
• Working with circuit breakers

Electrician apprentices need to have good hand-eye coordination, be practical and able to do precise and detailed work. They will also have to work as part of a team, be physically fit, enjoy mathematics and have good communications skills.

Mechanical apprenticeships

People who train to become a mechanic will perform a range of tasks including:

• Testing and maintaining diesel and gas powered equipment
• Detecting mechanical and electrical faults
• Welding, machining and hand fitting processes to repair parts

Mechanical apprentices need to enjoy practical and manual work, be good at maths and be physically fit.

Lineworker

People who train to become lineworkers will perform a range of tasks including:

• Installing and maintaining power poles, streetlights, transformers and circuit breakers
• Trimming tree branches clear of power lines
• Adjusting tension of cables and perform emergency repairs such as isolating live wires

Lineworker apprentices need to enjoy working outdoors and using their hands and be able to work at heights. They also have to be physically fit, good at maths, able to work as part of a team and have good communication skills.

Plumbing Apprenticeships

People who train to become a plumber will perform a range of tasks including:

• Repairing and replacing of broken pipes
• Installing and maintaining water supply and sewer systems
• Carry out leak investigations and repairs to pipes in a wide range of sizes and materials
• Carry out sewer investigations to ensure gravity, pumping and vacuum systems are operating efficiently
• Interpret valving and pipe work plans to operate valving to ensure a continuous water supply is available to consumers
• Perform basic water quality tests

Plumbing apprentices need to be prepared to work outdoors in confined spaces such as trenches, valve chambers and pump stations.

Instrumentation Apprenticeships

People who train in Instrumentation normally have prior training in electrical work, because their role is more technical. They will perform a range of tasks including:

• Installing and servicing Control Systems equipment and identifying faults
• Installing computer control systems and identifying faults
• Install and maintain sensing transmitters

Instrumentation apprentices need to have good hand-eye coordination, be practical and able to do precise and detailed work. They will also have to work as part of a team, be physically fit, and enjoy mathematics.

[ Back to top ]

Vacation employment

If you are an undergraduate completing a degree in engineering or water related/environmental science, Power and Water offers opportunities to undertake project work in our vacation employment program.

By completing vacation work with us you will:

• develop knowledge about our organisation and the utilities industry in general;
• develop your skills and knowledge;
• gain real life experience in a professional working environment; and
• get paid to have a great experience.

The 12 week vacation employment period runs over the summer university break, from December to February.

Generally, vacation employment is offered in the following disciplines (subject to change):

• Electrical engineering
• Mechanical engineering
• Civil engineering
• Environmental engineering
• Water related/environmental science

Salaries per annum

Salaries vary depending on the year of study being undertaken at university:

• Completed second year $47,992
  
• Completed third year: $50,392
• Completed fourth year: $52,920

Application guidelines

• Undergraduates in the third or fourth year of their degree are eligible to apply.
• Preference is given to undergraduates with a home base in the NT.
• A current driver’s licence is essential.
• You must have a work visa which allows you to work in Australia.
• Applications submitted after the closing date will not be considered.

Application process

Applicants are requested to:

• Complete and submit the on line application form that will be available from Monday 5 September 2011.
  
• Attach a copy of your Résumé.
• Attach a copy of academic results for each year of study undertaken.

Key dates

• 5 September 2011:  Applications open
• 30 September 2011:  Applications close
• 3 to 14 October 2011:  Selection process
• Early November 2011:  Temporary contracts sent out
• 5 December 2011:  Vacation program starts
• 25 February 2012:  Vacation program ends

If you are interested in the vacation employment program contact us on 1800 245 092 or email jobs@powerwater.com.au

[ Back to top ]

Essential services traineeships

The Remote Essential Services traineeship program is a partnership between Power and Water, Group Training Northern Territory, Community Councils, Charles Darwin University, the NT Department of Employment, Education and Training and the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations.

If you enjoy working outdoors, with your hands and in your community, then becoming an Essential Services Officer may be the job for you.

Trainees work with Essential Service Officers (ESOs) in many communities. Through Community Development Employment Projects (CDEP), some trainees are working full time hours and some are working part time hours.

Trainees will work with water, sewer and power operations and will study the Certificate 2 in Electrotechnology – Remote Essential Services. All study is done in the community and no travel to the city is required.

If you are interested you should contact your Council Clerk or Community ESO.

[ Back to top ]