Napier City Council is seeking a capable and enthusiastic Sportsground Operator to join our Parks Operations team. You’ll be hands-on in maintaining our sportsgrounds so they’re safe, high-quality, and match-ready year-round. Your day-to-day work will include mowing and line marking, preparing cricket wickets, and supporting the setup and pack-down of community sporting events.

This is a practical, active role where your attention to detail really matters. You’ll be part of a tight-knit team that takes pride in presenting Napier’s 15 sportsgrounds at their best — creating spaces our players, supporters, and wider community can enjoy with confidence.

Te Āheinga - The Opportunity

• Play a key role in preparing and maintaining Napier’s 15 sportsgrounds to national standards, supporting a wide range of sporting codes and community events.

• Be hands-on every day – operating machinery, preparing wickets, marking fields, and presenting high-quality turf surfaces players can rely on.

• Work as part of a skilled, supportive Sportsgrounds team that takes pride in delivering top-tier facilities.

• Build strong relationships with sports clubs, codes, and the wider community while contributing to safe, welcoming public spaces.

• Grow your skills through ongoing training, varied seasonal work, and opportunities to develop your technical expertise in sports turf management.

He kōrero mōhou - About You

• Experienced in sports turf maintenance or groundskeeping, with sound knowledge of cricket, rugby, and football requirements.

• Qualified with a full driver’s licence (manual) and a current Growsafe Agrichemical Certificate.

• Recognised for being proactive, reliable, and team-focused, with a strong commitment to quality outcomes and positive public interaction.

• Adaptable and safety-conscious, with a genuine enjoyment of outdoor, hands-on work that makes a visible impact.

Ngā painga mōhou - What we Offer

• 5 weeks annual leave after 2 years service

• Discounted Health Insurance Work Scheme + Eye Test Subsidy

• Retailer Discounts + Study assistance

• Employee Assistance Program (OCP)

• Quarterly values awards + Birthday vouchers + Social club

• Free flu vaccinations (annual)

• Ka Awatea Cultural Wānanga + NCC Kapa Haka

• Te Reo Māori language classes

This is a permanent, full time opportunity working 42.5 hours per week, Monday-Friday. You’ll be based out of our operational site in Onekawa, Napier, but spend most time out across our sportsgrounds.

The hourly rate for this role is $27.27-$29.59 per hour, plus KiwiSaver if eligible, with the final offer depending on your skills and experience.

Applications for this role close on 20 March 2026, however due to the highly competitive employment market we will be interviewing applications as we receive them and may close the role when we have found the right person. Please do not delay in making your application.

He kōrero mō Te Kaunihera o Ahuriri - About NCC

At Napier City Council, we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer that values diversity. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and work to make our hiring process fair and accessible. If you need any support or adjustments during your application or interview, let us know—we’re happy to help!

Our success is grounded in strong partnerships with Mana Whenua and Iwi, supported by our Māori Partnerships team, Te Waka Rangapū, which builds cultural capability through education and training.

Before you join, you’ll need to complete pre-employment checks (including criminal background checks, with some roles requiring health screening and drug & alcohol tests). As an NCC employee, you may also be called on to support Civil Defence emergencies when our community needs us most.

Please visit Napier City Council Careers website to see full job description

Job Description – Sportsground Operator