Technical Operative I at NZ Police, Auckland

New Zealand Police is working with the community to make New Zealanders be safe and feel safe. With over 13,000 staff, we provide policing services 24 hours a day, every day. We operate by land, sea and air, manage over 860,000 emergency calls a year and are always actively preventing crime and crashes.

We’re working towards specific goals and targets that highlight our intent to work collaboratively with iwi and communities, other government sectors and business partners to deliver ‘Our Business’ and achieve long-term change.

Technical Operative – Electronics

Technical Operations Group (TOG) Covert Unit

• Based in Auckland
• Fulltime, Permanent
• Office of Constable
• Broad Banded G - I, Salary starting from $103,268
• JR 5612549

E tῡ ki te kei o te waka, kia pakia koe e ngā ngaru o te wā.

Stand at the stern of the canoe and feel the spray of the future biting at your face

Mō te tūnga | About the role

New Zealand Police is the lead agency responsible for preventing crime and enhancing community safety. Within Police it is the National Criminal Investigations Group (NCIG) who are responsible for providing specialist covert technical surveillance capabilities to primarily support serious crime (homicides) and organised crime (drugs & gangs) investigations across all Police districts.

The NCIG are now looking for Technical Operatives in the field of Electronics.

We know we’ve piqued your interest and that no other job will deliver the variety, challenge, and development that you will enjoy in this role.

This is truly a unique and exciting opportunity to join our highly innovative, motivated, and skilled team.  Working in a dynamic operational environment, the work of Operatives primarily involves the technical functions of deploying covert surveillance devices to listen to, track, or observe activity. 

Applicants to the Electronics roles will require industry experience and skills in the one or more of these fields:

• Electronics
• Radio and RF Systems
• Sound and acoustics
• Electrical
• TCP/IP
• Embedded systems
• Microphones, audio, and codecs
• Computer Networking
• Vehicle systems and electronics
• Use of hand, power, and workshop tools
• Site appreciation and installation

Additional skills including programming may be considered desirable.

A strong technical background, demonstrated initiative, innovation and a continuous improvement mind-set are key requirements for this challenging but rewarding position. Applicants will need strong fault finding and troubleshooting ability.

The Technical Operative will have good interpersonal skills, demonstrate sound judgement, and role model behaviours that encourages a positive and constructive team culture.

Key Accountabilities:

• Responds to requests for technical surveillance and support in a timely, professional and customer focused manner.
• Takes responsibility for assigned work, including projects, operational planning and deployment.
• Provides technical advice to the Operations Supervisor and Investigators to enhance planning and operational outcomes.
• Demonstrates innovation and initiative including competency to identify and / or develop bespoke solutions to overcome operational challenges.
• Contributes to operational planning, ensuring deployment and health & safety risks are identified and mitigated.
• Contributes to a healthy team environment and culture through the modelling of positive personal behaviours aligned with Our Business, Police core values, and the Police High Performance Framework.

He aha taau e kawe mai | What you’ll bring

Whilst we are looking for skills, knowledge and experience relevant to the role, we also place high importance on your state of mind, the alignment of your values with ours, your ability to contribute to and build high performing teams, and the way that you lead yourself or others.

Specifically, you will:

• Have a strong industry background demonstrating sound judgement, initiative, innovation and problem solving.
• Be able to work independently, and as part of a small team.
• Be experienced with planning and managing site installations.
• Possess a collaborative and participatory style that encourages joint working practice, information sharing and innovation.
• Hands on experience with hand and power tools in a safe and efficient manner.
• Have a high level of commitment to quality and service, with emphasis on continuous improvement, and seeking excellence.
• Have personal qualities that role models behaviours, with an emphasis on team work and workplace culture.
• Live "Our Values" and contribute to "Our Business" aspirations.
• Have or be able to obtain and maintain a Government Top Secret Security Clearance.
• Are flexible in terms of rosters, work hours and travel, and proactively engage with short notice work requirements.
• Be able to commit to standby work requirements on an on-call roster.

Whakaritenga motuhake | Special requirements

This position holds the office of Constable and requires recruitment eligibility and attendance to the Royal New Zealand Police College 20 week Recruit Course upon successful selection. Recruit Course selection will be done in collaboration with the successful applicant. More information about Police recruitment eligibility and process can be found at; https://www.newcops.govt.nz/

This role is Individual Contributor/Emerging Leader level. You can refer to Indicators for Success for further information on the requirements

To view the position description for this role please copy and paste this link into a new browser:

https://www.police.govt.nz/sites/default/files/pd/11-2025/technical_operative_-_technical_operations_group.pdf 

Security Clearance Requirements

To be eligible for this role, you will be asked to obtain and maintain a TOP SECRET national security clearance. 

The minimum criteria for this level of national security clearance is:

NZ Citizen who has resided continuously in NZ for the last 10 years, or: 

• A Permanent Resident who has resided continuously in NZ for the last 10 years, or
• A citizen of or has resided continuously in one or more of the following countries for the last 10 years: Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, or United States of America, and has a background that can be verified by the NZSIS.

Use this online tool to self-check your eligibility for a security clearance. Please note that this tool is not part of the formal security clearance process:  

http://www.protectivesecurity.govt.nz/eligibility-tool


Mo tātou | About us

New Zealand Police is the lead agency responsible for preventing crime and enhancing community safety. It works in partnership with individuals, communities, businesses, and other public sector agencies towards the vision of making New Zealand the safest country. Police is the government’s largest front-line response agency with around 15,000 staff in large and small communities all over New Zealand and in liaison and policing development roles overseas.

Your development is highly valued at NZ Police. Our employees enjoy significant investment in their development not only at an individual level, but also at the team and community of practice level. We work hard to match you with work that will both play to your strengths and challenge you in new ways.

The work you’ll be engaged in is real, tangible work that directly benefits our communities. We can offer you career opportunities and progression across the range of work we support.

To view more detailed information about our recruitment process along with further details about RNZPC requirements please click below link and visit newcops.govt.nz

Applicant Information Pack (External)

Tono ināianei | Apply now

If this position sounds like you, click apply now and submit a tailored CV. You will be required to submit an application form. Before confirmation of hire, pre-employment checks will be undertaken which include reference, drug and alcohol testing and police vetting prior to any written offer being made.  

For further information on the application process, please copy and paste this URL: https://www.police.govt.nz/careers 

All applications must be submitted online and will not be accepted directly via email. All applicants must have the right to work in New Zealand.  

Utu ā-tau | Salary

This position is covered by a collective agreement and salary will commence from $103,268.00 dependent on skills and experience relevant to the role

If you are an internal applicant, you must apply internally through the police system. You must provide an alternative contact email address and state your future commitments should you be successful in the next stage of the recruitment process. 

Please note: Deadline for applications is 5pm Thursday 11th December 2025. Applications may be reviewed prior to the close date as well as contact made with candidates.

Please note, our Recruitment Office will shut down between 19th December 2025 to 12th January 2026.

If you have any questions about this vacancy, please contact Roslyn-ann.buckeridge@police.govt.nz