Updating Results

Hamilton City Council

4.1
  • #2 in Government & public service
  • 500 - 1,000 employees

Hamilton City Council Graduate Programs & Internships

  • Government & Public Service

From pipes to playgrounds, parks to parking, pools to paintings, and so much more –the range and complexity of what we do is staggering.

Whether it's permits or planning, policies or partnerships, the people of Hamilton are our top priority.

Around 1200 staff across 29 business units and 20 different sites are responsible for keeping our great river city running now, and helping to ensure it will continue to thrive into the future.

We offer a range of different roles - including Zoo Keepers, Building Inspectors, Engineers, Accountants, Gardeners and many more!

But more important than what we do is why and how we do it.

We look for people who ooze our behaviours – Think Differently, Act with Integrity, Work Together and Make it Happen – have an open mindset and are always willing to grow and develop.

Underpinning everything we do is our purpose: to improve the wellbeing of Hamiltonians.

Recruitment Process

  • Apply

Have a look at our current vacancies, find the right fit and click Apply Now.

  • Shortlist

We create the shortlist; if you are selected then get prepared for the next exciting step.

  • Interviews

We will contact you for an interview where we get to know you in more depth. Our questions tend to be behavioural and competency-based, meaning we will be looking for you to provide examples to demonstrate your experience. Initial interviews maybe by phone or online video. If successful, this will be followed by either an online or a face-to-face interview where you also get the chance to ask more about the position and what it will be like working for us. For some of our positions, we may ask you to attend more than one interview.

  • Pre-employment checks

If you are our preferred candidate after the interview, we will undertake our pre-employment checks. 

These are role dependent and the checks are undertaken vary depending on the role and the work being undertaken:

  • Ministry of Justice/NZ Police Vetting: for conviction history - only one of these checks will be completed.
  • Pre-employment medical assessment: for roles requiring labour, or in environments of risk (chemicals/noise etc).
  • Credit check: for roles that have financial responsibility (i.e. P-card or PO approvals).
  • Qualification check: for specialised roles that require confirmation of achievement (i.e. Engineers, Planners) and if relevant to the Children's Act 2014.
  • Professional membership checks: if required, to acknowledge continuous professionalism and development within the industry (i.e. CA ANZ, PINZ) or if relevant to Children's Act (i.e. Teachers Council for education-based roles and when the role require frequent interaction with children).

All roles covered by the Children's Act 2014, require shortlisted candidates to undergo all relevant safety checks under the Act before commencing employment, as well as during employment.

  • Assessments and testing

Generally, psychometric assessments and skills-based tests will be done following background checking. Not all of our roles require this step. If you are asked to complete a psychometric assessment it's likely to be either a personality or ability assessment (or both) and these can be completed online. These assessments do not have any weight on the decision-making of being successful for the role or not - this is considered another tool to get to know you more, and help us to help you once you start in the role.  You will receive a copy of the assessment results and feedback.

The skills-based testing may include online tests, written tests, presentations or manual work-based tests.

  • The offer

Congratulations! If you're the right person for the job then expect a call to confirm this. Your offer letter and agreement will be emailed to you soon after this call.

  • Acceptance

To confirm acceptance you will need to return to us by emailing us a signed copy of your offer. 

Welcome to Hamilton City Council, your manager will be in touch to discuss your first day, and may get you started on your on-boarding before you start with us.

Remuneration & Career Growth

Community day
You'll get a day off work each year to help a recognised community organisation.

Wellbeing day
Enjoy one day a year that doesn't come off your annual leave balance to spend with family.

Flexible working hours
We want our staff to have a good work/life balance. Many roles offer flexible working hours.

Flu jabs
Flu jabs are free to all of our staff.

Medical insurance
You will be eligible for discounted health insurance through Southern Cross.

Paid parental leave
We offer support over and above what legislation prescribes which means your annual leave keeps accruing while you're on parental leave so it's ready for you when you get back.

Social clubs
We have an active social club that engages in a variety of social events like quiz nights and after-work drinks.​

Sick leave
​All permanent employees get sick leave on commencement and we offer over and above what legislation prescribes.​

Graduate Reviews

Overall Score
4.1
Overall score based on 6 reviews
They Score Best in…
8.0
Management
8.2
Office Work Environment
9.4
Sustainability
8.0
Management
8.2
Office Work Environment
9.4
Sustainability
What Graduates Say About Them
  • Constantly changing environment and some of the people I have met.
  • Extremely supportive environment Fun work place culture Friendly staff.
  • Good people and support from the organization
  • Probably the health insurance; I haven't had to use it yet, but it's nice to know it's there if I need it.
  • Fexibility/freedom given
  • A lot of uncertainty around job security, not a very creative environment.
  • Low pay Limited recourses
  • Salary
  • So far I haven't come across any negatives
  • Lack of clarity in objectives at times

Jobs & Opportunities

Locations With Jobs & Opportunities
  • Hamilton
Hiring candidates with qualifications in
B
Business & Management
C
Creative Arts
E
Engineering & Mathematics
H
Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences
I
IT & Computer Science
L
Law, Legal Studies & Justice
M
Medical & Health Sciences
P
Property & Built Environment
S
Sciences
T
Teaching & Education

Graduate Success Stories


  • Graduate stories
Making the customer feel comfortable and giving good suggestions to them if something went wrong and working along with them to correct things will make me think I am doing my role in the right way.

Arvind Kumar

  • Graduate stories
Making the customer feel comfortable and giving good suggestions to them if something went wrong and working along with them to correct things will make me think I am doing my role in the right way.

Arvind Kumar

  • Graduate stories
As a building review officer, it is a big responsibility since we are the ones who see those plans and make sure that all of the parts of the structure are compliant with the building code.

John Manibog

  • Graduate stories
As a building review officer, it is a big responsibility since we are the ones who see those plans and make sure that all of the parts of the structure are compliant with the building code.

John Manibog

  • Graduate stories
Making the customer feel comfortable and giving good suggestions to them if something went wrong and working along with them to correct things will make me think I am doing my role in the right way.

Arvind Kumar

  • Graduate stories
Making the customer feel comfortable and giving good suggestions to them if something went wrong and working along with them to correct things will make me think I am doing my role in the right way.

Arvind Kumar

  • Graduate stories
As a building review officer, it is a big responsibility since we are the ones who see those plans and make sure that all of the parts of the structure are compliant with the building code.

John Manibog

  • Graduate stories
As a building review officer, it is a big responsibility since we are the ones who see those plans and make sure that all of the parts of the structure are compliant with the building code.

John Manibog


A Day In The Life Of


  • Day in the life

Arvind Kumar

I carry out the requested inspections on site, take some photos to make the report, and if the work complies with the building consent, it will pass the inspection.
  • Day in the life

Arvind Kumar

I carry out the requested inspections on site, take some photos to make the report, and if the work complies with the building consent, it will pass the inspection.
  • Day in the life

John Manibog

When I arrive to work, I usually check my emails if any of the clients responded to the RFIs (Request for Information) that I sent them. Also, I check my daily report on the task that needs to be done or prioritised.
  • Day in the life

John Manibog

When I arrive to work, I usually check my emails if any of the clients responded to the RFIs (Request for Information) that I sent them. Also, I check my daily report on the task that needs to be done or prioritised.
  • Day in the life

Arvind Kumar

I carry out the requested inspections on site, take some photos to make the report, and if the work complies with the building consent, it will pass the inspection.
  • Day in the life

Arvind Kumar

I carry out the requested inspections on site, take some photos to make the report, and if the work complies with the building consent, it will pass the inspection.
  • Day in the life

John Manibog

When I arrive to work, I usually check my emails if any of the clients responded to the RFIs (Request for Information) that I sent them. Also, I check my daily report on the task that needs to be done or prioritised.
  • Day in the life

John Manibog

When I arrive to work, I usually check my emails if any of the clients responded to the RFIs (Request for Information) that I sent them. Also, I check my daily report on the task that needs to be done or prioritised.

Videos


What does Council Do?

You will be surprised at just how diverse the Hamilton City Council is. No matter if finance and money is your thing, engineering or gardening - your dream role may well exist in council.

What have we been up to?

Take a look at our progress over the past 3 years

What does Council Do?

You will be surprised at just how diverse the Hamilton City Council is. No matter if finance and money is your thing, engineering or gardening - your dream role may well exist in council.

What have we been up to?

Take a look at our progress over the past 3 years