Laboratory Technical Officer

Laboratory Technical Officer - Equipment

Role type: Permanent full-time

Location: Wallaceville, Upper Hutt

Salary band & range: General Salary Range G - $67,658 to $89,957 depending on skills and experience

Do you want to work in an organisation that is `Growing and protecting New Zealand' and focused on the success of the primary industries for the benefit of all New Zealanders?

About the Role - Korero mo te Turanga

The Ministry for Primary Industries has a rare and exciting opportunity for a permanent full-time Laboratory Technical Officer (LTO) - Equipment, to join the Assurance, Biosafety and Containment Team at MPI's Animal Health Laboratory.

The Animal Health Laboratory (AHL) located in Wallaceville, Upper Hutt is New Zealand's reference centre for exotic, new and emerging terrestrial and aquatic animal diseases and contains both PC2 and PC3+ laboratory facilities.

The Assurance, Biosafety and Containment Team is a multi-disciplinary team responsible for operational systems that ensure a safe operating environment and compliance to the required regulations and standards.

The LTO - Equipment position is a key role in the effective functioning of the laboratory with key responsibilities including:

• Whole of life asset management of AHL laboratory equipment
• Development, maintenance and continual improvement of appropriate lab equipment asset management systems, records and reporting
• Management of laboratory equipment servicing and maintenance
• Contract management for servicing and maintenance of lab equipment

The role involves building effective working relationships with all laboratory teams and the Senior LTO - Procurement and Resources. The role would suit applicants who enjoy a desk-based position and who have experience of equipment management and working in a laboratory environment.

You will be an excellent team player, a highly effective communicator, have strong relationship management skills and be adaptable and calm under pressure.

The role offers unique opportunities to develop your skills within a large and dynamic organisation.

About You - Mou

Our ideal candidate will have:

• NCEA Level 3 or equivalent
• Experience working with a range of laboratory equipment
• Experience complying with Health and Safety regulations
• Experience of asset management systems
• Experience working within and across teams
• Effective communication (verbal and written)
• Strong attention to detail and quality focus
• Ability to work within the constraints of and follow the procedures used in a PC3+ containment laboratory
• Capacity to plan work in line with priorities and coordinate work activities with others
• A good understanding of office procedures and/or government department protocols

You do not need to meet all of the role requirements to apply. We offer a breadth of development and learning opportunities and will welcome an application if you think you could make a great fit.

About the Team - Mo to matou Ropu

This role reports to the Team Manager Assurance, Biosafety & Containment. You will work within a broad team of capabilities, from Technical Assistants, Biosafety Officers, Containment Engineers and procurement experts.

The Animal Health Laboratory (AHL) provides a vital role in diagnosis and control of new and emerging animal disease to protect New Zealand and support trade.

About MPI - Mo te Manatu Ahu Matua

Our role includes seizing export opportunities for our food and fibre sector, improving sector productivity, ensuring the food we produce is safe, increasing sustainable resource use, and protecting New Zealand from biological risk.

Benefits of working at MPI - Nga hua o te mahi i te Manatu Ahu Matua

• Additional MPI leave days
• Annual Wellness payment
• Bi-annual paid eye test and contribution to the costs of corrective lenses/frames

Are you ready to make a difference? - Kua rite koe mo tenei mahi whaitake?

We are committed to being a good partner under Te Tiriti o Waitangi which includes working closely with iwi, hapu, whanau and hapori.

We aspire to reflect the diverse communities we serve, so we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, and identities. As an organisation, we are committed to making Manatu Ahu Matua Ministry for Primary Industries a great place to work for all.

In your cover letter we'd like to know about you, your values; your interest and motivations for this role; the abilities, strengths, personal attributes and diverse perspectives you will bring to the role and this organisation, which may have also been gained outside of the workforce.

To view the Position Description and/or apply online, please click "APPLY FOR THIS JOB" or visit the MPI Careers Site. To apply, you must hold the right to work in New Zealand or be eligible to obtain it - click here to find out more about work visa eligibility and options.

Applications close at 11.59pm on Sunday, 23 November 2025.

If you have any questions about the role, please email

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