Graduate and summer intern recruitment

On this page

• Talk to our graduates in person
• What graduates can expect
• What we offer
• Who we look for and when
• Our graduate success stories
• Current positions
• To apply
• Selection process
• More information

The NZTA’s commitment to professional development has been acknowledged through our accreditation as a Professional Development Partner (PDP) with the Institute of Professional Engineers of New Zealand (IPENZ). We are committed to the development of the next generation of New Zealand’s professional leaders in the land transport sector.

Talk to our graduates in person

Come and meet some current NZTA graduates at the Engineering Career Fair at Canterbury University on the 10-11th May 2012.

What graduates can expect

Our graduate programme takes place across New Zealand and is tailored to support your needs and to provide you with opportunities to develop your technical, behavioural and leadership competency.

You’ll rotate through disciplines relevant to your professional interest in order to broaden your experience and knowledge both within the NZTA and externally. This may include working with our supplier organisations or local councils. Our goal is to make sure you are ready to become a ‘Professional Member’ of your chosen industry at the end of your time in the graduate programme – and ensure you are the most sought after professionals in New Zealand.

What we offer

In return for your energy, passion, commitment, participation and enthusiasm, we will:

• provide ongoing development to help you develop in your professional career
• develop your technical, behavioural and leadership competencies
• provide mentoring and coaching throughout the programme
• help you work towards professional registration in your field
• provide a dynamic and challenging work experience, and
• once you have gained sufficient experience and development we will support you in applying for available positions in your specialist field.

Who we look for and when

Every year, usually between May and August we invite graduates and students to apply to join the NZTA graduate development and summer intern programmes. We are looking for graduates and students that embody the following qualities:

• self-motivated with real 'get up and go' and good interpersonal skills
• committed to doing the best possible job
• passionate about what you do
• excellent, confident communicators with people at all levels and different cultures
• able to work flexibly, while coping with different work demands and timeframes
• keen to be part of a winning team.

Our graduate success stories

Hear directly from some of our graduates about their experience in coming to work for us.

Jenny Chu – BE/BLLB (on-going) (University of Auckland), graduate engineer, Auckland office

'The really exciting and inspirational thing for me about being a graduate at the NZTA is that I can make a real difference - improving the lives of many by helping to connect NZ communities together. At the same time I have had development opportunities in a variety of projects that play an integral part to the day-to-day running and future planning of our national land transport system.

Last year I was working at the Joint Transport Operations Centre learning how traffic signals are programmed and how to collaborate with our stakeholders on ‘One Network’ intelligent transport systems. Now I am working in a completely different area at the Auckland Motorway Alliance on stormwater asset management. This work involves lots of on-site inspections and the challenge of finding cost-effective ways to maintain and operate these large infrastructure assets.'

James Shi - ME(Hons), BE(Hons), BA (University of Auckland), graduate engineer, Auckland office

'The Graduate Development Programme has given me heaps of opportunities to develop my technical and management skills. I enjoy my work as it is always interesting and challenging, and more importantly, I appreciate the variety of activities that I have been involved with through the work rotations and secondments that the programme provides. The areas I have been working on include contract management, asset management, project management, risk management, site supervision, and intelligent transport systems design.'

The NZTA Graduate Development and Summer Intern Programme is looking for graduates in the following professional fields

Engineering

The NZTA is a leading client organisation and has responsibility for ensuring the highway network is operated safely and efficiently. We also maintain and improve the network as well as plan and develop new highways. We work collaboratively with a wide range of contractors and consultants in order to achieve our outcomes. We are looking for graduate engineers with a passion for transportation coupled with excellent interpersonal, leadership and management skills.

Planning

The NZTA promotes the integration of land use and transport planning across New Zealand. We work closely with local councils on regional growth strategies, regional policy statements, long term council community plans, district plans and land use planning. We also work with approved organisations to invest in their delivery of transport outcomes. We are looking for planning graduates with a passion for transport coupled with excellent interpersonal, leadership and management skills.

Investment

The NZTA promotes the integration of land use and transport planning across New Zealand. We play a key role around planning and investing in transport system outcomes, providing sound investment and strategic advice to local authorities and approved organisations and ensuring the long term sustainability of the transport system. We are looking for graduates with an investment, economic or accounting background combined with a passion for transport. You must also have excellent interpersonal, leadership and management skills.

To apply

See the Graduate Engineer page for the application form and job description.

See the Summer Internship page for the application form.

Selection process

Engineering Graduate Programme

Applications will be open from 24 April till 31 May.
Applicants will be short listed in June and will be advised of the outcome.
Two assessment centres will be held in Auckland and Christchurch around mid to end of July to further short list applicants.
Final interviews will be held in early August and offers to successful applicants will be made soon after.

Engineering Summer Internship

Applications will be open from 24 April till 31 July and will be considered for selection in August.