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Electronics Technician

Job Group

  • Soldier

Job Availability

  • Full Time
  • Part Time

The Role

Electronics Technicians are vital to the running of the modern Army. They install, test and repair a wide range of sophisticated equipment, from radios to night vision and optical equipment. You will gain a trade qualification backed up with a variety of experiences and challenges which you would never find in the civilian workplace.

Job on Camp

In your role of Electronics Technician you will be inspecting and maintaining various types of equipment. There is a huge range of different equipment within the New Zealand Army and as an Electronics Technician you will be responsible for maintaining it to operational standards. This job involves lots of thinking, fault finding and radio testing on test equipment. You will also spend time in a dedicated optics room testing and repairing night vision and optical instrumentation. There is a high level of dexterity involved in maintaining and testing highly delicate equipment. 

You will also work with front line units, repairing equipment on exercises in the field. You will be the expert on electronic equipment and will be the go to person if others have questions about equipment they are using.  

Once you are qualified you will have the opportunity to maintain the electronic systems on a Light Armoured Vehicle (LAV).

Job on Deployment

Electronics Technicians deploy on a variety of overseas exercises and deployments in support of operational units and activities.

While on deployment you could be providing LAV, equipment, radio and night vision maintenance and support. You will also complete technical inspections to ensure the equipment is operational.

Career Progression

As your career progresses, you will learn about various communications and optical equipment from qualified instructors at the Army's Trade Training School, your place of work and WelTech.

Pay & Benefit Details

The minimum remuneration you will be paid from your enlistment is $35,694. Your remuneration will increase upon graduation of your recruit course to $42,487 and will continue to increase on promotion and seniority.

General Requirements

  • You must be at least 17 years of age.

  • You must be a NZ citizen (some exceptions apply).

  • You must be of good character – assessed by a study of testimonials and a police record check.

  • Any practical experience repairing radio communications and sighting equipment will make you a more competitive applicant.

  • Driver's Licence: A Class 1 restricted driver's licence is recommended, but is not compulsory.

Educational Requirements

  • Year 12 completion.

  • A proven ability in English, Maths and Physics or general science at NCEA Level 2 (12 credits per subject) or equivalent.

Fitness Requirements

  • You must be medically fit for service.

  • 100% visual colour perception required.

Period of Service

Once you have completed training you will be required to give a two year return of service to the NZ Army.

Training

Basic Training

Upon successful enlistment into the Army you will be posted to Waiouru Army base. Here you will do 16 weeks of basic military training to find out if you have what it takes to be in the Army, and learn various subjects including:

    •    Organisation and Administration

    •    Army Customs and Protocol

    •    Drill and Parades

    •    Military Field Skills and Weapon Training

    •    First Aid

    •    Physical Fitness

Job Training

RNZALR Basic Training

Your initial trade training will be conducted at the Trade Training School (TTS) in Trentham camp near Wellington. This is a two-week course where you will be introduced to the Royal NZ Army Logistic Regiment.

Basic Electronic Technicians Course

This 16 week course is designed to give you an insight into the repair and maintenance of optical equipment, workshop documentation and procedures, and basic soldering and engineering skills.

 

Junior Electronic Technician Course

This 17 week course is designed to give you an insight into the repair and maintenance of communications and ancillary equipment, from field telephones and radios to test equipment. You will also learn about night vision and rifle scopes. On completion of this course you will be posted to the workshop at either Linton or Burnham.

Ongoing Training

Intermediate Electronic Technician Course

This 7 week course is designed to develop your repair and maintenance skills on more advanced communications systems and LAVs. 

Senior Electronic Technicians Course

This 3 week course covers advanced electronic equipment and a deeper look at the NZ LAV electronics.

 

The opportunity exists to study at Wellington Institute of Technology (WelTech) for a National Diploma in Electronics Engineering up to module 5. Training lasts approximately five years and combines polytechnic block courses with formal equipment based training

Specialist Training

Electronics Technicians will also learn maintenance and repair on NZ Army bomb disposal robot and become crew commanders of LAVR, which is the workshop’s specialist recovery LAV. 

Location Details

For the first eighteen months, you will be posted to Trentham Military Camp while you complete your initial trade training and commence your National Diploma in Engineering at WelTech.

After that you will be posted to one of the Army's operational workshops, located at either Linton or Burnham Camps.

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    ELECTRONICS TECHNICIAN

    Electronics Technician's are vital in the running of the new modern Army. They install, test and repair a wide range of sophisticated equipment, from radios to night vision and optical equipment.

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