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Navy

Hydrographic Survey Officer

Hydrographic Survey Officers lead teams undertaking survey work in support of everything from beach landings to identifying routes through minefields. You will be trained as a leader, a mariner and a surveyor. Your career will be diverse and challenging with regularly changing roles both within and outside the hydrographic survey trade.

Mō te tūranga

About the role

  • Specialisations

    Navigation | Officers & Management | Operational support

  • Entry type

    Officer entry

  • Under training

    $68,103

  • Location

    Devonport

Hydrographic Survey Officers are qualified in all aspects of military hydrography.  Accurate, up-to-date charts and geospatial information are essential to enabling operations at sea and especially in the littoral environment, ensuring hydrographers will continue to be at the forefront of operations.  You will gain many technical skills in your time as a hydrographic surveyor utilising a wide range of software and hardware in a field that is rapidly evolving.

As a Hydrographic Survey Officer, your career will commence with Warfare Officer training. The skillsets you develop in the first  few years of your career, alongside your Warfare Officer course mates, will be developed as you progress. On achieving Warfare Officer qualification milestones you will specialise, undertaking Hydrographic Survey Training as detailed below. Being a Hydrographer still gives you the option of one day becoming Captain of your own ship.

Requirements

Basics

  • Must be 18 years old by the time you graduate from recruit course.
  • Eligible to meet national security clearance criteria, as stipulated by the Government's Protective Security Requirements.

Education

Minimum: NCEA Level 2 certificate.

Find out more about the NCEA levels and certificate requirements

 

Scholarship Entry: The Air Force offer undergraduate scholarships for candidates who demonstrate the qualities required to become an Air Warfare Officer.

The scholarships are:

  • RNZAF Undergraduate Scheme: Study at an approved university institution of your choice while the Air Force covers your fees and a living allowance on a 'year for a year' return of service basis.

View our Scholarship programs.

Citizenship

There are strict citizenship and security requirements to gain the required TS security clearance for this trade.
Find out if you’re eligible here.

We offer guidance on entry requirements in our eligibility section. Apply if you're uncertain, as we’ll work through the criteria with you to determine if you can proceed.

Discover more about hydrography as a career

Benefits & allowances

Earn a competitive salary while training or learning your trade, along with additional allowances for time spent in the field, at sea, overseas, or deployed on operations.

In addition to salary and allowances, other benefits of joining the New Zealand Defence Force include:

  • Access to your Service marae or tūrangawaewae
  • Sponsored tertiary study programmes at all levels
  • Free access to gyms and swimming pools on camp and bases
  • Opportunities to travel
  • Free and subsidised medical and dental care
  • Subsidised food and accommodation on camps and bases
  • Free and subsidised insurance cover
  • Help to buy a home and save for retirement

Salary & benefits

Careers in the Navy are well-rewarded, as well as being diverse and exciting. As you become more experienced and move up through the ranks, gaining additional skills and qualifications, you will see your salary rise accordingly.

  • Under training

    $68,103

  • Future potential earnings

    $142,000

Career progression and training

01Basic Training

02Job Training

03Ongoing Training

04Career Progression

Be Prepared

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Am I fit enough?

If you want to be part of the NZ Defence Force you need to be medically and physically fit for military duties worldwide.

Medical & Fitness
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The application process

Your step-by-step guide on what to expect at various stages of the application process, specifically for military roles.

Application process
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Ready to start your Navy career?

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