Pre-joining Requirements
- Be a minimum of 17 years of age
- Have completed at least three years of secondary education
- Be a NZ citizen or have permanent residency and have lived in NZ for five years
- Be medically fit for service
- Be of good character – assessed by study of testimonials and a police record check
- Be free of any criminal convictions for the previous two years
- A minimum of three years secondary education
- No decreased colour perception
Download the 
Entry Requirements Guide to see what school subjects and credits are required.
Your Lifestyle
Email family and friends from the Arabian Gulf, surf the net from Scott Base, or patrol the coastline working on up to date communications equipment while protecting New Zealand’s maritime resources. Communications Operators operate and manage a variety of specialised military networks including Satellite, Local Area Networks, Classified Wide Area Networks, Radio, and even Morse code, Flashing Light and Flag Signalling. As a Communications Operator your role is to provide reliable, efficient and secure communications for the Defence Force 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year in New Zealand and overseas.
Career Progression
You will start your career with initial and professional training before gaining experience through practical, supervised on job training. Employment opportunities for Communications Operators exist both ashore and at sea, whether you are carrying out long range Combat missions, conducting Support roles in the Pacific or patrolling New Zealand's territorial waters. Further courses, promotions and career opportunities exist for Communications Operators throughout your career in the Navy.
As your career progresses, you will undertake further training to develop your generic leadership skills and specialist skills. The ability to manage people effectively and efficient is a key part of your development. This training will provide you with additional skills and expertise to assist with your career progression.
Training
Following Basic Common Training, Communications Operators complete a 22 week Communications Operator course at Devonport Naval Base, Auckland. The following subjects are included:
- Military communications systems
- Radio communications
- Touch typing and keyboard skills
- Secure telephone
- Military communications networks
- Message handling and processing
- Flashing light and morse code
Your Future
Employment opportunities for Communications Operators exist both ashore and at sea, and as part of deployed forces, whether they are carrying out long range combat missions, conducting support roles in the Pacific or patrolling New Zealand's territorial waters. Regardless of work location, at sea or ashore, Defence Communications is a 24 hour operation, and Communications Operators are expected to perform shift work for much of their career. This is compensated for by additional time off and allowances.
Following training, a Communications Operator's first role is likely to be ashore at the Communications Centre in Devonport Naval Base consolidating skills and developing additional expertise for use at sea. Although this position is supervised, successful Communications Operators require a high degree of self motivation in order to complete the tasks required.
The first role at sea as a Communications Operator is on board any one of the Navy ships as a part of the Ship's Warfare Team, where the opportunity exists to work diligently towards gaining promotion to Able Communications Operator. Service at sea can be for a period of up to two years, depending on the requirements of the Navy.
Career Progression Chart
Crew
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Apply Now
To apply for this job contact us on 0800 NZ NAVY, contact a recruitment consultant in your area or download the Application Form now.
More information about the joining process can be found in our How to Join section.