CIS Technician

Communication and Information Systems Technician. Master some of the world's most sophisticated communications technology and be ready to travel with it throughout the Pacific region, to destinations in the northern hemisphere or even the Antarctic continent.

Category: Operations Support Trades
Salary after one year: Remuneration on enlistment $33,256. This is the minimum remuneration you will be paid from day one. Your remuneration will increase upon graduation of recruit course to $40,869 and will increase on promotion and seniority.

Joining age: You must be at least 17 years of age

Qualifications: A minimum of 12 NCEA Level 2 Credits in English, Mathematics and a Science subject. Computer skills beneficial. Must have Restricted Class 1 Manual Drivers Licence.

Nationality: Applicants must be a NZ citizen (some exceptions apply).

// FULL JOB DESCRIPTION

As a CIS Technician, your job will be to set up and operate tactical radio and satellite-based communication systems. You will also be responsible for keeping operational data flowing efficiently and securely through the many networks we use to support our missions here in NZ and overseas.
We need technicians who:

are motivated by the challenge of using some of the world’s best military communications technology
enjoy problem solving, and
can adapt to the many CIS environments to which our work takes us.

// JOB BENEFITS

You’ll have opportunities to work with the other services (Navy and Army) of the New Zealand Defence Force – and with multi-national coalition partners should you be selected for an NZDF mission overseas. The role offers great career prospects too, because once you've gained experience as a CIS Technician, you can take on more challenging roles in CIS management or training positions.

// TRAINING

Once you’ve successfully completed 12 weeks basic military training at RNZAF Base Woodbourne, you’ll undergo a 30-week primary trade training course. This covers radio operating, military communication network procedures, keyboard skills and security. You’ll learn basic electronics theory, technical support skills, and computing hardware and software fundamentals. You will also be trained in the correct use of hand tooling, high reliability soldering techniques and manufacture and termination of data cables. There’s plenty of practical work too, including a one-week field exercise. You will then be employed as a CIS Mechanic for approximately 24 months in a CIS unit. While here, you will complete some 4WD training and deploy with a team on at least one tactical exercise.

You will then be eligible for your advanced trade training. This course is around 13 weeks, and includes advanced communication procedures, some more electronics, antenna and radio wave propagation theory, general tactical training, and advanced computing and networking, for which you will attain an internationally recognised CCNA qualification. Before joining your new CIS unit, your advanced training ends with a one-week field exercise to consolidate and put into practice all of your new skills.

// JOB REQUIREMENTS

You must be at least 17 years of age and have a minimum of 12 NCEA Level 2 Credits in English, Mathematics and a Science subject. Computer skills beneficial. Must have Restricted Class 1 Manual Drivers Licence.