Jono Hattrell
Cargo Handler
Jono is currently on a 12-month secondment as a Learning Specialist within Port Otago’s People Team. This role involves identifying learning needs across the company, then developing learning solutions. Jono will be creating interactive online training packages and practical assessments, primarily for the Operations Team.
How long have you been at Port Otago?
Since March 2020.
What did you do before you came to Port Otago?
I moved from Tasmania to New Zealand in 1998 to do a ski season. I've been here ever since. I'd done some tramping, guiding and rock climbing in Tassie, and I had an idea in my head that I wanted to get into mountaineering. The outdoors became my career. So, prior to working at the port, I was an alpine trekking guide for Alpine Recreation. I'd be away from home for sometimes up to three or four weeks at a time. Often, I'd be getting up at 3 or 4am to prepare breakfast for clients, walking all day, then cooking clients dinner before going to bed about 10pm. I got tired of being away from home and the long days.
Why Port Otago?
For me, I wanted a job that was about connection to a place. I thought about the sorts of jobs that appealed to me and kept an eye on Seek and for a role at port. When I started, I had two weeks of induction then, only a week into the role, Covid lockdown happened. All of a sudden, I was an essential worker driving to port through the deserted streets of Dunedin, as one of two teams working the ships.
What does your role involve?
As a Cargo Handler, you don't know what you're doing until you show up to work. You look at the Day Sheet to find out what job you're doing. For me, that's driving straddles, or lashing, mainly. The shift starts with a daily briefing, where any safety hazards and incidents are talked about, then you're into it. If you're driving or lashing, you generally work two hours, then have a 40-minute break. I've also been given the opportunity to train people to drive straddles, which has been great.
How do the hours work?
By 3pm the day before, you find out what your shifts are. For example, by 3pm on Monday, you get a message through the work App to say what shift you're on for Tuesday – and that might actually be 11pm that Monday night. Other than your five weeks of annual leave, you're basically available 24/7 on any given week for up to 40 hours (plus overtime if it's offered and you agree to it). As standard, we work 8-hour shifts: 7am to 3pm, 3pm to 11pm, and sometimes 11pm to 7am. A lot of people find the roster really challenging – and it is. But, for me, I'm glad to be at home in my own bed each night, after years of being away for weeks of the year.
How do you manage time off?
The inability to plan is a downside, so it's good to book the odd weekend off and lock it in.
If there's a gig or rugby game I want to go to, I buy the tickets. If it turns out I'm working, I give them to a to mate. But 80% of time, it actually works out.
What skills and attributes do you need for your job?
Because of the shifts, you need to be the kind of person who doesn't like routine! It helps to have a good head for heights. You've got to be happy working in a big team with lots of different personalities. And most importantly, you're working with big machinery and heavy containers, so you have to be really safety focussed.
How fit do you need to be?
Lashing is physical work and definitely requires some fitness. Driving on the other hand doesn't keep you fit! My fitness has dropped, compared to my old job. You've got to be pretty motivated to stay fit. I try to e-bike to work when I can, which takes me about 35 minutes.
What's the best part of your job?
Three things:
- For someone with no relevant qualification, what you earn is pretty good, at $80k plus. Where, so close to home, can you earn that sort of money?
- I like that I work, then I finish. There's zero stress to take home.
- You've got to love the view. When you're up in the straddle, it's wonderful. Yes, it's industrial, but you're looking out over that harbour.
What's the worst part of your job?
The unpredictability of the schedule, the repetitive aspect of some tasks, and – for most people – the cold, wet weather. Although, I love the weather.
Do you have your eye on a particular job at Port?
I'm really happy working as a Cargo Handler, and there are still lots of things for me to learn within that role. My next step will be to learn to drive the side loaders*.
* Jono has since been signed off to drive the side loaders.