Mr O'Neill, of Christchurch, specialises in high country firefighting and brings 23 years of rural fire experience to the role.
Mr O'Neill (48) said he had been searching for a fulltime position within the Fire Service, after being a volunteer rural firefighter in Canterbury for 23 years.
For the past 18 years, he has been a fire controller for the Department of Conservation, recently moving into a management role.
An electrician by trade, he started up his own business, O'Neill Electrical Ltd, 25 years ago.
Mr O'Neill said he was looking forward to meeting the volunteers and ''getting out there and doing it''.
Otago Rural Fire Authority Principal Rural Fire Officer Stephanie Rotarangi said the authority had been ''very fortunate to have a high calibre of applicants for this role''.
''Kerry has a real passion for rural fire, our communities and our volunteers,'' Dr Rotarangi said.
''He also has extensive experience in high country firefighting and rural fire management.''
Mr O'Neill starts work on May 4 and will be based at the New Zealand Fire Service offices in Thames St - a move from the Emergency Operations Centre in Severn St.
''Sharing offices with the New Zealand Fire Service is about more than building space. It allows us to share ideas and resources and strengthen our working relationship with urban brigades,'' Dr Rotarangi said.
''This assists us to deliver cohesive and effective fire services to Waitaki's communities.''
Mr O'Neill will continue to work closely with the Waitaki District Council and other emergency providers in the region.
