Garden Maintenance Crew Lead

Scott Porter Gardens; Pokolbin; On-site; AUD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Above-award wages

Full-time position

Weekly pay

Tools & uniforms provided

Professional team environment

Career progression

Job summary

Scott Porter Gardens in Pokolbin, NSW, is seeking an experienced Crew Lead to manage a garden maintenance team and deliver premium horticultural care on private estates.

This hands-on leadership role combines practical gardening work with directing daily tasks, coordinating client sites, and ensuring safety and quality across every property.

The role offers secure full-time employment, ongoing training, and the chance to shape the crew as the business grows in the Lower Hunter Valley.

Qualifications

• Qualification in Horticulture or equivalent required.
• Minimum three years of practical horticulture or garden maintenance experience.
• Experience leading a small crew and coordinating daily tasks.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate a small garden maintenance crew.
• Organise daily tasks and priorities for the team.
• Ensure safety and high-quality workmanship across all properties.
• Provide on-site training and guidance to crew members.
• Communicate with clients regarding site requirements and work completed.

Skills

Horticulture leadership

Practical horticulture knowledge

Team coordination

Safety compliance

Client communication

Manual driving licence

Education

Horticulture qualification

First aid certification

Chemical application tickets

Tools

Zero-turn mower

Chainsaw

Hedge trimmers

Gardening machinery operation

Job description

Pokolbin & Lower Hunter Valley | Full-Time

Qualified Horticulturist & Gardener – Crew Lead

Pokolbin & Lower Hunter Valley | Full-Time

About Scott Porter Gardens

Scott Porter Gardens is a well-established and growing garden maintenance business based in Pokolbin. We provide premium horticultural care and complete garden management across some of the Lower Hunter Valley’s most beautiful private estates, farms, cellar doors, boutique accommodation venues and holiday properties.

We are passionate about exceptional presentation, quality horticulture and delivering a reliable, professional service to every client.

Due to continued growth, we are seeking an experienced and capable Crew Lead to lead one of our garden maintenance teams. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced horticulturist or gardener who is ready to take greater responsibility and play an important role in the continued growth of our business.

About the Role

This is a hands-on leadership position combining high-quality horticultural work with the day-to-day direction of a small crew.

You will be responsible for ensuring scheduled work is completed efficiently, safely and to the high standard expected by Scott Porter Gardens. You will work closely with our management team while being trusted to organise your crew, communicate with clients and take ownership of the properties assigned to you.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading and coordinating a small garden maintenance crew
• Organising daily tasks and allocating work according to priorities and team capabilities
• Ensuring jobs are completed efficiently, safely and to a consistently high standard
• Providing practical direction, support and on-site training to team members
• Monitoring productivity, workmanship and presentation throughout each job
• Communicating professionally with clients regarding site requirements and work completed
• Reporting property concerns, additional work opportunities and material requirements to managementCompleting lawn mowing, edging, brush cutting, weeding and general garden maintenance
• Pruning and shaping hedges, shrubs and small trees
• Identifying plant health issues, pests, diseases and seasonal requirements
• Completing turf care, fertilising, spraying and lawn renovation work
• Planting trees, shrubs and garden beds, including appropriate soil preparation
• Operating zero-turn mowers, hedge trimmers, chainsaws, blowers and other equipment
• Applying horticultural treatments safely and according to product labels and company procedures
• Assisting with soft landscaping, garden improvements and planting projects
• Ensuring vehicles, trailers, machinery and tools are used responsibly and kept clean and organised
• Completing required job records, timesheets and site notes accurately
• Upholding company procedures, safety requirements and presentation standards across every property

What We’re Looking For

Ideally, you will have:

• A qualification in Horticulture, Parks and Gardens, Landscaping or an equivalent field
• At least three years of practical horticultural or garden maintenance experience
• Previous experience leading, supervising or coordinating a small teamStrong plant and turf knowledge, including the identification of common pests and diseases
• Experience with lawn renovation, fertiliser application and turf spraying
• Confidence operating zero-turn mowers and a wide range of garden machinery
• The ability to plan daily workloads, prioritise tasks and keep a team productive
• Strong communication skills and the confidence to deal professionally with clients
• A current manual driver’s licence
• The ability to confidently drive a ute or light truck and tow a trailer
• Good physical fitness and the ability to work outdoors in varying conditions
• A sound understanding of workplace health and safety requirements
• Chemical application qualifications, first aid certification or other relevant tickets would be highly regarded

We are also interested in hearing from experienced applicants who may not hold formal qualifications but can demonstrate a high level of practical horticultural knowledge, leadership ability and industry experience.

The Right Person

More than anything, we are looking for someone who:

• Leads by example and takes genuine pride in their work
• Has exceptional attention to detail and refuses to accept poor-quality workmanship
• Can positively direct and motivate a small team
• Is organised, reliable, punctual and well-presented
• Takes ownership of their responsibilities and follows work through to completion
• Communicates clearly and respectfully with team members, management and clients
• Can identify priorities and make sound decisions while working independently
• Remains calm and professional when plans or site conditions change
• Respects quality equipment, client properties and fellow team members
• Is willing to provide guidance and help develop less-experienced employees
• Shares our passion for maintaining exceptional gardens and outdoor spaces
• Supports the values, service standards and reputation of Scott Porter Gardens

What We Offer

• Above-award wages negotiated according to experience, leadership capability and proven ability
• A secure, full-time position within a growing business
• Weekly, reliable pay
• Quality tools, machinery and uniforms provided
• A friendly, supportive and professional team environment
• The opportunity to work across some of the Lower Hunter Valley’s most impressive properties
• Varied work across premium gardens, estates, farms, cellar doors and accommodation venues
• Ongoing training and professional development
• Genuine responsibility and the opportunity to help shape and develop your crew
• Further career progression as the business continues to grow
• A workplace that values quality workmanship, reliability, leadership and its team members