Gardener / Qualified Gardener

City of Greater Geelong; Geelong; On-site; AUD 69,000 - 71,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Greater Geelong is seeking a dedicated Parks and Gardens professional to manage open and outdoor spaces, including community parks, reserves, streetscapes and recreational areas. This permanent full-time role demands hands-on horticultural expertise and a strong commitment to safety and community engagement.

You will be responsible for planning, planting, maintenance, and liaison with community groups while operating a range of lawn and garden equipment.

Qualifications

• Certificate III in Horticulture or Parks & Gardens required or equivalent.
• Extensive experience in horticultural maintenance for parks environments.
• Experience operating a range of Parks maintenance plant/equipment.
• Current Medium truck licence.
• Working with Children check (Employee) current.
• National Police Check and pre-employment medical assessment may be required (funded by City).

Responsibilities

• Follow directions from Team Leader and senior staff for maintenance tasks.
• Undertake site preparation, planting, maintenance and liaise with community groups.
• Operate and maintain park plant and equipment safely and efficiently.
• Adhere to Council health and safety policies and procedures.
• Provide customer-focused service and support to Parks and Gardens unit.
• Record maintenance works/time sheets on Council systems.

Skills

Horticultural knowledge

Plant maintenance experience

Park maintenance equipment operation

Safety compliance

Education

Certificate III in Horticulture or Parks & Gardens

Current Medium Truck Licence

Working with Children Check

Job description

About the role

In this role, you will be responsible for the effective and sustainable management of Council’s open and outdoor spaces including community parks, reserve assets, streetscapes, and recreational spaces.

Work type

Permanent Full-time

Classification

Band 2 $68,640 pa plus super (unqualified)
Band 3 $70,838 pa plus super (qualified)

Key responsibilities include:

• Follow all reasonable directions given by the Team Leader and other more senior staff in accordance with operational requirements which may include, but is not limited to, weeding, mowing, propagation, spraying of appropriate insecticides, herbicides and fungicides to a regular or modified program as required.
• Undertake tasks including site preparation, planting, maintenance, and liaising with community groups and the public.
• Operate and maintain plant and equipment, which may include, but is not limited to, sprayers, hand/small ride on mowers, small tractors and related machinery, in an effective and efficient manner and in compliance with relevant laws/regulations, codes of practice and applicable directives.
• Work within all Council health and safety policies and procedures.
• Displaying a positive personal contribution in assisting the City Parks and Gardens Unit in providing a customer focused service and commercially driven operation.
• Effective and efficient recording of maintenance works undertaken time sheets and plant sheets or recorded on Councils Management Maintenance system.

About you

To be successful in this role, you will have a Certificate III in Horticulture / Certificate III in Parks and Gardens or similar, or a genuine passion for horticultural maintenance in the parks environment with the commitment to undertake funded training to gain your qualification.

Essential:

• Good knowledge of a range of plant material including their growing conditions and maintenance requirements and ability to further develop knowledge through research and practical observation.
• Extensive experience in the broad range of horticultural maintenance activities performed in the Parks environment.
• Experience in operating a range of Park’s Maintenance plant and equipment.
• A current Medium truck licence.
• Current Working with Children check (Employee).
• Preferred candidates will be required to undergo a National Police Check and a pre-employment medical assessment as part of the recruitment process (funded by the City).

Child Safety Responsibilities

We are committed to being a child-safe organisation and have zero-tolerance for child abuse. We have specific policies, procedures, and mandatory training in place to support employees, volunteers, and contractors to achieve and adhere to these commitments. Please read our Child Safe Standards Management Policy.

Diversity and Inclusion

At the City we want a workforce that reflects the community we live in. We welcome and embrace everyone, all people with their own unique experiences, and support and encourage all our employees to do their best work, have equal access to opportunities and a just working environment. For this reason, we particularly welcome and encourage applications from First Nations people, people with diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, from the LGBTQIA+ community, people with disability and people of all genders, ages and diverse experience.

We are the City

From parks to offices, childcare centres to works depots, leisure facilities to the Wool Museum and waterfront, our team plays a vital role in shaping our vibrant and growing community. Our community counts on us to get the essentials right while looking for ways to go beyond. By listening, collaborating, and focusing on sustainability, we strive to do the basics brilliantly and create a lasting impact. If you’re ready to be part of something bigger, join us in shaping the future of Geelong.

We support accessibility and encourage discussions about any adjustments or support you may need during the recruitment process.

Click the Position Description link to view more information about this position.

Enquiries: Matthew Osborn | Parks Operational Leader | [e-mail]

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