Grounds Supervisor/Leading Hand

Charter Diligence; Canberra; On-site; AUD 65,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

Charter Diligence seeks a Grounds Supervisor / Leading Hand to oversee sportsground maintenance across Canberra. This hands-on leadership role combines turf management expertise with staff supervision, coordination and quality assurance.

You will lead a field-based team maintaining sporting surfaces and related facilities, ensuring work is safe, efficient and meets standards. The role supports irrigation operations and on-the-job training.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in turf management and sportsground maintenance.
• Experience supervising a team in grounds maintenance or parks operations.
• Strong knowledge of turf care, irrigation, and sportsground presentation.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and coordinate daily grounds maintenance across Canberra sports facilities.
• Lead, motivate and support field staff to achieve operational priorities.
• Oversee turf care activities including mowing, fertilising, irrigation, line marking, and renovation.

Skills

Turf management

Sportsground maintenance

Team supervision

Irrigation systems

Safety compliance

Education

Certificate III in Turf Management

Tools

Mowing equipment

Irrigation control systems

Job description

Our Client

Our client is an ACT Government organisation responsible for delivering essential city services, maintaining public spaces and supporting community infrastructure across Canberra. Its operations span environmental management, city presentation, parks and open spaces, and the upkeep of community sporting facilities.

Our client is an ACT Government organisation responsible for delivering essential city services, maintaining public spaces and supporting community infrastructure across Canberra. Its operations span environmental management, city presentation, parks and open spaces, and the upkeep of community sporting facilities.

The organisation plays an important role in maintaining government-managed sportsgrounds, including enclosed ovals, district playing fields, neighbourhood ovals and synthetic turf surfaces. With a focus on community wellbeing, service quality and environmental presentation, the team supports sporting organisations and residents by ensuring facilities remain safe, functional and ready for use.

Why Contract With Us

At Charter Diligence, we go beyond just placement — we support our contractors with practical benefits that reflect real-life needs. All contractors engaged through us have access to early cash advances on approved timesheets, offering flexibility in cases of unforeseen expenses or cash flow challenges. Unlike traditional labour hire providers, we understand that life doesn’t always align with a pay cycle — and we're here to help when it matters most. Well, ask around if they’re already a Charter Diligence Contractor — chances are, they’re already benefiting from the support we provide.

About The Role

An opportunity is available for a Grounds Supervisor / Leading Hand to oversee sportsground maintenance operations across Canberra. This hands-on leadership position combines technical turf management expertise with staff supervision, operational coordination and quality assurance.

You will lead a field-based team responsible for maintaining sporting surfaces and associated facilities, ensuring work is completed safely, efficiently and to the required standards. The role also involves supporting irrigation operations, coordinating maintenance activities and developing team capability through practical guidance and on-the-job training.

This position would suit an experienced turf or grounds maintenance professional who enjoys working outdoors, leading a team and contributing to the quality of community sporting facilities.

Contract Details

• Position: Grounds Supervisor / Leading Hand
• Classification: Technical Officer Level 2
• Pay Rate: $55.77 per hour + superannuation
• Location: Waramanga Depot, Canberra, ACT
• Working Arrangement: Onsite only
• Start Date: ASAP, subject to a cleared police check
• Contract Duration: 6 months

Key Responsibilities

• Supervise and coordinate daily grounds maintenance operations across designated sporting facilities in Canberra.
• Lead, motivate and support field staff to achieve operational priorities and maintain consistent service standards.
• Oversee turf care activities, including mowing, fertilising, irrigation, line marking, turf renovation and general horticultural maintenance.
• Monitor sportsground conditions and coordinate maintenance requirements to keep playing surfaces safe, presentable and suitable for community use.
• Assist with the operation and monitoring of irrigation systems, including irrigation scheduling, programming and reporting.
• Provide technical guidance to team members on turf management practices, equipment use and horticultural procedures.
• Coordinate the allocation of staff, machinery, equipment and materials to support efficient completion of scheduled work.
• Inspect completed work to ensure quality standards, agreed procedures and operational requirements are met.
• Promote safe work practices and ensure team members comply with workplace health and safety procedures.
• Identify hazards, report incidents and take appropriate action to reduce risks to employees, contractors and facility users.
• Support the induction, training and ongoing development of permanent, temporary and new team members.
• Maintain accurate daily work records, operational reports, costing information and other required administrative documentation.
• Operate and oversee grounds maintenance machinery and equipment in accordance with relevant safety requirements.
• Respond to changing maintenance priorities, weather conditions and facility requirements to maintain continuity of service.
• Communicate effectively with internal stakeholders, sporting organisations and other relevant parties regarding maintenance activities and operational issues.
• Demonstrate professional conduct and promote a workplace culture based on respect, collaboration, accountability, safety and continuous improvement.

About You

• Demonstrated experience in turf management, sportsground maintenance, horticulture, landscaping or a related outdoor maintenance environment.
• Previous experience supervising a team or acting as a Leading Hand in grounds maintenance, parks operations or a similar field-based setting.
• Strong practical knowledge of turf care, irrigation systems, plant maintenance and sportsground presentation.
• Experience setting up, operating and maintaining turf management machinery, equipment and associated tools.
• Ability to coordinate daily workloads, allocate resources and monitor team performance against operational requirements.
• Understanding of the maintenance needs of sporting facilities and the expectations of sportsground users.
• Sound knowledge of workplace health and safety practices, including hazard identification, risk management and safe equipment operation.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to provide clear instructions, resolve routine operational issues and work effectively with diverse teams.
• A proactive leadership style that encourages teamwork, accountability, respect and continuous learning.
• Good organisational and record-keeping skills, including confidence using computers and relevant software applications.
• Certificate III or higher in Turf Management, or a relevant equivalent qualification.
• ChemCert Level 3 or an equivalent recognised chemical handling qualification.
• Current White Card and asbestos awareness training.
• Silica awareness and exposure prevention training, or willingness to complete relevant training where required.
• Current C-class driver’s licence and willingness to obtain a medium rigid truck licence within six months of appointment, where required.
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions, wear the required uniform and personal protective equipment, and undertake the physical requirements of the role, including lifting approximately 20-25 kg.
• Willingness to work across different locations within the ACT and independently when operationally required.
• Ability to successfully complete the required pre-employment medical assessment and police check.
• As a mandatory requirement for this contract role required by our client, applicants are kindly asked to complete a compliance check and upload their work rights verification at www.charterdiligence.com.au/portal. Incomplete submissions may not be considered. If you have any questions or need assistance with the process, please don’t hesitate to contact our team—we’re here to help.

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we operate and pay respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders past and present.

Charter Diligence is a 100% Australian-owned equal opportunity and LGBTQIA+ equity consulting firm and recruitment agency that provides the same benefits and opportunities for hiring and advancement to everyone without discriminating due to protected characteristics such as age, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, nationality, religion, disability, and medical history.