Horticulturalist - Landscape Maintenance

Wollongong City Council; Wollongong City Council; On-site; AUD 82,000 - 91,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work options

Rostered days off (RDO)

Five weeks annual leave

Wellbeing programs

Job summary

Wollongong City Council is seeking a Horticulturalist - Landscape Maintenance to maintain and enhance parks, gardens and public spaces across Wollongong. You will apply horticultural expertise to select plant species and contribute to landscape improvements, while maintaining beds and open spaces as part of a collaborative crew.

The role requires hands-on maintenance, safe work practices, and a commitment to delivering high-quality outdoor spaces for the community.

Qualifications

• Minimum Certificate III in Horticulture.
• Solid experience in parks and garden maintenance.
• Knowledge of irrigation, weed management and pest control.
• Strong commitment to safe work practices and WHS principles.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and improve parks, gardens, streetscapes and public spaces across Wollongong.
• Apply horticultural knowledge to select suitable plant species and contribute to landscape improvements.
• Maintain garden beds, landscaped areas and open spaces.
• Work as part of a collaborative team alongside a Leading Hand, Driver and fellow crew members.
• Carry out hands-on horticultural and landscape maintenance activities.
• Work with Council employees, contractors and occasionally members of the community.
• Help create safe, attractive and welcoming public spaces.
• Share your horticultural knowledge and contribute to a positive team culture.

Skills

Horticultural knowledge

Plant identification

Irrigation

Teamwork

Education

Certificate III in Horticulture

Tools

Garden tools

Job description

Horticulturalist -Landscape Maintenance

Permanent Full-time working a 70-hour 9-day fortnight with a regular rostered day off (RDO).
Work Hours: 6:30am to 2:45pm
Salary from: $82,086.56 up to $90,628.68 per annum plus superannuation
(Salary will be assessed based on skills, experience and qualifications)

At Wollongong City Council, we continuously strive to create an Extraordinary Wollongong for our community. We focus on the delivery of exceptional services, infrastructure and facilities for our community. Our aim is to work toward the community's goals in the Our Wollongong Our Future Community Strategic Plan 2035.

Wollongong is a great place to work, live and play! Together, our responsibility is to create an inclusive community where everyone is welcome, valued and belongs. Our strength is the diversity of our people.

We lead with courage, openness and curiosity and believe our employees are the key to our success. Learn more about us here.

The Opportunity

Do you take pride in creating beautiful, welcoming public spaces and enjoy seeing the impact of your work across a community?

As a Horticulturalist, you will:

• Maintain and improve parks, gardens, streetscapes and public spaces across Wollongong
• Apply horticultural knowledge to select suitable plant species and contribute to landscape improvements
• Maintain garden beds, landscaped areas and open spaces
• Work as part of a collaborative team alongside a Leading Hand, Driver and fellow crew members
• Carry out hands-on horticultural and landscape maintenance activities
• Work with Council employees, contractors and occasionally members of the community
• Help create safe, attractive and welcoming public spaces
• Share your horticultural knowledge and contribute to a positive team culture.

About you

You are an experienced horticultural professional who enjoys hands on work, takes pride in delivering high-quality outcomes and understands the role great public spaces play in a thriving community.

You bring solid experience in parks and garden maintenance and are confident working with a broad range of plants, tools and equipment. You can identify suitable plant species for different environments, apply sound horticultural knowledge and contribute practical solutions to landscape challenges.

You will bring:

• A minimum Certificate III in Horticulture
• Solid experience in parks and garden maintenance with a diverse range of plant material, tools and equipment
• Strong knowledge of horticultural practices, plant identification, irrigation, weed management and pest and disease control
• A strong commitment to safe work practices and Work Health and Safety principles
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively within a team
• A current Class C Drivers Licence
• Physical capability to undertake repetitive manual tasks associated with parks and gardens maintenance
• Willingness to work overtime and weekends dependent on operational requirements.

Most importantly, you'll demonstrate Council's values of Respect, Integrity, OneTeam, Sustainability and Courage through the way you work, support others and contribute to positive outcomes for the community.

Why you'll love working at Wollongong City Council!

• True work-life balance
  We know you work hard, and we make sure that effort is rewarded with real flexibility. Our hybrid work options, flex-time, and rostered days off mean you can maintain balance while delivering great outcomes.
• Great working conditions
  Enjoy a 9-day fortnight with a regular rostered day off (RDO).
• Career growth and recognition
  We are committed to supporting your personal and professional development. Our initiatives include a reward and recognition program, corporate learning opportunities, study assistance, and leadership development programs to help you grow and succeed.
• Generous leave provisions
  Benefit from five weeks of annual leave per year (pro rata) and access long service leave after just five years.
• Health, safety, and wellbeing
  We prioritise a safe workplace for everyone, every day, everywhere. Our wellbeing programs support mental, physical and social wellbeing of our people to be at their best and include an Employee Assistance Program, skin and hearing checks and discounted gym memberships.
• A vibrant social culture
  Join our Social Club for monthly activities, an annual trivia night, and fantastic Christmas events!

Participate and engage in meaningful work, and contribute to our extraordinary community, where together we make a difference.

Applications close 11:59pm Sunday 22 November, 2026.

We invite everyone to apply no matter your identity, you'll be welcome. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people who are culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD), people with disability and veterans.

Wollongong Council adheres to the principles of a child safe organisation and is committed to the care and protection of all children and young people in the community.

Applicants are required to undergo a rigorous employment screening process which will include Reference, Identity and Medical History Checks, and may also include a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check and Working with Children Check. Employment is subject to clearance of all these checks.