Manager Parks and Open Spaces

Banana Shire Council; Banana Shire; Remote; AUD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Banana Shire Council seeks an experienced leader to direct the Parks and Open Spaces Department. You will shape strategic plans, manage workforce development, and oversee budgets and capital works to deliver high-quality parks, gardens, facilities and recreational infrastructure for the community.

You will lead a team, drive continuous improvement, ensure safety compliance and foster strong stakeholder relationships with community groups and authorities.

Qualifications

• Degree or Diploma in a relevant discipline with substantial experience.
• Queensland C Class Driver Licence.
• Queensland General Safety Induction White Card.
• Leadership or Management qualification (Desirable).
• Project Management qualification (Desirable).
• Workplace Health and Safety qualification (Desirable).
• Experience in Local Government service delivery and asset management (Desirable).

Responsibilities

• Provide accountable leadership of the Parks and Open Spaces section and drive high performance.
• Develop and mentor supervisors and employees to build capability and succession.
• Develop and implement strategic and workforce plans aligned with Council objectives.
• Manage operational maintenance, service programs and capital works activities.
• Prepare and manage operational and capital budgets and provide financial reporting.
• Coordinate planning and delivery of capital projects within scope, budget and timeframes.
• Ensure optimal allocation of resources including staff, plant and contractors.
• Promote WHS, risk management and environmental sustainability across operations.
• Maintain quality management systems and continuous improvement processes.
• Liaise with staff, community groups, contractors and authorities as required.
• Undertake recruitment, induction and performance development processes.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Strategic planning

Budgeting & reporting

Stakeholder engagement

Project management

Change management

Communication

HSE awareness

Education

Degree or Diploma in a relevant discipline

Queensland C Class Driver Licence

White Card – General Safety Induction

Leadership/Management qualification

Project Management qualification

Workplace Health and Safety qualification

LG Local Government service delivery/asset management experience

Job description

The Opportunity

To provide leadership, development, strategic and operational direction to the Parks and Open Spaces Department to enable it to effectively and efficiently deliver high quality parks, gardens, sporting facilities, open space, streetscape, irrigation and recreational infrastructure services to the community. The role is responsible for leading and developing the department's workforce while ensuring the safe, efficient and financially sustainable delivery of operational and capital works programs. It also provides strategic planning, resource and budget management, compliance oversight and continuous improvement to support Council's objectives.

About Us

Banana Shire is situated in Central Queensland, Australia located 120 km west of the growing industrial city and port of Gladstone - and an easy drive to the city of Rockhampton.

Our population is approximately 15,000 people spread over 28,577 square kilometres. Major industries in the area include Coal Mining, Power Generation, Beef Production, dryland cropping and irrigation such as Lucerne and Cotton.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide accountable leadership of the Parks and Open Spaces section, ensuring a positive workplace culture, high performance, customer-focused service delivery and achievement of departmental objectives
• Lead, mentor and develop supervisors and employees to build capability, support succession planning and maintain a sustainable workforce
• Develop and implement strategic plans, workforce plans, business improvement initiatives and service delivery strategies aligned with Council's Corporate Plan and Operational Plan
• Manage the efficient and effective delivery of operational maintenance, service programs and capital works activities
• Prepare and manage operational and capital budgets, monitor financial performance and provide financial reporting and recommendations
• Assist in the development of Operational Plans and Capital Works Programs relating to parks, open spaces, sporting facilities, irrigation infrastructure and recreational assets
• Coordinate the planning, programming and delivery of operational works and capital projects to ensure outcomes are achieved within approved scope, budget and timeframes
• Ensure the effective allocation and utilisation of departmental resources, including employees, plant, equipment and contractors
• Monitor operational performance and implement continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency and service delivery outcomes
• Coordinate and manage community agreements, lease arrangements, maintenance agreements and partnerships relevant to Parks and Open Spaces
• Prepare reports and provide professional advice to Council, Executive Management and the Director Infrastructure Services on departmental matters
• Ensure compliance with relevant legislation, policies, standards, licences, agreements and regulatory requirements.
• Lead and promote workplace health and safety, risk management and environmental sustainability across departmental operations
• Maintain quality management systems and standards to support effective and continuous service improvement
• Participate in recruitment, induction, training and performance development processes for departmental employees
• Contribute to the promotion of the image of Council and the maximisation of positive community relations
• Liaise with Council staff, community groups, sporting organisations, contractors, consultants, utility providers and government authorities in the performance of duties
• Undertake routine administrative tasks as required by the position
• Assist senior staff to continuously improve work processes and develop new practices as required
• Participate in training, exercises and response to disaster management and recovery activities as required
• Undertake other relevant duties as directed, consistent with skills, competence and training.

QUALIFICATIONS, EDUCATION AND LICENCE REQUIREMENTS

Compulsory

• Degree or Diploma in a relevant discipline (such as Horticulture, Environmental Management, Recreation Management, Business), together with substantial relevant experience
• Queensland "C" Class Driver Licence
• Queensland General Safety Induction White Card.

Desirable

• Leadership or Management qualification
• Project Management qualification
• Qualification in Workplace Health and Safety
• Experience in Local Government service delivery and asset management.

ABILITIES, SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED

Compulsory

• Demonstrated leadership and people management experience, including developing teams, managing performance and leading change
• Demonstrated experience managing operational service delivery, maintenance programs and capital works projects
• Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, workforce planning, resource management and organisational development
• Demonstrated experience in the preparation, management and reporting of operational and capital budgets
• Sound knowledge of project management, operational planning, scheduling and resource allocation
• Well-developed communication and stakeholder engagement skills, supported by a sound understanding of Workplace Health and Safety, compliance and continuous improvement principles.

Applications close: 14 October 2026