Officer – Grounds & Maintenance (Far North & Gulf)

Football Queensland; Cairns Regional; On-site; AUD 60,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Football Queensland is seeking a practical Officer - Grounds & Maintenance to join the Far North & Gulf team in Cairns. This hands-on role maintains high-quality pitches and facilities, plans routine turf tasks and ensures safe, well-presented grounds for training, matches and events.

Working largely independently under the Region Manager, you will oversee mowing, irrigation, fertilisation, line marking and minor repairs, keeping grounds ready year-round.

Qualifications

• Hands-on maintenance experience in grounds, turf or horticulture.
• Knowledge of turf management including mowing, irrigation, fertilisation and aeration.
• Understanding of sports field preparation and maintenance.
• Experience operating grounds equipment and machinery.
• Knowledge of WHS requirements and safe chemical handling practices.
• Basic knowledge of irrigation and general facility maintenance.
• Strong organisation and time-management skills with ability to work independently.
• Problem-solving mindset and ability to respond to changing weather and field conditions.
• Attention to detail and pride in presentation standards.
• Strong communication and a proactive, team-focused approach.
• Flexibility to work outside standard hours, including some evenings and weekends.
• A valid Working with Children Check (Blue Card) before starting.

Responsibilities

• Maintain high-quality, safe football pitches and surrounding facilities.
• Plan and undertake routine turf and grounds maintenance incl. mowing, line marking, irrigation, aeration, fertilisation and edge trimming.
• Set up, monitor and manage irrigation systems and watering schedules.
• Monitor turf and field conditions and manage maintenance requirements and field usage.
• Prepare facilities for training, matches, programs and events.
• Maintain grounds equipment and machinery, stock and undertake minor repairs.
• Ensure machinery and chemicals are operated and stored safely per WHS guidelines.
• Collaborate with regional staff, contractors and suppliers to maintain standards.
• Assist with broader facility and operational needs across the region.

Skills

Hands-on

Reliability

Time management

Proactive mindset

Strong communication

Team oriented

Flexibility

Education

Certificate in Horticulture

Job description

About Football Queensland

Football Queensland (FQ) is the governing body for football in Queensland and is responsible for the development, promotion and administration of the game across the state.

As part of our commitment to providing high-quality facilities and playing environments for the football community, we are seeking a practical and motivated Officer - Grounds & Maintenance to join our Far North & Gulf team based in Cairns.

This is an opportunity to make a visible contribution to football in the region, ensuring our grounds and facilities are safe, well-resented and maintained to a high standard for the players, clubs and communities who use them.

About the Role

Football Queensland is seeking a practical and self-motivated Officer - Grounds & Maintenance to join our Far North & Gulf team in Cairns.

This hands-on role is responsible for maintaining high-quality playing surfaces and facilities that support football participation across the region. Working largely independently under the direction of the Region Manager, you will take ownership of the day-to-day maintenance and presentation of our grounds, ensuring pitches are safe, consistent and maintained to a high standard throughout the year.

From mowing, irrigation and fertilisation through to line marking, field preparation and minor facility maintenance, you will play an important role in ensuring our facilities are ready for training, competitions, programs and events.

This is an ideal opportunity for someone who takes pride in their work, enjoys working outdoors and can proactively plan and manage their workload to deliver quality results.

What You’ll Do

In this role, you will:

• Maintain and prepare high-quality, safe and well-resented football pitches and surrounding facilities.
• Plan and undertake routine turf and grounds maintenance, including mowing, line marking, irrigation, aeration, fertilisation and edge trimming.
• Set up, monitor and manage irrigation systems and watering schedules to support healthy playing surfaces.
• Monitor turf and field conditions and proactively manage maintenance requirements and field usage.
• Prepare facilities for training, matches, competitions, programs and events.
• Maintain grounds equipment and machinery, manage maintenance stock and undertake minor repairs as required.
• Ensure machinery, equipment and chemicals are operated, stored and handled safely and in accordance with WHS requirements.
• Work with regional staff, contractors and suppliers to maintain consistent facility standards.
• Assist with broader facility and operational requirements across the region as needed.

What You’ll Bring

We're looking for someone who is hands-on, reliable and takes genuine pride in maintaining quality grounds and facilities.

• To succeed in this role, you will ideally bring:
• Previous experience in grounds, turf, horticulture or a similar maintenance role.
• Practical knowledge of turf management, including mowing, irrigation, fertilisation and aeration.
• An understanding of sports field preparation and maintenance.
• Experience operating and maintaining grounds equipment and machinery.
• Knowledge of WHS requirements and safe chemical handling practices.
• Basic knowledge of irrigation and general facility maintenance.
• Strong organisation and time-management skills, with the ability to work independently and prioritise competing requirements.
• A practical approach to problem-solving and the ability to respond to changing weather, field and operational conditions.
• High attention to detail and pride in presentation standards.
• Strong communication skills and a proactive, team-focused approach.
• Flexibility to work outside standard business hours when operationally required, including some evenings and weekends.
• A valid Working with Children Check (Blue Card), prior to commencing in the role.

It would be advantageous if you also have:

• A Certificate in Horticulture or other relevant qualification.
• Experience managing sports turf, grounds and/or facilities.
• Basic carpentry, plumbing or mechanical maintenance skills.

Why Join Football Queensland?

This is an opportunity to combine practical grounds and maintenance experience with a role that directly contributes to football in the Far North & Gulf region.

You will have the opportunity to take ownership of the quality and presentation of our Cairns grounds and facilities and see the direct impact of your work as they come to life for training, matches, competitions and events.

You'll also be part of the broader Football Queensland team, working alongside people who are passionate about creating positive football experiences for participants, clubs and communities across Queensland.

Applications close at 11:59PM on Sunday 11 October.