Qualified Gardener

Council Jobs; Geelong; On-site; AUD 69,000 - 71,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Geelong is seeking a skilled Parks Maintenance Officer to manage open and outdoor spaces including community parks, reserve assets, streetscapes, and recreational areas in Geelong. The role emphasizes sustainable management with a focus on safety and community engagement.

Successful candidates will hold a Certificate III in Horticulture or Parks and Gardens, demonstrate extensive parks maintenance experience, and be capable of operating park equipment.

Qualifications

• Certificate III in Horticulture / Parks & Gardens or similar preferred.
• Extensive experience in horticultural maintenance in parks.
• Experience operating Park maintenance plant and equipment.

Responsibilities

• Follow directions from Team Leader and senior staff per operations requirements.
• Undertake tasks including site preparation, planting, maintenance, liaising with community groups and the public.
• Operate and maintain plant and equipment (sprayers, mowers, tractors) safely and efficiently.
• Comply with Council health and safety policies and procedures.
• Contribute to customer-focused service and commercially driven operation.
• Record maintenance works time sheets and plant sheets in the Council Management Maintenance system.

Skills

Parks maintenance experience

Plant knowledge

Site operations

Public liaison

Education

Certificate III in Horticulture / Parks & Gardens

Tools

Medium truck licence

Job description

Job no: 500900
Work type: Permanent Full Time
Classification: Band 3 - $70,838.95 pa plus super
Categories: Parks & Natural Assets

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 $68,630 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.

• 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. (desirable however not essential)
• 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 ourChild 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.

Enquiries: Steve Vincent | Parks Operational Leader | ********@geelongcity.vic.gov.au

If we can assist you with any reasonable adjustments in order to submit your application for this role, please contact the Talent Acquisition team via email at *******@geelongcity.vic.gov.au noting your preferred method of communication and contact details and a member of the team will be in touch.

We collect demographic data to help us learn who our advertisements are reaching and how we can reach an even more diverse audience. We are committed to building a more diverse team. Your responses to our demographic questions are strictly confidential and will not be individually shared.