Senior Farm Hand Operator - Arcturus Downs

Meldora Land Management Pty Ltd; Emerald; On-site; AUD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Training and development

Long-term outlook

Job summary

Meldora Land Management Pty Ltd is seeking a Senior Farm Hand Operator at Arcturus Downs, near Springsure, QLD. The role covers operation and maintenance of irrigation and cropping systems, and supervision of junior staff in a large-scale enterprise.

The successful candidate will bring practical experience in cropping or livestock operations, strong mechanical aptitude, and a willingness to contribute to safety, compliance and environmental planting programs.

Qualifications

• Experience in irrigated cropping.
• Experience in dryland cropping.
• Livestock operations knowledge.
• Ability to lead and mentor team members.

Responsibilities

• Operate and maintain modern farm machinery for cropping and irrigation.
• Maintain machinery, irrigation infrastructure and records.
• Keep accurate records for cropping, irrigation, chemicals and machinery.
• Assist environmental planting programs and seasonal activities.
• Mentor and support General Farm Hands/Operators.
• Support livestock welfare checks and water infrastructure.

Skills

Irrigated cropping

Dryland cropping

Livestock operations

Tractor/large machinery

Job description

Senior Farm Hand Operator - Arcturus Downs

Meldora Land Management Pty Ltd - Emerald QLD

Senior Farm Hand - Arcturus Downs (Springsure Region, QLD)

Location: Arcturus Downs Aggregation (near Springsure, QLD)

Employment Type: Full-time

We are seeking a motivated and skilled Senior Farm Hand to join our team at Arcturus Downs, located in the Springsure/Emerald region of Central Queensland.

The Senior Farm Hand supports the day-to-day operations of our large-scale mixed farming enterprise 'Arcturus Downs'. To be successful in this role you might be a skilled operator in your chosen specialty of dryland or irrigated cropping, or maybe you're an all-rounder looking for the next step in your career on the path to a more senior role.

Whether your strengths lie in, cropping, Irrigation, livestock operations, or a combination of these, we want to hear from you.

About Meldora Land Management

Meldora Land Management, an operating platform of Gunn Agri Partners, operates large-scale mixed farming enterprises across priority ecological regions in Eastern Australia. We integrate regenerative cropping and livestock production with ecological restoration to deliver productive, resilient, and sustainable farming systems.

Our platform embeds biodiversity outcomes directly into farming operations, including the delivery of high-integrity environmental plantings projects that support long-term land regeneration and climate-positive outcomes.

Join us and be part of a team where innovation, sustainability, and hands-on results go hand in hand.

The property is located in a picturesque region near Springsure, QLD, offering true seasonal variation, great dams and creeks for fishing, and a lifestyle with access to nearby schools, amenities and country living. You'll be working in a professional, well-resourced environment that values teamwork, safety, and practical problem-solving.

About the Role

The Senior Farm Hand Operator plays a key role in delivering safe, efficient, and well-planned farming operations. The position involves operating and maintaining a wide range of agricultural machinery, supporting cropping programs, monitoring livestock and infrastructure, and ensuring accurate record keeping across machinery, chemicals, irrigation, and inventory.

You will also assist with supervising and mentoring General Farm Hand Operators, supporting operational standards, safety, and compliance across daily activities.

This is a great opportunity to work within a professional, collaborative team where safety, innovation, operational excellence, and sustainable land management are at the heart of what we do.

In this role you will do a number of exciting things including:

• Operation and maintenance of our modern machinery across irrigated and dryland cropping programs, including planting, spraying, irrigation and harvest
• Carrying out general farm, machinery and irrigation infrastructure maintenance
• Use programs and systems to maintain accurate records for cropping, irrigation, chemicals, and machinery
• Assist with environmental planting programs and seasonal operational activities
• Mentor and support General Farm Hand / Operators
• Support of livestock operations including cattle handling, welfare monitoring, and water infrastructure checks
• Contribute to continuous improvement, safety, and compliance across farm operations

What You'll Bring

• Practical experience in irrigated cropping, dryland cropping and/or livestock operations
• Confidence operating tractors and large-scale machinery (seeders, sprayers, harvesters)
• Strong mechanical aptitude and eagerness to grow skills across irrigation, cropping and livestock
• The ability to lead daily tasks and support others at senior levels
• Clear communication and problem-solving skills
• You will hold a valid driver's Licence, a ChemCert and HR licence is desirable

Why Meldora?

We're proud to offer a workplace that supports your growth and sets you up for success, with:

• Competitive pay matched to your experience and capability
• Training and development to support your progression
• A stable, well-resourced agricultural business with a long-term outlook
• A team culture built on integrity, accountability and respect