Specialist Plant Operator

Gunnedah Shire Council; Gunnedah; On-site; AUD 84,000 - 96,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

9 day fortnight

Retention bonus

12% Super

Job summary

Gunnedah Shire Council is seeking Specialist Plant Operators to join the Works team as Advanced and Versatile Operators. You will operate construction plant and assist in infrastructure projects to maintain public spaces.

Reporting to the Coordinator Construction/Maintenance, you will ensure safe operations, comply with procedures, and support program delivery. Join a rural NSW community and enjoy a 9-day fortnight with excellent benefits.

Qualifications

• Cert 3/4 Civil Construction or equivalent with 5+ years of direct work experience.
• Experience operating GPS guided plant and other construction equipment.
• Strong focus on WHS compliance and safe work practices.

Responsibilities

• Operate and maintain complex plant safely and to procedures.
• Ensure compliance with WHS and regulatory requirements.
• Perform general road maintenance and infrastructure works.
• Supervise staff as directed by Team Leader.
• Complete administrative tasks per Council policies.

Skills

Plant operation

GPS machinery

Safety compliance

Education

Cert 3/4 Civil Construction

Tools

PWZ ticket

HC licence

Job description

Location: Gunnedah, NSW

Contract Type: Full Time, 38 hours per week - 9 day Fortnight

Salary Range: Grade 8-9 ($1300.36 - $1508.02 per week + 12% Super & $8,000 Retention Bonus*)

Application Deadline: 5:00pm, Monday 9 November 2026

Open New Horizons – Your Career, Your Community

At Gunnedah Shire Council, we create opportunities for you to Open New Horizons – in your career, within your community and for your future.

Whether you are starting your career journey, developing new skills, or taking the next step professionally, we provide a supportive environment where you can grow, contribute, and make a meaningful impact.

We are committed to fostering a workplace where employees feel valued, connected and empowered to succeed – but also understand the importance of your personal wellbeing and your life outside of work.

Gunnedah Shire Council is committed to recognising, rewarding, and supporting our people through a range of benefits and opportunities designed to help employees open new horizons in their career, community, and lifestyle.

Are you skilled in plant operations? Do you have experience with GPS guided machinery?

Gunnedah Shire Council is seeking a number of Specialist Plant Operators to join our Works team as Advanced and Versatile Operators.

• Looking for a tree change? Enjoy a rural community lifestyle!
• Fantastic opportunity to advance your career in a vibrant local community!
• Receive an attractive salary, 9 day fortnights and enjoy the many perks of work for your local community

Our Next Specialist Plant Operator

Reporting to the Coordinator Construction/Maintenance, you will be responsible for operating various construction and maintenance machinery, assisting in infrastructure projects, and ensuring the upkeep of public facilities and spaces.

• Key Responsibilities for this role include:
• Operate and maintain assigned complex plant effectively, safely and in accordance with standing operating procedures.
• Ensure compliance with Council’s WHS policies and with legislative requirements or regulations.
• Accurately perform general road maintenance operational works required to construct, repair, maintain Council’s infrastructure. This would typically include but not be limited to; the operation of small plant and hand tools, performing traffic control duties and applying basic engineering principles, systems and processes.
• Quality check work and identify and remediate defects.
• Supervise staff where delegated by the Team Leader.
• Work constructively and cooperatively with other members of the department to complete work programs in accordance with agreed timeframes and standards.
• Apply WHS and risk management systems in accordance with Council’s policies and procedures.
• Complete assigned administrative tasks accurately in accordance with Council’s policies and procedures.
• Maintain required qualifications essential for the position and undertake agreed training to meet the positions desired skill level.
• Participate in on-call duties as required.

What You’ll Bring To The Team

To be eligible for an Advanced or Versatile Operator role you will need at minimum a Cert 3/Cert 4 qualification in Civil Construction, or willingness to undertake with 5+ years of direct work experience.

Other Key Requirements For The Positions Are As Follows

Advanced Operators:

- Cert 4 in Civil Construction or a similar field, or willingness to undertake with 5+ years of direct work experience.

• Experience in GPS guided grader operation and other plant.
• HC class driver's licence highly desired
• All essential requirements of a Versatile Operator
• PWZ ticket highly desired

Versatile Operator:

- Cert 3 in Civil Construction or a similar field, or willingness to undertake with 5+ years of direct work experience.

• Highly competent in operating 3 or more of the following items of plant – Grader, Excavator, HR/MR/HC Truck, Backhoe, Jet Patcher, Dozer, Stabiliser/Mixer, Loader.
• HC class driver's licence highly desired
• PWZ ticket highly desired

No candidate will meet every single desired qualification or skill. If your experience looks a little different from what we have identified and you think you can bring value to the role, we would love to learn more about you!

Why Join Gunnedah Shire Council?

Working at Gunnedah Shire Council offers a range of benefits, some of which include:

• Accrue a Rostered Day Off (RDO) every 2 weeks, helping you manage the work-life balance
• Eligible staff can receive up to $8,000/ year through our new Attraction and Retention Bonus ($2,000 quarterly payments to support your ongoing commitment to GSC)
• Access to MyLeave - An additional 5 days of leave each year to support a healthy and flexible work-life balance.
• Work only 38 hours per week! With optional OT
• Long Service Leave after 5 years!
• Access to 2 Health and Wellbeing days annually, allowing you to get to those important appointments
• Receive annual award salary increases with potential for further increases during performance appraisal cycles
• Salary packaging and salary sacrificing options available - Salary Packaging Australia
• Supportive and dynamic work environment.
• Professional development and career growth opportunities.
• 4 weeks annual leave
• Opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the community.
• Access to employee wellbeing programs
• Active social club

For further information regarding this role please contact Peter Smith, Manager Works, on 02 6740 2100 or see the Position Description's attached above.

Only candidates with current Australian work rights (Australian citizens, permanent residents, NZ citizens with a current passport, valid work visa) will be considered.

Further information

As part of the recruitment process, suitable applicants will be required to complete pre-employment screening which may include relevant background checks, functional capacity assessment and drug and alcohol screening. Our recruitment process is primarily via system generated emails. Please ensure your email is correct before submitting your application to avoid missing crucial updates and outcomes.

Email notifications may include application confirmation, interview invitations, request for references, and application outcomes. Please check your email regularly, including your junk email.

Council is an equal opportunity employer is committed to a merit-based workforce that encompasses inclusiveness and diversity in an environment of mutual respect. We invite, encourage, welcome and value candidate of all ages and from all backgrounds.

For all enquiries regarding the application and recruitment process, please contact the People and Culture team on 02 6740 2100 or [e-mail].

For essential workers and their families moving to Gunnedah, The Welcome Experience is a free program aimed at providing free personalised support for a range of services such as housing, education, partner job opportunities, and community connection. To learn more and register for the program please click here: The Welcome Experience | NSW Government.