Supervisor Open Space

South Gippsland Shire Council; Leongatha; On-site; AUD 81,000 - 98,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Work-life balance

Ongoing training and development

Diversity, equity & inclusion

Health & wellbeing programs

Career paths and mentorship

Job summary

South Gippsland Shire Council is seeking an experienced Open Space Leader to supervise staff and manage a wide range of horticultural services across parks, reserves and townships. The role involves planning and delivering open space construction, programmed and reactive maintenance works to a high standard.

You will be based at the Leongatha Depot with occasional work from Foster Depot and regular travel throughout South Gippsland.

Qualifications

• Experience in horticulture, parks and gardens and leading crews.
• Ability to manage teams and support continuous improvement.
• Excellent customer service and strong communication.
• Experience programming works and organising teams, contractors and materials.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and supervision of staff in Open Space and Environment.
• Plan, organise and implement open space construction and maintenance works.
• Deliver horticultural services across parks, reserves and townships.
• Based at Leongatha Depot with travel to Foster Depot and other sites.

Skills

Horticulture experience

Parks & gardens

Team leadership

Customer service

Communication skills

Work programming

Education

Certificate 3 in Horticulture/Arboriculture/Turf/Landscape construction

Worksite Traffic Management Certificate

Construction Industry White Card

Job description

About Us

South Gippsland offers welcoming townships, friendly communities and colourful landscapes. You can enjoy green rolling hills, wind-swept beaches and the world-famous Wilsons Prom, right on your doorstep. South Gippslanders enjoy the beauty and freedom of country living with easy access to Melbourne.

About Us

South Gippsland offers welcoming townships, friendly communities and colourful landscapes. You can enjoy green rolling hills, wind-swept beaches and the world-famous Wilsons Prom, right on your doorstep. South Gippslanders enjoy the beauty and freedom of country living with easy access to Melbourne.

As an organisation we pride ourselves on sustaining a close-knit workplace with values based leadership. Our residents and our internal customers expect their services to be delivered efficiently and with minimal fuss. We aim to meet and exceed these expectations.

We seek like-minded colleagues to join our team who are committed to developing a culture of Accountability, Customer Focus and Excellence.

About The Role

• Fixed Term Full Time contract from November 2026- November 2027


• Salary: $80,694.64 + Industry Allowance


• Works from Leongatha and Foster Depots

Are you an experienced leader who has an interest and background in parks, gardens and open spaces? This role will provide leadership and supervision of staff in the Open Space and Environment team. You will play a key part in planning, organising and implementing a wide range of Open Space construction, programmed and reactive maintenance works to deliver a high standard of horticultural services across Council’s parks, reserves and townships.

You will be based at our Leongatha Depot, however there will be flexibility to occasionally work from our Foster Depot and main office, and will require regular travel throughout South Gippsland.

About You

• Experience in horticulture, parks and gardens, and leading operational crews


• Certificate 3 in Horticulture/Arboriculture/Turf/ Landscape construction


• The ability to manage teams, support continuous improvement and work as a part of a team


• Excellent customer service and good communication skills


• Experience programming works and organising teams, contractors and materials to support smooth service delivery

You Will Also Have

• Current Worksite Traffic Management Certificate


• Construction Industry White Card


• Current Victorian driver’s license and truck license


• Chemical User’s certificate


• Plant operating experience including chainsaw and hand tools


• Capable of carrying out manual labouring skills when required


• First Aid Certificate (desirable)

Why you’ll love working with us!

• Work-life balance with flexible working arrangements


• Rostered Days Off offered for full time roles


• Ongoing training and professional development opportunities


• South Gippsland is an organisation that is committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. We offer flexibility and a welcoming work environment


• Enjoy a variety of changing health and well-being programs and initiatives including flu vaccinations and health checks, discounted gym memberships and Social Club


• Diverse range of exciting career paths in full time, part time or casual positions


• Mentoring, coaching and secondments


• Access to 24/7 Employee Assistance Program


• Opportunity to purchase additional leave


• Annual Enterprise Agreement salary increments

Position Description

Closing Date

Applications close 11.59 PM Monday 28 September 2026.

Contact

Enquiries to: Rienna Patterson - Acting Coordinator Parks & Gardens 0447 476 173

Next Steps

South Gippsland Shire Council is an Equal Opportunity employer and aims to provide all necessary support to ensure that all abilities and backgrounds are not disadvantaged in the recruitment process. If you require an adjustment to the recruitment process, please feel free to identify yourself as a person with different needs in your application and indicate what type of reasonable adjustment you require. Alternatively you can contact a member of the People & Culture team on 03 5662 9233 and identify the position you are applying for and specify your requirements.

All councillors, employees, students, agency staff, contractors and volunteers are required to act in accordance with equal opportunity, anti-discrimination, harassment, vilification and child safety legislation. South Gippsland Shire Council is committed to safeguarding children and young people. We all have a responsibility to ensure our workplaces are respectful, safe and inclusive and free of all forms of unlawful and unacceptable behaviours. By applying for this role you agree to the above.

All preferred candidates will be required to complete relevant background checks (including but not limited to police checks, reference checks, medical checks (drug and alcohol tests) and psychometric testing) prior to the candidate's employment being confirmed. The outcomes of the background checks do not automatically bar candidates; however, will be assessed against the inherent requirements of the job.

All correspondence regarding your application status and interview will be sent to you via email.