Tradesperson - Horticulturalist (Auburn Botanic Gardens)

Cumberland City Council; Sydney; On-site; AUD 61,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangements

Training and professional development

Annual leave and personal leave

Long service leave

Health insurance discounts

Wellbeing programs

Access to Aquatic Centres

Fitness Passport program

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Cumberland City Council is seeking a Tradesperson - Horticulturist to maintain Auburn Botanic Gardens and other Open Spaces. The role emphasizes safe, high-quality maintenance, addressing plant health, turf care, and customer satisfaction in a community-focused environment.

You will operate small tools and equipment, hold required WH&S qualifications, and may travel between worksites within the Cumberland area. Permanent, full-time with a 70-hour fortnight schedule.

Qualifications

• Trade-based apprenticeship or Certificate III in Parks & Gardens or Horticulture.
• Experience in park maintenance and parks infrastructure.
• Ability to plan, coordinate resources and perform horticultural maintenance and renovation.
• Experience with small plant and equipment operation.
• Excellent verbal and written communication; able to work with public and staff.

Responsibilities

• Maintain Auburn Botanic Gardens to a high standard, safe and attractive for the community.
• Ensure customer and community satisfaction with parks operations.
• Travel across Council worksites and work across multiple locations as required.
• Collaborate with contractors and Council staff to deliver maintenance services.

Skills

Park maintenance planning

Customer service

WH&S knowledge

Communication skills

Computer skills

iPads usage

Education

Trade Based Apprenticeship

Certificate III in Parks and Gardens

Horticulture

Turf Management

Landscape Construction

ChemCert qualification

White Card – Construction Induction

Tools

iPads

Job description

Located 20km west of Sydney on Dharug country, with a population of over 250,000 residents, Cumberland City Council is the fourth most populous Local Government Area in Greater Sydney. Cumberland boasts one of the most diverse communities in Australia, with people from many different backgrounds and cultures living alongside one another. Our people are focused on driving community outcomes, programs and services to innovate, inspire and deliver change for the community we represent and has worked hard to fulfil its community’s vision for Cumberland as a place where anyone can feel welcome , belong and succeed .

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

The City Open Spaces team manages the daily presentation and maintenance of Council’s open spaces, sportsgrounds, playgrounds, passive and public spaces, golf courses, botanical gardens and native vegetation areas within the Cumberland City Area, ensuring that our residents and visitors have access to quality and attractive open spaces of which they can be proud and enjoy. The Tradesperson - Horticulturist will undertake a range of activities that deliver specialist services in the maintenance of Council’s Auburn Botanic Gardens ensuring this open space is in excellent condition, safe and suitable for use by the community. This role will also be responsible in ensuring customer and community satisfaction with Council's parks and recreational operations are met.

Requirements

• Relevant trade qualifications (e.g Trade Based Apprenticeship, Certificate III in Parks and Gardens, Horticulture, Turf Management or Landscape Construction)
• Demonstrated experience in park maintenance and parks infrastructure related issues, current trends, industry best-practice and new developments relating to maintenance services and parks operations
• Demonstrated ability to plan, coordinate resources and undertake best practice horticultural maintenance and renovation activities, including but not limited to plant health and turf care, site maintenance.
• Demonstrated experience in operating parks maintenance related small plant and equipment, including small hand tools, and power tools.
• Demonstrated ability to deal in a positive and courteous manner with the public and other staff at all times
• Sound verbal and written communication skills – ability to write clearly and neatly when completing necessary paperwork
• Ability to work as part of a team and with contractors, having good interpersonal skills
• Sound knowledge and practical application of WH&S principles and the Work Health and Safety legislation
• Hold a current ‘ChemCert’ (Chemical Handling) qualification
• Hold a current General Induction for Construction Work in NSW (white card)
• Sound Computer Skills and ability to adapt to new systems and operate a range of devices including iPads
• Hold a current Class C drivers Licence (MR licence highly desirable)

About this role

• Permanent, full-time position
• 70 hour fortnight
• Access to Council's 9 day fortnight Rostered Day Off (RDO) arrangement
• Located at Council's Auburn Botanic Gardens, with occasional travel required across Council worksites, and may be required to work across any of Council’s work locations

Salary information

• The salary and conditions of employment are in accordance with the NSW Local Government (State) Award.
• Grade 7 of the Cumberland Salary Structure with a salary range of $1,347.06 to $1,650.15 per week, plus 12% superannuation
• The commencing salary will be negotiated, taking into consideration the successful applicant's qualifications, skills and experience related to the role

What you’ll need to have for this role

• The right to live and work in Australia
• Be able to provide information for pre-employment checks required for the position, including attending a physical pre-employment medical examination as required
• Participate in health monitoring as outlined in the risk assessment for this position and Council’s Health Monitoring Procedure, as required.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER

• We promote work-life balance and offer flexible working arrangements including working from home opportunities or up to an additional five (5) days' leave for front-facing roles that are unable to access working from home arrangements
• Training and professional development opportunities available to develop skills and grow your career
• Leave entitlements including annual leave, 10 days personal leave and up to five (5) days of MyLeave per year, parental leave entitlements and access to Long Service Leave after five (5) years (where applicable)
• Three (3) additional grant days of paid leave over Christmas (where applicable)
• Corporate Health Insurance discounts
• Health and Wellbeing Programs to support our staff by providing access to online professional learning, paid leave to undertake annual skin checks, COVID-19 vaccinations and to donate blood
• Subsidies to assist with the cost of wellness and fitness activities
• Free access to Council owned and managed Aquatic Centres
• Access to Council's Fitness Passport Program and Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

ABOUT US

Council adheres to the principles of a child safe organisation and is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people, and fully supports the aims and objectives of NSW Child Protection Legislation, and associated provisions. Council will implement all necessary measures to ensure a safe and supportive environment, which endeavours to promote child protection practices. It is essential for applicants to submit their WWCC number with their application, if required, and it is an offence under NSW legislation for barred workers to apply for or otherwise attempt to obtain, undertake or remain in child-related employment. Cumberland City Council is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, reflective of the community it represents. Council welcomes and encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, and is committed to providing an accessible and safe workplace for our staff through making reasonable adjustments. If you have any accessibility or support requirements throughout the recruitment process, please contact the hiring manager during the application process.

ENQUIRIES

Contact Bradley Lloyd, Supervisor Open Spaces (Recreational Assets_ on 8757 9582 or [e-mail] for further information.

Closing date: 11:59pm, Wednesday 28 October 2026