Head Gardener

Green by Nature; Rotorua; Hybrid; NZD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Wellness benefit

Work phone (personal use)

Guaranteed hours

Career progression opportunities

Job summary

Green by Nature in Rotorua, NZ, is seeking a Head Gardener to lead daily grounds maintenance for retirement village projects. You will plan rotations, supervise staff, and ensure gardens meet client specifications while sourcing plants and materials and following garden plans.

Ideal candidates have a Level 4 Horticulture cert, GrowSafe certification, and at least 3 years in a similar role. A full driver's licence is required to support site operations.

Qualifications

• Level 4 National Certificate in Horticulture or equivalent.
• GrowSafe certification is preferred.
• Minimum 3 years in a similar head/garden role.
• Valid manual driving licence is required.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily grounds maintenance across lawns, gardens, and communal spaces.
• Plan rotations, direct staff, weed control, pruning, planting and lawn renovations.
• Source plants and materials and follow garden plans to meet client specs.
• Manage day-to-day operations of designated sites and liaise with management.
• Communicate with Operations/Team Manager and clients; report issues promptly.
• Prioritise safety, compliance and quality in all garden activities.

Skills

Horticulture knowledge

Team leadership

Gardening plan execution

Plant knowledge

Education

Horticulture Level 4

GrowSafe cert

Tools

Manual driving license

Job description

At Green by Nature, we're more than just a greenspace maintenance team; we're passionate about keeping Rotorua and its surrounding areas clean, green and thriving. We take pride in maintaining the regions parks, playgrounds, gardens, infrastructure, and public spaces. To support our mission, we're seekinga Head Gardener.

About The Role:

As a proud member of our Rotorua Horticulture Team, you’ll play an important part within the team.

Working within our Retirement Village projects this role reports to the Team Manager and works closely with your crew.

Your daily tasks will include:

• Lead daily grounds maintenance, ensuring lawns, gardens, hedges, and communal outdoor areas are maintained to a high standard.
• Planning garden rotations, directing and supporting staff, weed control, pruning, planting, fertilising, mowing, and assisting with lawn renovations.
• Creating and maintaining gardens to meet client specifications, including sourcing plants and materials, following garden plans, and planting according to best practices.
• Managing the day-to-day operations of designated sites
• Communicating regularly with the Operations/Team Manager and/or client, promptly addressing and reporting any garden or planting issues
• Prioritising safety, compliance, and quality in all garden-related activities.

About You:

Our ideal candidate will have a Level 4 National Certificate in Horticulture, a GrowSafe certification, and at least 3 years of experience in a similar role.

Other experience and skills we seek include:

• A full driver’s licence with the ability to drive a manual vehicle
• Extensive knowledge of plant species and their maintenance requirements
• Level 4 National Certificate in Horticulture and ideally a current GrowSafe certification
• Ability to accurately follow and implement gardening plans
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate with members of the public and our client if required
• A proactive attitude with a dedication to delivering top-quality results in every task

Here's what we can offer you:

Along with working within a company that has been an industry leader for more than 30 years, you will receive:

• A performance-based salary that is reviewed annually
• Guaranteed hours with the ability to increase based on operational demands
• Annual $300 wellness benefit (after qualifying period) and a work phonepermitted for personal use
• The opportunity to work in a role that gives back to the community
• Internal and external learning and development opportunities with the ability toprogress your career

Green by Nature is a business which specialises in Sports Turf Management and have diversified into a professional Full Facility Parks Maintenance company, operating across New Zealand and Australia.

We have over 2000+ employees and are committed to a culture of health and safety, excellence, and continuous improvement, whilst caring for our people, clients, and communities.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a passionate and enthusiastic team, so if your skills and experience match, then we want to hear from you.

In accordance with the Company's Drug & Alcohol Policy, the successful candidate will be required to undergo and pass a pre-employment drug test.