Assistant Gardener (Heavy Rigid Driving)

Job Title: Assistant Gardener - Parks and Gardens

About the Role

We are seeking a motivated and reliable Assistant Gardener to join our Parks and Gardens team. In this role, you will assist with the maintenance and improvement of parks, gardens, streetscapes and recreational spaces across the municipality. You will work collaboratively with the Parks and Gardens team to deliver high-quality horticultural services while ensuring all work is undertaken safely and in accordance with Council standards and work plans.

This is a hands-on role suited to someone who enjoys working outdoors, takes pride in maintaining public spaces and is committed to safety and teamwork.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist with parks and garden maintenance including watering, pruning, weeding, sweeping, mulching, fertilising, mowing, spraying and planting.

• Operate Council plant and equipment including ride-on mowers, trucks, cutting tools, tractors, implements and elevated work platforms.

• Support tree maintenance activities including planting and general arboricultural tasks.

• Assist with planting programs across the municipality including estimating and ordering plants, trees and shrubs.

• Ensure weed control activities comply with Council standards, health and safety regulations and chemical manufacturer instructions.

• Maintain irrigation systems, playgrounds and recreational equipment where required.

• Implement and assist with traffic management plans during works.

• Complete daily plant check sheets, defect reports and undertake routine maintenance of vehicles, equipment and tools.

• Respond to customer requests through Council's customer request system within required timeframes.

• Provide friendly and efficient service to internal and external customers.

• Contribute to reports, databases, performance indicators and administrative tasks where required.

About You

You will be a physically fit and reliable individual who enjoys working outdoors and can contribute positively within a team environment.

Essential Requirements

• Heavy Rigid Victorian Driver's Licence

• Experience in horticultural or parks maintenance

• Knowledge and experience operating horticultural plant and equipment

• Experience implementing or working with traffic management plans

• Demonstrated knowledge of safe manual handling practices

• Knowledge of herbicide use and safe chemical handling

• Ability to work effectively as part of a team

• Good written and verbal communication skills

• Strong customer service skills

• Ability to plan and prioritise tasks to meet work plans and customer requests

• Physically capable of undertaking manual outdoor work

Safety and Organisational Responsibilities

All employees must comply with the Victorian Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004, Council's health and safety policies, and risk management practices. Staff are required to maintain a safe working environment and report hazards, incidents or equipment issues promptly.

Employees are also expected to uphold Council's commitment to:

• Equal opportunity

• Respectful workplaces free from harassment and bullying

• Professional conduct and positive community engagement

Pre-Employment Requirements

The successful applicant will be required to complete:

• Pre-employment medical assessment

• Police check

Why Join Us?

• Work outdoors in a supportive team environment

• Contribute to maintaining beautiful parks and community spaces

• Opportunities to develop horticultural and operational skills

• Be part of a council committed to safety, community service and professional standards

At HOBAN we encourage applications from people with disability, people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, people of all genders, LGBTI people, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

We provide reasonable adjustments; including alternate formats to the recruitment process for individuals with disability. If you require an adjustment to be made during the recruitment process, please email our Adjustments Coordinator at adjustments@hoban.com.au or visit hoban.com.au/adjustments for additional contact details.