gardener - south east local council

• Location: Knoxfield

• Hourly Rate: $37.84 per hour + Super

• Job Type: 3 Months Contract

• Hours: Full-Time, Monday to Friday (07:00 to 15:30) 9-day fortnight

About the Opportunity

Are you a gardener looking for a stable, high-paying role within local government operations? We are currently seeking a motivated, qualified Parks & Gardens Maintenance Specialist to support major council.

Operating out of the council depot, you will join a dedicated civil crew ensuring that public parks, sporting reserves, and council facilities are kept in pristine condition. This contract is initially locked in for a 3 month block starting early August 2026, offering excellent hours and highly competitive local government rates.

Key Responsibilities

Working under the direction of a Crew Leader, your day-to-day duties will include:

• Horticultural Upkeep: Executing contemporary horticultural maintenance across garden beds, including planting, mulching, pruning, and detailed weeding.

• Turf & Open Space Care: Operating commercial ride-on mowers, line trimmers, and light mechanical plant to maintain expansive turf areas and reserves.

• Chemical Application: Safe setup and application of pesticides/herbicides as part of scheduled weed control programs.

• Asset & Site Protection: Conducting daily pre-start safety inspections and minor field maintenance on plant, equipment, and trailers. Ensuring sites are cleared of litter and hazards prior to commencing works.

• Team & Mentorship: Working collaboratively within a small crew, occasionally providing casual trade guidance or on-the-job support to apprentices and trainees.

What You Need to Succeed

We are looking for an experienced outdoor professional who can hit the ground running with minimal supervision.

Required Qualifications & Tickets:

• Agricultural Chemical User Permit

• Licence: Current Victorian Driver’s Licence (Medium Rigid licence highly desirable).

• Traffic Control and Traffic Management

Skills & Experience:

• Demonstrated hands-on background in commercial landscape maintenance or municipal parks operations.

• Competence in utilizing power tools, precision light mechanical plant, and commercial mowers.

• Physical fitness to undertake manual handling, lifting, and bending across outdoor and uneven roadside terrain.

• Strong team focus with a polite, courteous manner when interacting with members of the general public.

Why Apply Through Us?

• Top-Tier Pay: Excellent $37.84/hr base rate with consistent, reliable weekly pay.

• Work-Life Balance: Reliable 38-hour week with a steady work, with a 9 day fortnight structure

• Foot in the Door: Gain valuable public sector experience, opening up immediate paths into long-term or permanent council crew positions across Melbourne.

How to Apply

If you tick most of the boxes and are ready to drop onto an active crew, click APPLY NOW to submit your updated resume. For a confidential discussion regarding this or similar municipal infrastructure opportunities, reach out to our Public Sector team today.

For any further questions reach out to sen.abey@randstad.com.au or call 0400 631 711

At Randstad, we are passionate about providing equal employment opportunities and embracing diversity to the benefit of all. We actively encourage applications from any background.