Coordinator Open Space, Horticulture and Biodiversity

Overview

- Support the growth of our Open Space Team
- Full time, permanent position with flexible work arrangements
- $124K - $139K per annum (dependent on experience) + superannuation

About the Parks Services Department. Our Parks Services Department is in an exciting phase of regeneration and growth. We are committed to delivering sustainable, high-quality outcomes for our community through strategic planning, commercial decision-making, and the ongoing improvement of our services, systems, and processes.

A key focus for the department is building a strong, engaged workforce that is empowered, connected, and proud of the work they do. We recognise that our people are central to our success, and we are actively investing in initiatives that foster collaboration, support professional development, and strengthen team culture. Increasing staff engagement is a core priority, and we are committed to creating a workplace where every team member feels valued, included, and inspired to contribute.

Our leaders play a vital role in setting the vision, modelling our values, and maintaining a high level of commitment to achieving industry best practice. They are expected to lead with integrity, support innovation, and empower their teams to deliver exceptional results for both the organisation and the Glen Eira community.

About the role

As the Coordinator, you will play a key leadership role in the management and maintenance of Glen Eira’s Open Spaces, including parks and gardens, streetscapes, remnant vegetation, and areas of urban biodiversity. You will be responsible for implementing initiatives that enhance urban biodiversity, elevate horticultural standards, and contribute to a more sustainable and resilient urban environment.

This position sits within the broader Parks leadership team and provides strategic direction, effective leadership, and expert guidance to a multi-disciplinary team. You will actively promote a workplace culture that is safe, inclusive, supportive, and focused on continuous improvement and high-quality service delivery. Ensuring a positive team environment and fostering staff wellbeing will be central to your leadership approach.

In this role, you will also collaborate with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders to deliver community-focused outcomes that support environmental sustainability, amenity, and civic pride across Glen Eira.

Key responsibilities

- Managing the performance and outcomes of Council's in-house Open Space, Horticulture and Biodiversity teams and contractors to deliver Council's parks, gardens and Council properties, horticultural, turf, urban biodiversity and assets maintenance programs in accordance with Council policy, procedures and timelines.
- Contributing to strategic and operational management of the Department, including fostering a climate of organisational cohesion, flexibility, and responsiveness.
- Overseeing quality assessments and auditing of open space maintenance works and projects to ensure compliance.
- Building and maintaining productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders that are based on genuine partnerships, care and authentic dialogue.
- Managing contracts and carry out regular inspections on work carried out on Council open space by contractors or other Council work teams to ensure that works have been completed to the correct quality standards.
- Responsible for the management of relevant budgets and expenditure to ensure both efficient and effective delivery to the community.

About you

You are a hands-on and inclusive leader who thrives on empowering your team and actively supporting their growth. You value time in the field, helping your team understand the bigger picture—how their daily work directly enhances Glen Eira’s open spaces and contributes to broader community and environmental outcomes.

Passionate about urban biodiversity and horticultural excellence, you bring innovation, fresh ideas, and a genuine commitment to creating greener, more sustainable spaces for the community. You’re excited by the opportunity to shape this role, influence positive change, and deliver tangible improvements in both environmental outcomes and team culture.

With a strong background in public open space management, you bring a blend of technical expertise and people leadership. You have a proven ability to engage and collaborate with stakeholders at all levels, and you’re driven to create an inclusive, safe, and high-performing workplace. Your leadership style inspires trust, fosters continuous improvement, and ensures alignment with strategic priorities across Council and community initiatives.

Skills and Experience

- Advanced certificate/Diploma/Degree of High-Level National accreditation in horticultural, turf and/or conservation land management and relevant demonstrated experience in amenity horticultural management and maintenance operations
- Demonstrated leadership qualities and experience in supervision and performance management
- Proven track record in the development of successful open space services, including fostering a climate of organisational cohesion, flexibility and responsiveness
- Experience in monitoring and maintaining the integrity of system data provided by staff and contractors
- Well-developed interpersonal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate messages to various audiences, produce high quality reports and represent Glen Eira professionally in forums
- Ability to motivate and lead teams to provide exceptional customer service by delivering high levels of productivity and quality outcomes
- Experience in developing and implementing a range of OH&S systems in a Parks environment
- Victorian Driver’s Licence

Not meeting all the requirements for this role? We value diverse experiences for positive community outcomes. If you're excited about the position but don/'t perfectly align with the criteria, we still encourage you to apply.

Pre-employment checks

Progressed candidates must undergo pre-employment screening as a standard procedure which will include:

- Employee Working with Children Check
- New National Police Record Check
- Evidence of right to work in Australia.

Pre-employment checks are not used by Glen Eira City Council to prevent any applicant from applying for this position. Each application will be considered on its merits.

Position Description

Position Description - Coordinator Open Space Horticulture and Biodiversity - September 2025.pdf

Apply NOW

All applications must be submitted online by clicking the ‘Apply’ button. As part of your application, you will need to:

- Attach your resume
- Attach a cover letter (no more than one page)

Closing date: Sunday 28th of September 2025 at 11.55pm

For further information or a confidential discussion please contact Jess van der Werff, Manager Parks Services on 03 95243319 or email jvanderwerff@gleneira.vic.gov.au.

What’s on offer

We have a great culture that is valued by all our staff. Teamwork, collaboration and innovation are a key focus at Glen Eira City Council. We will offer you:

- Hybrid work environment and Flexible work options
- A supportive and collaborative team environment where your ideas are welcomed
- Access to paid training and participation in Council’s extensive Learning and Development programs
- Reward and recognition programs
- Comprehensive leave entitlements
- Corporate gym memberships at Glen Eira Leisure

Working at Glen Eira City Council

The City of Glen Eira is a dynamic municipality located within the southeast metropolitan region of Melbourne, approximately 10 kilometres from the CBD. Council provides a range of services to over 155,000 residents from more than 160 cultural backgrounds and over 16,000 businesses.

Glen Eira City Council is a collaborative, values-based organisation that strives for innovation. Our 1,370 employees bring their diverse backgrounds and varied experiences and perspectives to an inclusive and flexible work environment, creating a unique and vibrant culture that is representative of the municipality it services.

Recognised as an Employer of Choice, we seek people who share our community focused values and have a desire to create positive local impact.

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