Horticulture And Town Services Officer

Schedule 2 - Position Description
Position: Horticulture and Town Services Officer
Incumbent:
Position Number: 7067
Directorate: Community Services
Team: Horticulture
Position Status: Permanent Full Time
Classification: Queensland Local Government Industry Award (Stream B)
Level: 3
Primary Location: Longreach
Revised: September 2025

Our Vision
Connecting Council and Community

Our Mission
Delivering Excellent Service

Our Eight Core Values
1. A Safe and Healthy Work Environment
2. Inclusiveness and Respect
3. Consistency and Fairness
4. Teamwork and Staff Development
5. Performance and Value for Money
6. Leadership and Collaboration
7. Sustainability
8. Forward‑looking

Position Objective

This role supports the maintenance and presentation of public spaces and facilities across the Longreach Region. It involves a mix of horticultural care, equipment operation, and general upkeep of community assets. The position contributes to the delivery of quality services through teamwork, effective communication, and a strong focus on safety and community engagement. Flexibility and a willingness to assist across various locations and duties are essential to meeting Council’s operational needs.

Position Responsibilities

Horticultural Maintenance

- Mowing

- Cleaning

- Brush Cutting

- Trimming Trees

- Hedging

- Pruning

- Weeding

- Spraying Herbicides

- Collection of litter

- Mulching

- Planting of new trees and shrubs as directed

- Carry out programmed works and reactive maintenance and improvement of all recreational areas

Irrigation and Water Systems

- Installation and maintenance of irrigation and sprinkler systems

- Reporting and resolving faults in irrigation systems

Plant and Equipment Operation

- Operation of plant and equipment for the maintenance of streetscapes and recreational open spaces

- Undertake daily maintenance and minor repairs of utilized plant

- Advise immediate supervisor of any faulty equipment and follow reporting procedures

Public Facilities Support

- Carry out RMPC works on behalf of Council (e.g., removal of carcasses, cleaning public facilities, emptying roadside bins)

- Assist in duties associated with Council‑operated Swimming Pools

- Assist in duties associated with setting and packing down of civic and community events

Customer Service and Community Engagement

- Ensure good public relations and provide a high level of customer service

- Assist with prompt responses to customer enquiries

- Project a helpful and positive image of Council and its staff

Teamwork and Communication

- Work within a team environment to achieve departmental and organizational goals

- Communicate, solve and discuss work problems with team members and supervisor

Other Duties

Other relevant duties as required within the scope of the position, as directed by the Supervisor or Chief Executive Officer.

Key Relationships

Accountable to: Horticulture and Town Services Supervisor

The Horticulture and Town Services Officer will have an effective, collaborative and communicative working relationship with the Horticulture and Town Services Supervisor and is responsive to their requests.

Works with (Internally) Horticulture and Town Services Leading Hand – effective, collaborative and communicative relationship, responsive to requests.

Works with (Internally) Horticulture and Town Services Team – positive collaborative relationship, active sharing of ideas.

Works with (Internally) Manager of Community Facilities – effective, responsive and communicative relationship.

Works with (Externally) Community members and other relevant stakeholders – approachable, attentive, respectful relationship.

Extent of Authority

This position works under general supervision with the freedom to act within established policies and practices. The position must understand that their powers are limited to their delegated authority and know and comply with any authority/obligation that comes with their powers.

Position Requirements

Personal Attributes

- Able to demonstrate a commitment to Council’s core values through personal action

- Able to gain respect and create good working relationships with internal and external stakeholders

- Able to work under general supervision, within a team environment

- Good attention to detail and a commitment to high quality work

Skills

- Ability to operate, inspect and maintain small plant and equipment for maintenance of turf, trees and shrubs

- Developed communication skills with the ability to deal with all levels of staff, management and businesses

- Good customer service skills, both internal and external customers

- Developed analytical and problem solving ability

- Ability to effectively complete works inline with open spaces masterplan

- Ability to effectively manage time and meet deadlines with minimal supervision

Knowledge

- Demonstrated knowledge of general horticulture principles

- Demonstrated knowledge on the application and handling of chemicals and relevant safety requirements

- A thorough understanding of how to maintain a safe working environment

Essential Experience/Qualifications

- Demonstrated experience in the operation of small and medium equipment, including but not limited to: zero turn mowers, push mowers, chainsaws, whipper snippers, pole saws and hedge trimmers

- Experience in horticulture maintenance duties

- Working with Children Check (WWCC) Blue Card

- General Construction Induction Card (White Card)

- Current “C” Class Driver’s Licence

Desirable Experience/Qualifications

- Cert III in Horticulture or equivalent experience, or the ability to obtain

- Current “MR” Class Driver’s Licence

- Current First Aid/CPR competency

- Certification in operation of Street Sweeper truck

- Control Traffic with a Stop Slow Bat

- Traffic Management Implementation

- Operate and Maintain Chainsaws competency

- Chemical Handling competency (Prepare & Apply chemicals; Transport & Store Chemicals; Control Weeds)

Delegations and Authorisations

Vehicle Authorisation - Nil

Financial Delegation - Nil

Inherent Requirements

- This role may be subject to work‑related contact outside of normal business hours, including responding to emergency situations to ensure the safety of the community by maintaining and addressing urgent issues in greenspaces and town infrastructure

- This role is required to work across all four Longreach Regional Council towns

Workplace Health and Safety Obligations

All employees have a legal obligation to comply with regulatory requirements and LRC– SMS (Longreach Regional Council’s - Safety Management System) incorporating WH&S policies, procedures and work instructions. These are introduced to ensure the health and safety of employees, contractors, visitors, volunteers, the public and the environment and remain compliant with Industry Benchmark Standards.

1. To comply with instructions given for WH&S at a workplace by the employer; 2. Comply with the Health and safety duties and Duty of Care requirements as specified within the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 Part 2; 3. Timely reporting all accidents, incidents, minor injuries, near misses and property damage (within 24 hours of the event) and assisting, if required, with the investigation of all incidents in the workplace; 4. For a worker to use the PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) provided by the employer after proper instruction in its use; 5. Not to wilfully or recklessly interfere with or misuse anything provided for WH&S at the workplace; 6. Not to wilfully place at risk the WH&S of any persons at the workplace including yourself; 7. Adhere to the LRC–SMS by remaining compliant to Council’s WH&S Management Plan and completing relevant Monthly Action Plan items; 8. Performing all work and associated functions in a safe, efficient and effective manner; 9. Complying with all documented WH&S policies, procedures, work instruction and verbal instructions issued by the organisation or its officers; 10. Provide advice to ensuring risk assessments are conducted and recorded for all identified hazards, or prior to the implementation of new work practices, hazardous substances, or plant. Also, as required, assisting or participating in the carrying out of risk assessments on identified hazards; 11. Identifying hazards, conducting risk assessments, and implementing corrective action to eliminate hazards where possible and / or control risks in the workplace; 12. To report hazards and risks in accordance with WH&S procedures; 13. Establishing and maintaining a high standard of housekeeping within your individual work area(s) and generally within the Longreach Regional Council’s area of responsibility; 14. Attending any toolbox, team talks or specific training (e.g. Take 5s etc.) as supplied and required by Longreach Regional Council; 15. Being familiar with the location of first aid treatment centres, fire protection facilities and evacuation procedures; 16. Report any concerns for WH&S to your Supervisor.

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