Gardener

Location: North West Region | Bendigo

Job type: Part time / From 28/01/2025 - 25/01/2026

Organisation: Schools (Government)

**Salary**: Salary not specified

Occupation: Facilities Management

Reference: 1443681

**Selection Criteria**:
**SC1** Demonstrated ability to plan and run weekly gardening classes including preparation of any materials and recording of activities.

**SC2** Demonstrated ability to plan for the development and maintenance of our garden infrastructure to meet ongoing and future program/school needs.

**SC3 **Demonstrated ability to collaborate with and engage children and adults in gardening/community activities.

**SC4 **Demonstrated ability to maintain a communal gardening environment and/or a demonstrated passion for gardening and environmental learning.

**SC5 **Demonstrated capacity to communicate effectively in a team environment, including high level oral and written communication skills.

**Role**:
An enthusiastic & knowledgeable gardener/educator is wanted for an existing Garden program at Bendigo Primary School.
- be able to plan and plant seasonally & maintain garden areas,
- work with other staff to plan and communicate about weekly garden lessons, weekly cooking lessons, communicate gardening ideas
- organise garden activities for children and school community members, as well as working with them in the garden during class time or as part of lunch time clubs.
- Collaborate with students, staff and school community members in a team environment.
- Additional responsibilities may also include general garden tidying, organising working bees, maintenance, sweeping, weeding etc.
- The position is three days a week, time fraction 0.6 (22.80 hours). Days to be negotiated with the successful applicant.

**Responsibilities**:

- Have a sound knowledge of food cycles and seasonal planting.
- Manage and maintain the school garden areas including edible garden beds and involve students and families in the process.
- Be able to work alone and be self-directed and motivated.
- Communicate with school staff and school community about garden sessions, gardening tips and seasonal plantings and seasonal gardening jobs/maintenance.
- Coordinate, support and communicate with garden volunteers.
- Plan and organize weekly gardening sessions for each classroom.
- Work with staff to deliver gardening and cooking sessions.
- Additional responsibilities may also include general garden tidying, organising working bees, maintenance, sweeping, weeding etc.
- Maintain and manage the school greenhouse, shade house and propagation space.
- Manage and maintain a controller timed, pump pressurised multi station drip line irrigation system.
- Prune and maintain of our fruit trees and vines.
- Be able to integrate learning in the kitchen with learning in the garden.
- Have basic IT familiarity and skills.

**Who May Apply**:
Individuals with the aptitude, experience and/or qualifications to fulfill the specific requirements of the position.

**EEO AND OHS Commitment**:
**Child Safe Standards**:
Victorian government schools are child safe environments. Our schools actively promote the safety and wellbeing of all students, and all school staff are committed to protecting students from abuse or harm in the school environment, in accordance with their legal obligations including child safe standards. All schools have a Child Safety Code of Conduct consistent with the department's exemplar available at:
**DE Values**:
The department's employees commit to upholding the department's Values: Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights. The department's Values complement each school's own values and underpin the behaviours the community expects of Victorian public sector employees, including those who work in Victorian Government Schools. Information on the department values is available at:
**Other Information**:

- All staff employed by the Department and schools have access to a broad range of employment conditions and working arrangements.

**Conditions of Employment**:

- All staff employed by the Department and schools have access to a broad range of employment conditions and working arrangements.

**Location Profile**:
Bendigo Primary School is situated in central Bendigo. Our school community is diverse, including families that live in close proximity, as well as a number of families from neighbouring suburbs. Our school buildings reflect our pride and links with the past. Our school values are respect, responsibility and kindness.
- Our school vision is ¿At Bendigo Primary School, our vision is to empower socially and emotionally competent learners who are motivated, confident and mindful of self and others.¿

The school has 13.1 equivalent full-time (EFT) teaching staff and 6 full-time equivalent (EFT) Education Support staff. Our teaching staff consists of 9 classroom teachers, 4 Specialist teachers (part time), 1 Literacy Intervention and Support tea