Leading Hand

Gympie Regional Council_ _(GRC)_ is at the heart of a rapidly expanding region which stretches from rural valleys in the west to the Cooloola Coast, gateway to spectacular Fraser Island. The regional centre of Gympie is central to the Gympie region, two hours north of Brisbane and in close proximity to the Sunshine and Fraser coasts. _Gympie Regional Council_ offices are located in Gympie's town centre close to shopping, cafes and parking.

Enjoy the rural delights of the picturesque Mary Valley, the history of Gympie and the broad western area, home to country festivals and a strong agricultural base. For someone seeking a high quality of life, the region offers a unique opportunity. You could be part of a forward-thinking local government organisation with a commitment to continuously improving the services it provides to its 50,000 residents, in one of the most diverse locations in Queensland.

**Leading Hand - Parks and Gardens**:
**Remuneration**:$1191.38 per week plus applicable allowances and 13 per cent superannuation

This position supports Council’s direction by supervising staff whilst still undertaking a wide range of horticultural, landscape, arboriculture, turf management, plant operation and truck driving tasks as part of a multi-disciplined team that is responsible for the construction and maintenance of Council’s parks, reserves, sporting facilities and urban streetscapes in accordance to Council’s priorities and standards.

As the Leading Hand - Parks and Gardens, you would be responsible for tasks such as:

- Lead and manage a team to deliver quality horticultural, landscape, arboriculture, turf management outcomes consistent with relevant Council standards and industry best practice.
- Supervise staff to ensure works are undertaken in a safe, competent, efficient and timely manner.
- Actively and constructively contribute to the development and implementation of Council’s project briefs, maintenance specifications and schedules.
- Commitment to actively participate and lead learning and professional development activities.
- Identify new ways to improve work practices in accordance with Council's continuous improvement commitment.
- Implement and manage team’s activities in accordance the MUTDC.

**About You**:
Council is seeking a reliable team player, with the ability to also work independently when required to join our parks team. A person who is conscious of standards and who appreciates the responsibility that comes with working in the public eye will do well in this role.

To be successful in the role, you will require:

- Demonstrated ability to supervise parks staff.
- Demonstrated and applied knowledge in contemporary horticultural practices.
- Demonstrated experience with mowers (hand and ride-on) as well as other relevant machinery such as brush cutters, weed spraying units, chain saws and pole-saws.
- Demonstrated physical agility and dexterity to carry out labouring and frequent heavy lifting and bending.
- Demonstrated ability to maintain harmony within a team and foster good working relationships with all Council employees and members of the public.
- Demonstrated ability to plan and organise complex tasks and maintenance work under general supervision.
- Minimum three years’ relevant knowledge and experience in maintenance of parks, reserves, sporting facilities and urban streetscapes.

**Mandatory Requirements**:

- Queensland ‘C’ Class driver’s licence or above that is current and maintained.
- Construction Industry White/Blue card.
- Certificate III (or higher) in horticulture, arboriculture, green-keeping or similar.

Although not mandatory for this position, the following would be advantageous:

- Traffic Management Implementation (formerly level 2).
- Understanding of grass management practices, arboriculture practices, landscape design, natural area management and machinery operations and maintenance relevant to these activities.

**Who to Contact**

**About the Benefits**:
GRC offers all valued staff considerable opportunities for professional development and education assistance, in addition to extending quality of life benefits such as health, fitness & wellbeing programs and employee assistance to their families.

**What we offer?**
- Nine day fortnight
- Access to employee health and well-being programs
- Fitness Passport: work out at over 25 local gyms for you and your family at a subsidised rate
- Access to professional development and employee education assistance
- Long service leave after seven years
- Generous superannuation scheme 13 per cent
- Access to salary sacrificing
- Employee assistance program offering free confidential counselling services for employees and their families.

Successful applicants will be required to undertake various checks such as skills, qualifications, reference, medical and national police.