Grounds Team Leader

Posted: 04/11/2025- Closing Date: 18/11/2025- Job Type: Ongoing - Full Time- Location: The Friends' School, North Hobart- Job Category: Facilities & Services- **Join Our Community at The Friends’ School - Hobart**
- The Friends’ School, Hobart, is a leading Independent School in Tasmania offering a globally focused, high-quality education from Early Learning to Year 12. Guided by the Quaker values of Integrity, Simplicity, Equality, and Peace, we foster an inclusive, supportive and welcoming environment where students and staff alike can thrive.
- At Friends’, we believe in lifelong learning - not just for our students, but for our staff as well. A career with us means becoming part of a dynamic community that values collaboration, personal growth and meaningful contributions. Whether in the classroom or beyond, our team plays a vital role in shaping the future through education, innovation and care.
- If you’re looking for a workplace that inspires, challenges, and supports you, we invite you to explore the opportunities at The Friends’ School. Here, your work matters - not just to our students, but to the wider community and the world.
- **Why Work at The Friends’ School?**
- At The Friends’ School, we value our staff as much as our students. As part of our team, you’ll enjoy a supportive and inclusive workplace with a strong focus on wellbeing, professional growth, and work-life balance. We offer:

- **Wellbeing** - Free Employee Assistance Program, annual flu vaccinations and wellbeing initiatives. No cost use of Friends Health & Fitness (conditions apply).
**Financial & Leave Benefits** - Salaries are exclusive of super. Staff discounts on school fees. Paid parental leave, priority childcare access.
**Professional & Community Engagement** - Induction programs, social events and opportunities to contribute to outreach programs like Relay for Life, Loui's Van and Red Cross Blood Donation.
- More information on our community can be found on our Friends' School website.
- Join us and be part of a school that truly values its people.
- **About the Role**:

- The Friends’ School is seeking an experienced and proactive **Grounds Team Leader** to join our Facilities & Services team. This is an exciting opportunity for a skilled horticulture professional to lead and support the maintenance of the School’s beautiful and historic grounds.
- Reporting to the **Facilities & Services Coordinator**, you will oversee the day-to-day operations of the grounds team, ensuring the School’s gardens and outdoor spaces are safe, vibrant, and well-maintained. You will lead by example, promoting best practice in horticulture, safety, and sustainability while supporting trainees and contractors to deliver high-quality outcomes.
- This is a **permanent full-time position (38 hours per week)** based at our North Hobart campus, with occasional weekend or out-of-hours work to support School events.

**Key Focus Areas**:

- Lead, mentor, and supervise the grounds team and horticulture trainees across all School properties.
- Plan and manage daily workloads, maintenance schedules, and landscape projects in line with the School’s service levels.
- Promote and ensure a child-safe environment through compliance with mandatory reporting and safeguarding policies.
- Maintain lawns, gardens, and trees to a high standard, ensuring safe and accessible outdoor areas for students and staff.
- Oversee and monitor grounds contractors, ensuring adherence to site safety, quality, and completion standards.
- Undertake irrigation system design, installation, and maintenance.
- Ensure all work is carried out safely, including completion of Take 5s and Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS).
- Support the Facilities & Services team with events, projects, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Manage grounds consumables, supplies, and procurement within delegated authority. Foster a positive and collaborative team culture within the Facilities & Services team.- _A full outline of responsibilities is provided in the _Position Description_._- **Essential Qualifications & Requirements**:

- Certificate III in Horticulture (or equivalent qualification/experience).
- Minimum of 3 years’ experience in a horticulture, landscaping, or grounds maintenance role.
- Proven leadership experience supervising staff and contractors.
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to plan and prioritise work effectively.
- Sound knowledge of safe chemical handling, lawn care, and irrigation systems.
- Current Tasmanian **Working with Vulnerable People registration (employment)** and a recent **National Police Check (less than 6 months old)**.
- Current **Light Rigid driver’s licence** (or willingness to obtain).
- Commitment to the School’s **Purpose & Concerns** and Quaker values.

**How to Apply**:

- To apply, please submit the following:

- A **cover letter** outlining your interest and suitability for the role, including relevant horticultural and leadership experie