Horticulturalist & Bus Driver

Company description:

About Brisbane Catholic Education

Brisbane Catholic Education (BCE) is a vibrant learning community within the Archdiocese, employing over 12,000 people across a diverse range of positions. As the largest provider of Catholic education in Queensland, BCE is dedicated to delivering high-quality education from Prep to Year 12. Through strong partnerships with parents, governments, and the wider community, BCE fosters social responsibility, self-discipline and Catholic values in all its students. We offer a supportive working culture where care for the individual is an important part of our ethos. Arrive at work every day to a welcoming and compassionate environment, knowing that you'll be supported to take care of what's important to you. Learn more about Brisbane Catholic Education.

Job description:

Summary

Play a key role in developing and implementing exciting improvements to gardens, grounds, playing fields, and external surfaces, enhancing the school environment.

• Location: St Thomas More College - Sunnybank (S)
• Start date: 27/10/2025
• Work hours: 38.00 hours per week
• Salary: $34.1716/hr + super
• Status: Full Time Continuing
• Ad close date: 26/10/2025
• Contact:

About our school

St Thomas More College is a Brisbane Catholic Education co-educational secondary college catering for approximately 1030 students. Our college opened in 1974 and from inception developed a strong commitment to the pastoral care of students. At the core of all that we do is our mission to provide a holistic education to all students.

This mission, inspired by Jesus, is to seek, grow and serve by fostering in all students: a commitment to our Christian faith; a commitment to learning; and a sense of community. Come and share the vision for all our graduates. A vision that is explicit about beliefs, values and capacity for informed choice in an ever-changing world. A vision of young people with soul, personal integrity, and the skills to achieve success in life. Explore our school website to learn more about us.

About the opportunity

The Horticulturalist and Greenkeeper position works on the care and maintenance of the College gardens, surrounds and sporting facilities. The role holder will assist the Property and Facilities Manager with planning and prioritising works programs including co-ordination of quality control techniques during program works. As a member of the Facilities Staff of the College (Grounds, Maintenance and Cleaning Staff), the Horticulturalist/Greenkeeper role holder supports the Principal and Leadership Team in the provision of services to the College community.

Characteristics of the Position:

• Maintain gardens, grounds, lawns, and playing surfaces, including top dressing, seeding, turfing, coring, planting, trimming, mulching and fertilising.
• Prepare ovals for sporting events and carnivals, including laying out and line marking playing fields.
• Supervise, maintain and participate in the installation, operation, and maintenance of pumps, irrigation equipment, and drainage systems.
• Manage the safe distribution and application of organic and chemical pesticides, sprays, and fertilisers, including correct storage and recording.
• Operate and maintain a wide range of specialised machinery and equipment for lawns, turf, and playing fields, and routinely undertake maintenance of machinery and equipment.
• Supervise and train grounds people, trades people and apprentices.
• Manage and maintain stores and facilities, including stock control and record keeping.
• Maintain a safe working environment for staff, students and visitors.
• Knowledge, understanding and experience in all aspects of grounds and garden maintenance and planning.
• Ability to work under general supervision either individually or in the team environment.
• Ability to prioritise tasks based on workflow where some time constraints are present.
• Knowledge of safe operating procedures and safe work practices in relation to the operation of a wide range of grounds and maintenance plant and equipment.
• Working knowledge of the safety requirements of hazardous substance usage and management within the grounds and maintenance environment.
• Exercise good interpersonal and communication skills.

About you

To be successful in this position you will bring relevant contemporary skills and experience including:

• Experience in maintaining gardens, lawns, and playing surfaces.
• Knowledge of operating and maintaining pumps, irrigation equipment, and drainage systems.
• Ability to safely distribute and apply pesticides, sprays, and fertilisers, with proficiency in operating and maintaining specialised machinery and equipment.
• Strong organisational skills for managing stores and facilities, including stock control and record keeping.
• Experience in supervising and training grounds people, trades people, and apprentices.
• Commitment to WHS requirements.
• Certificate Level 3 Horticulture, Parks & Gardens.
• HR/MR Driving License with clean record and drivers' authorisation (or willingness to obtain). Training will be provided.
• Relevant tertiary qualifications at Certificate III level, or completion of an apprenticeship would be highly regarded.
• Ability to drive both manual and automatic transmission buses.

Our Safeguarding Requirements:

• Eligibility to work within Australia for the period of appointment.
• Currently hold or ability to obtain a Paid Employee Positive Notice Blue Card prior to commencement.

Why choose BCE

Join us and be part of the largest Catholic Diocese in Queensland, nurturing your personal and professional development goals. As a valued member of our organisation, enjoy these and other rewards:

• Opportunities for career advancement and professional development
• Competitive remuneration and flexible work arrangements (position dependent)
• Access to targeted AI tools and training with a focus on innovation and strong ethical standards. Learn more here: The Rome Call for AI Ethics and Microsoft Australia News Centre
• Salary packaging and salary-sacrificing options
• Active staff social club and wellness programs
• Personal support for our employees and families through the Employee Assistance Program.

Please note applications for this position may be considered as they are received, and an appointment made prior to the advertised close date.

Everyone at BCE models and fosters a commitment to the safeguarding of children and promotes a culture where student protection is everyone's responsibility. The Archdiocese of Brisbane has standards of conduct for workers to maintain a safe and healthy environment for children. Our commitment to these standards requires that we conduct working with children checks and background referencing for all persons who will engage in direct and regular involvement with children and young people and/or adults-at-risk. The organisation is fully committed to child safety and has a zero tolerance to abuse of children or adults-at-risk.

Equity and inclusion are at the core of our Catholic values and we recognise the benefits of a diverse workforce. We encourage and welcome candidates from all backgrounds to apply for this position.

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