Plant Operator

A fantastic opportunity is available for a suitably experienced and qualified Plant Operator (Grader) to join our Works team and enjoy great Council benefits.

Your Opportunity

The Plant Operator (Grader) is part of our Unsealed Works team and undertakes grading work and other duties as required to contribute to the effective and efficient operation of the Infrastructure Services Directorate. General labouring duties form part of this role from time to time, as required.

Experience and relevant qualification (ticket) in operating a Grader is required for this position.

Term:Full-time Permanent

Hours of Work: hours per fortnight, 9-day fortnight

Pay Level:$2, including $78.20 construction allowance) per fortnight (Level 6), plus 12% superannuation and 17.5% annual leave loading

In accordance with Council's Enterprise Agreement and the relevant Award.

Employment Base: Warwick, Queensland

Applications Close: 11:59pm Tuesday 9th September 2025

About the Department

The Works Department falls within the Infrastructure, Assets and Projects Directorate to deliver essential services to the community by planning, designing, constructing and maintaining roads, bridges, culverts, stormwater infrastructure, kerb and channel, footpaths and street lighting.  In addition, the Works department provides services to the Department of Transport and Main Roads under contract to maintain sections of the state-controlled road network within Southern Downs. The department further governs activities conducted by members of the community, such as the construction of private driveway accesses.

Working within the SDRC Works Department will offer you the satisfaction of directly delivering infrastructure services for the Southern Downs community

What You Will Do

For full details of this position, please ensure you download the Position Description below.

(Note: For applicants viewing this job vacancy through , you will be able to access the Position Description by clicking on the "Apply" button, or by visiting the job advertisement on our website at ).

The complete Key Responsibilities of this role can be found in the Position Description.These include (but are not limited to):

• Safely and competently operate the relevant plant (Grader);
• Undertake basic preventative maintenance of plant;
• Perform general labouring duties on site;
• Undertake operation of other plant for which the position holder is licensed.

What You Will Need

To be considered for this role, you will need:

• The legal right to live and work in Australia;
• Statement of Attainment in Grader operation from a Registered Training Organisation (RTO);
• A Class C (car) licence or greater;
• Occupational Health and Safety Construction Induction Card ("White Card") or the ability to obtain prior to commencement;
• Extensive experience and recent high-level operation of the relevant plant in a civil construction environment;
• Experience and understanding of appropriate preventative maintenance of relevant plant;
• Ability to plan work and complete within set time frames;
• Effective communication skills to enable the smooth running of worksite operations;
• Proven ability to work with limited or no supervision;
• To be able to demonstrate your competence in relation to all of the Selection Criteria as detailed in the Position Description

What We Offer

At Southern Downs Regional Council, we know that that our people are our strength. With this front of mind, we provide a wide range of benefits and a holistic approach to supporting our employees, including:

• Competitive wages, conditions and allowances
• Salary packaging and remote area benefits available, which can significantly increase tax savings and take-home pay
• Discounted corporate health insurance plans
• Improved work-life balance opportunities, such as a 9-day work fortnight and consideration of other flexible work options
• Generous leave provisions including Special Family Leave, Cultural Leave and 17.5% annual leave loading
• Access to a wide range of health and wellness initiatives, including free, skin checks, flu vaccinations and wellness medicals, and discounted gym memberships
• Employee Assistance Program for staff and their families (24/7 access). This service includes counselling, financial coaching, nutritional support and legal referrals, as well as access to specialised wellbeing support for LGBTIQA+ individuals, First Nations people, and individuals experiencing domestic and family violence through dedicated helpline
• Opportunities for on and off the job personal and professional development (study assistance available in accordance with policy)

To view comprehensive details of our employee value offering, please click HERE.(Note when viewing this job vacancy through - you will be able to access this link once by clicking on the "Apply" button, or by visiting the job advertisement on our website at )

Further Information

For further information about this role and working for Southern Downs Regional Council, please refer to the documents below:

(Note when viewing this job vacancy on - the links to information below will only be available once you click on the "Apply" button. Alternatively, you can access them via the job advertisement on our website at ).

• Position Description
• Join Southern Downs Regional Council (detailed employment information, including employee benefits)
• Our Values
• Living on the Southern Downs

If you have any additional enquiries in relation to this position, please contact the People and Culture Teamon

Apply Now

At SDRC, we believe that diversity enriches our workplace, drives innovation, and leads to better outcomes. We welcome applications from qualified people of all backgrounds, ethnicities, genders and abilities, who have applicable working rights in Australia.

To apply for this opportunity, you will be asked to complete an online application form and provide:

• Your current CV or Resume and cover letter

When you are ready to begin your application, please click on the "Apply" button below to be taken to our online application portal. Please ensure you provide all of the information requested and that your application is lodged by the closing date (as shown above). Should you have any difficulty lodging your application online, please contact our People & Culture team on ph for assistance.

We look forward to receiving your application.

Southern Downs Regional Council – A Great Place to Work

What we do at SDRC is more than just a job to us. Whether it's maintaining our clean water supply, keeping our parks and gardens beautiful, servicing our plant and vehicles, providing contemporary library services, responding to natural disasters or showcasing our region's immense natural beauty and economic strength, every Council employee strives to make a real difference for our local community.

Few employers combine so many diverse disciplines (eg engineers, trades such as mechanics and plumbers, safety specialists, project managers, plant operators, finance experts, IT specialists and urban planners to name a few) in one organisation. At SDRC, we work together towards the same goal. By integrating a multi-disciplined workplace with collective ideas and skillsets, we provide unique opportunities for our people to develop and grow within their chosen career.

We are passionate about aligning business, community and government to achieve social, economic and environmental outcomes. We believe this is best realised when people are invested in the long-term outcomes of where they live and work. If this sounds like you too, then working in local government at SDRC may be right for you.