Horticulture and Town Services Officer

Schedule 2 - Position Description

Position: Horticulture and Town Services Officer

Incumbent:

Position Number: 7067

Directorate: Community Services

Team: Horticulture

Position Status: Permanent Full Time

Classification: Queensland Local Government Industry Award (Stream B)

Level: 3

Primary Location: Longreach

Revised: September 2025

Our Vision

Connecting Council and Community

Our Mission

Delivering Excellent Service

Our Eight Core Values

1. A Safe and Healthy Work Environment

1. Inclusiveness and Respect

2. Consistency and Fairness

3. Teamwork and Staff Development

4. Performance and Value for Money

5. Leadership and Collaboration

6. Sustainability

7. Forward-looking

Position Objective

This role supports the maintenance and presentation of public spaces and facilities across the Longreach

Region. It involves a mix of horticultural care, equipment operation, and general upkeep of community assets.

The position contributes to the delivery of quality services through teamwork, effective communication, and

a strong focus on safety and community engagement. Flexibility and a willingness to assist across various

locations and duties are essential to meeting Council's operational needs.

Position Responsibilities

Functional Areas Key Accountabilities

Horticultural Maintenance
• General horticultural maintenance including, but not limited to:

• Mowing
• Cleaning
• Brush Cutting
• Trimming Trees
• Hedging
• Pruning
• Weeding
• Spraying Herbicides
• Collection of litter
• Mulching

• Planting of new trees and shrubs as directed

• Carry out programmed works and reactive maintenance and

improvement of all recreational areas.

Irrigation and Water Systems
• Installation and maintenance of irrigation and sprinkler systems.

• Reporting and resolving faults in irrigation systems.

Plant and Equipment

Operation

• Operation of plant and equipment for the maintenance of streetscapes

and recreational open spaces.

• Undertake daily maintenance and minor repairs of utilised plant.
• Advise immediate supervisor of any faulty equipment and follow reporting

procedures.

Public Facilities Support
• Carry out RMPC works on behalf of Council (e.g., removal of carcasses,

cleaning public facilities, emptying roadside bins).

• Assist in duties associated with Council-operated Swimming Pools.
• Assist in duties associated with setting and packing down of civic and

community events.

Customer Service and

Community Engagement

• Ensure good public relations and provide a high level of customer service.
• Assist with prompt responses to customer enquiries.
• Project a helpful and positive image of Council and its staff.

Teamwork and

Communication

• Work within a team environment to achieve departmental and

organisational goals.

• Communicate, solve and discuss work problems with team members and

Supervisor.

Other Duties
• Other relevant duties as required within the scope of the position, as

directed by the Supervisor or Chief Executive Officer.

Key Relationships

Accountable to Horticulture and Town

Services Supervisor

The Horticulture and Town Services Officer will have an

effective, collaborative and communicative working

relationship with the Horticulture and Town Services

Supervisor and is responsive to their requests.

Works with (Internally) Horticulture and Town

Services Leading Hand

The Horticulture and Town Services Officer will have an

effective, collaborative and communicative working

relationship with the Horticulture and Town Services

Leading Hand and is responsive to their requests.

Works with (Internally) Horticulture and Town

Services Team

The Horticulture and Town Services Officer will have a

positive relationship with their colleagues, which

involves active collaboration, sharing ideas and working

together to create a conductive environment.

Works with (Internally) Manager of Community

Facilities

Have an effective, responsive and communicative

working relationship with the Manager of Community

Facilities.

Works with (externally) Community members

and other relevant

stakeholders

The Horticulture and Town Services Officer will have an

approachable, attentive, respectful relationship with all

relevant stakeholders.

Extent of Authority

This position works under general supervision with the freedom to act within established policies and practices.

The position must understand that their powers are limited to their delegated authority and know and comply with

any authority/obligation that comes with their powers.

Position Requirements

Personal Attributes

• Able to demonstrate a commitment to Council's core values through personal action.

• Able to gain respect and create good working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

• Able to work under general supervision, within a team environment.

• Good attention to detail and a commitment to high quality work.

Skills

• Ability to operate, inspect and maintain small plant and equipment for maintenance of turf, trees and shrubs.

• Developed communication skills with the ability to deal with all levels of staff, management and businesses.
• Good customer service skills, both internal and external customers.
• Developed analytical and problem solving ability.
• Ability to effectively complete works inline with open spaces masterplan.
• Ability to effectively manage time and meet deadlines with minimal supervision.

Knowledge

• Demonstrated knowledge of general horticulture principles.

• Demonstrated knowledge on the application and decanting of chemicals and relevant safety requirements.
• A thorough understanding of how to maintain a safe working environment.

Essential Experience/Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in the operation of small and medium equipment, including but not limited to: zero

turn mowers, push mowers, chainsaws, whipper snippers, pole saws and hedge trimmers;

• Experience in horticulture maintenance duties;
• Working with Children Check (WWCC) Blue Card;
• General Construction Induction Card (White Card);
• Current "C" Class Drivers Licence.

Desirable Experience/Qualifications

• Cert III in Horticulture or equivalent experience, or the ability to obtain.

• Current "MR" Class Drivers Licence.
• Current First Aid/CPR competency;
• Certification in operation of Street Sweeper truck.
• Control Traffic with a Stop Slow Bat;
• Traffic Management Implementation;
• Operate and Maintain Chainsaws competency;
• Chemical Handling competency (Prepare & Apply chemicals; Transport & Store Chemicals; Control Weeds).

Delegations and Authorisations

Vehicle Authorisation

Nil

Financial Delegation

Nil

Inherent requirements

These are the essential requirements of this position:

• This role may be subject to work related contact outside of normal business hours, including responding to

emergency situations to ensure the safety of the community by maintaining and addressing urgent issues in

greenspaces and town infrastructure.

• This role is required to work across all four Longreach Regional Council towns.

Workplace Health and Safety Obligations

All employees have a legal obligation to comply with regulatory requirements and LRC– SMS (Longreach Regional

Council's - Safety Management System) incorporating WH&S policies, procedures and work instructions. These

are introduced to ensure the health and safety of employees, contractors, visitors, volunteers, the public and the

environment and remain compliant with Industry Benchmark Standards.

The following statements apply to all employees, including permanent, part-time and casual employees.

Your responsibilities include:

1. To comply with instructions given for WH&S at a workplace by the employer;

2. Comply with the Health and safety duties and Duty of Care requirements as specified within the Work

Health and Safety Act 2011 Part 2.

1. Timely reporting all accidents, incidents minor injuries, near misses and property damage (within 24 hours

of the event) and assisting, if required, with the investigation of all incidents in the workplace;

1. For a worker to use the PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) provided by the employer after proper

instruction in its use;

1. Not to wilfully or recklessly interfere with or misuse anything provided for WH&S at the workplace;

2. Not to wilfully place at risk the WH&S of any persons at the workplace including yourself;

3. Adhere to the LRC–SMS by remaining compliant to Council's WH&S Management Plan and completing

relevant Monthly Action Plan items;

1. Performing all work and associated functions in a safe, efficient and effective manner;

2. Complying with all documented WH&S policies, procedures, work instruction and verbal instructions

issued by the organisation or its officers;

1. Provide advice to ensuring risk assessments are conducted and recorded for all identified hazards, or

prior to the implementation of new work practices, hazardous substances, or plant. Also, as required,

assisting or participating in the carrying out of risk assessments on identified hazards;

1. Identifying hazards, conducting risk assessments, and implementing corrective action to eliminate

hazards where possible and / or control risks in the workplace;

1. To report hazards and risks in accordance with WH&S procedures;

2. Establishing and maintaining a high standard of housekeeping within your individual work area(s) and

generally within the Longreach Regional Council's area of responsibility;

1. Attending any toolbox, team talks or specific training (e.g. Take 5s etc.) as supplied and required by

Longreach Regional Council;

1. Being familiar with the location of first aid treatment centres, fire protection facilities and evacuation

procedures;

1. Report any concerns for WH&S to your Supervisor.