Assistant Gardener - Handyperson

Advertised Vacancy Number: IPS/SS878550

This is a six (6) month fixed term, part-time (0.6FTE) position commencing Term 1, 2024 with possible extension (6 months) and/or permanency.

Como Secondary College (SC) is seeking a dedicated, self-motivated, and reliable individual to join their team in the role of Gardener – Handyperson.

As a Gardener – Handyperson, you will work enthusiastically to provide gardening, grounds, and facility management, keeping the school grounds to a high standard. In addition to maintaining and presenting the school grounds and gardens in an attractive, clean, and tidy condition, you will ideally provide a suitable growing environment for both soft and hard landscaping, including turf management.

You will ideally have a passion for gardening and understand the needs of an active school community and be able to maintain tools and horticultural equipment in a serviceable condition, in accordance with the Department’s policies and guidelines.

The successful applicant should be flexible, adaptable and be capable of performing tasks and duties using safe work practices and maintain accurate gardening records. As a Gardener – Handyperson, you will provide advice and support to the Manager Corporate Services on school grounds maintenance and carry out minor repairs and maintenance around the school, as and when required.

The ideal candidate would possess good communication and interpersonal skills which are required to provide grounds and maintenance advice and to establish and maintain good working relationships with staff and community. The ideal applicant will have the capacity to work unsupervised, with the ability to identify and recognise work that is required to be completed, and build a calendar of scheduled tasks, without specific direction. You will also be expected to monitor and maintain the reticulation systems, the marking of sports areas, and arm and disarm security systems as and when required.

The aesthetics of the school buildings and settings, with established trees and garden beds make the school a pleasant place to visit, work and learn. Como SC is driven by the belief that every student is capable of successful learning. The College is an Independent Public School catering for students from Year 7 to Year 12. Every student matters at Como. We work to build each student's belief in their own capacity to learn and their understanding of the relationship between effort and success. Our aim is to ensure that every student progresses.

The school is located less than 6 kilometres from the centre of Perth and is close to major transport hubs. This enables our students to easily access and utilise Perth's major universities, training institutions, cultural attractions and sporting facilities.

The Department is an equal opportunity employer and encourages people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and persons from culturally diverse backgrounds to apply.

To be suitable for this role, you will need to demonstrate the following work-related requirements (selection criteria):

1. Good communication skills.
2. Ability to operate and maintain equipment and apply safe working practices.
3. Ability to assist in maintaining both soft and hard landscaped areas.
4. Ability in the practical application and safe use of hand tools.

Further information about this position can be found in the attached job description form (JDF).

Additional information about Independent Public Schools is also available here

For job related information

Application Instructions

Our aim is to make it easy for you to apply!

Your application should include:

1. A detailed CV outlining your work history and experience in the context of the role. Your CV should include two (2) work related referees, one being your current Line Manager and;
2. A cover letter of no more than two (2) pages. Please address the work related requirements by providing an example that shows your ability, knowledge and application in relation to each criterion.

To submit your application:

• Click on the “Apply for Job” button located at either the top or bottom of this screen. You can then complete the online application form and attach your CV and any other supporting documents.

Please allow enough time to complete this process as applications cannot be accepted after the closing date and time.

If you are having trouble submitting your online application, please contact the Recruitment team on (08) 9264 41***for assistance.

Eligibility and training requirements  

Employees will be required to:

• complete introductory School Gardener training within 3 months of commencement in metropolitan areas or as soon as practicable for regional areas
• provide evidence of eligibility to work in Australia for the term of the vacancy;
• consent to a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check and obtain a current Screening Clearance Number issued by the Department of Education’s Screening Unit prior to commencement of employment;
• obtain or hold a current Working with Children Check;
• complete the Department’s induction program within three months of commencement;
• complete the Department’s training in Accountable and Ethical Decision-Making within six months of appointment and every three years thereafter;
• complete the Department’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural awareness online course within 3 months of commencement;
• complete any training specific to this role required by Departmental policy.

This selection process will initially be used to fill the above vacancy. Applicants assessed as suitable during this selection process may be considered for other similar vacancies that occur throughout our school for up to 12 months following this initial appointment. This includes circumstances where this position becomes subsequently vacant should the successful applicant decline or vacate the advertised position. 

The Department applies a four (4) day breach period to this selection process.

Applications must be submitted before 4.00pm (WST) on Wednesday, 7 February 2024

ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED BEFORE THE CLOSING DATE AND TIME. 

APPLICATIONS THAT DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS LISTED AND LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.