Horticulturalist

The Gladstone Area Water Board (GAWB) is a commercial Statutory Authority responsible to the Minister for Regional Development and Manufacturing and Minister for Water.

GAWB’s purpose is to supply water in bulk to major consumers in the Gladstone Region.  Those consumers comprise major industries, power generating organisations, and the Gladstone Regional Council.

GAWB manages a variety of assets ranging from major water storage through to pump stations, pipelines, storage tanks and water treatment plants and takes measures to protect the quantity and quality of present and future water supplies and provides, operates and maintains recreational facilities and fish fingerling production facilities and stocking programs.

About the Role

Reporting to the Grounds and Catchment Supervisor, this position is responsible for the maintenance of landscaping, reticulation systems and gardening resources in line with GAWB’s Open Space Maintenance Management Plan (OSMMP), including landscaping improvement projects as required to GAWB owned recreation and infrastructure sites.

About You

The Horticulturalist plays a key role in undertaking complex horticultural duties related to the maintenance and development of GAWB owned recreation and infrastructure sites in accordance with horticultural best practice and procedures.

This is a true hands-on role.  The successful candidate must be self-motivated with the ability to work unsupervised and exhibit the following, qualifications, skills and attributes:

Your key accountabilities include:

• Undertake complex horticultural duties related to the maintenance and development of GAWB owned recreation and infrastructure sites in accordance with horticultural best practice and procedures
• Operate and maintain a wide range of horticultural equipment and machinery, demonstrating horticultural best practice and compliance with GAWB’s WHS legislation policies and procedures.
• Develop planned maintenance program in alignment with GAWB’s Open Space Maintenance Management Plan (OSMMP)
• Install and maintain pressurised irrigation systems, undertake condition assessments, audits and prepare reports for programmed maintenance and repairs.
• Undertake pest plant and animal monitoring as per Biosecurity Plan, including identification and mapping
• Identify weeds, pests and diseases and formulate appropriate integrated pest management control measures.
• Ensure the safe use of chemicals, fertiliser and biological controls when storing, mixing, transporting, and application
• Participate in recreation area on-call roster
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with key stakeholders
• Respond to public enquiries with regards to general horticultural matters
• Assist other GAWB Business Units with advice and support on landscaping improvement projects

In accordance with the planned maintenance program, undertake various activities including: 

• Maintaining GAWB’s gardens and lawns
• Maintaining walking trails and footpaths
• Tree lopping and pruning

Essential Experience / Licence:

• Certificate III in Horticulture (or related discipline)
• Current C Class Driver’s Licence
• White Card / Blue Card (Construction)

Essential Experience / Capabilities:

• High level understanding and knowledge of the growth requirements of Australian native plants and proven ability to apply this knowledge to practical situations.
• Demonstrated high level of experience in horticultural maintenance and development using a range of horticultural plant and equipment.

Desirable:

• Previous experience working in public gardens
• Chainsaw ticket
• ACDC Chemical License (Commercial Operators License) (weed control)
• 4 x 4 vehicle experience
• Pressurised irrigation systems
• Hepatitis B and Tetanus inoculation (or willingness to obtain)
• Q Fever inoculation (or willingness to obtain)
• Medium Rigid Truck License (or willingness to obtain)
• Skid steer loader ticket
• Current First Aid and CPR (or willingness to obtain)