A great lifestyle in a treasured environment, this is life at PSC!

The opportunity

Our Parks team are seeking two enthusiastic Trades Gardeners who share the same passion for the horticulture industry. You’ll have a strong background in the safe operation of machinery and equipment, along with experience in greenkeeping or turf management, which will be valuable in maintaining our sports fields to a high standard. You’ll also provide effective leadership and mentoring to your team.

As a Trades Gardener, you’ll play an essential role in ensuring our recreational facilities, including sports fields and foreshores, are maintained to a high standard and always ready to be enjoyed by the Port Stephens community. You’ll participate in continuous improvement practices, perform works in accordance with our business management and enterprise risk systems, complete asset inspections, and carry out customer requests for maintenance.

Some of the key responsibilities within this role are listed below however you can view the full list – view the position description.

Effective leadership, direction, monitoring, coaching & mentoring of team members particularly Apprentices and Volunteers. Assist Parks Supervisors with contract management.

Undertake Horticultural maintenance and minor construction in accordance to Levels of Service/Project Schedules including active participation in 'hand on' / physical work components.

Complete asset inspections & customer requests for maintenance

This is a permanent opportunity – working full-time working 38 hours / week . Work 38 hours over 4 days enjoying every Monday off!!

Base Salary Range: $65,978 - $74,884 pa based on 38 hours / week + 12% superannuation + $2,312 retention allowance - rates are based off of the FY24/25 rates and will increase by 4% at the end of July 2025.

You will be working from Raymond Terrace Depot or Nelson Bay Depot

We’re all about putting the right people, in the right role! Here’s what we’re looking for:

Trade Certificate in field of Horticulture and equivalent

Demonstrated experience in trades level horticulture activities including maintenance of sports & foreshore surfaces, reserves, trees, playgrounds, garden beds & landscaped areas.

Proven ability to operate and maintain horticultural machinery including specialised equipment.

Enough about us, we want to hear about you! So tell us about…

Why you want this role and how it aligns to your career aspirations.

What is your preferred location or are you applying to both?

This is life at PSC!

Work/Life balance with generous leave entitlements

Long service leave when you’ve been with us for just over 5 years

Paid Parental Leave so you can spend more time with your new little human

Confidential support (including mental health) through our employee assistance program

Award winning health and wellbeing program PSCare, Workers Health Initiative with access to a broad range of gyms in the area, and discounted health insurance

And lots more…

Ready to Apply? Here’s what you need to know

Applications Close: Midnight, Wednesday, 6 August 2025

Contact: Dave Roberts, Parks Supervisor on 0409 713 744

For information on our recruitment process, and what we look for in an application, please visit our Careers page on our website for ‘How to Apply’

To complete your online application, you will be asked to upload a copy of your resume and provide responses to questions which are based on the criteria listed in the Position Description and our organisation Values

We’re a 2024 Circle Back Initiative Employer – we commit to respond to every applicant

We’ve partnered with the Veterans Employment Program to support veterans finding suitable, sustainable and meaningful employment.

Port Stephens Council adheres to the principles of a child safe organisation and supports children and young people having safe and welcoming experience in our community, accessing our facilities and in our care.

We acknowledge the Worimi as the original Custodians and inhabitants of Port Stephens. May we walk the road to tomorrow with mutual respect and admiration as we care for the beautiful land and waterways together