Gardener
OVERALL PURPOSE OF THE POSITION
* Provide assistance and support to the Team Leader Grounds & Gardens in all of their role, and under
their direction, to carry out a range of technical and administrative functions.
* Ensure day-to-day activities, plans, programs for the Gardens of Barker College are carried out.
* Work in a team environment in the establishment, construction and maintenance of the School's soft and
hard landscaped areas of gardens, lawn, nature strips and courtyards and to provide first class and well-
managed facilities for students and staff.
PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
* Maintaining, to a high standard, lawn and garden presentation.
* Maintaining a clean and tidy school facade along the School's perimeter.
* Hand weeding, mulching and watering all gardens and planter boxes as required.
* Pesticide, fungicide and herbicide application of gardens, pathways and courtyards, following label rates
and correct procedure.
* Fertilizer application to garden beds and specific plant groups as seasonally required.
* Prune shrubs and trees to Industry standards during the appropriate seasons.
* Annual garden bed preparation, planting, management and maintenance.
* Clean leaf litter and debris from paths, driveways, car parks and courtyards twice weekly and when
required for special events.
* Mow and edge lawn areas and nature strips.
* Operate various types of machinery – hand/rotary mowers, brush cutters, ride-on machinery, tractors, ride-
on mowers, electric utility vehicles in accordance with safe operating procedures. Hold relevant permits
where applicable.
* Be able to carry out basic maintenance on machinery and all gardening equipment and hand tools.
* Keep storm water pits clean and free of silt and litter build up.
* Work within the EPA guidelines.
* Assist Team Leader Grounds & Gardens with supervision and coordination of contractors.
* Work with minimum supervision at times.
* Have knowledge of irrigation systems, maintenance and operation.
* Non-trade work is approximately 15% when needed to assist with duties that are outside the horticultural
trade.
WORK, HEALTH & SAFETY & ENVIRONMENT
Barker College has a documented Work Health and Safety Management System and an established Health
and Safety Representative. You are required to comply at all times with the system and its contents.
* Co-operating with the College in ensuring your safety and the safety of others.
* Following policies and directions designed to ensure a safe environment.
* Reporting any hazard you identify through the School's reporting processes.
* Reporting any injury sustained through the School's reporting processes within 24 hours.
Facilities
* Following emergency evacuation procedures if required.
* Following Safe Work Procedures, Standard Operating Procedures and Manual Handling Guidelines
appropriate to your duties.
* Undertaking WHS training as deemed relevant.
SKILLS ESSENTIAL TO THE JOB
* Minimum two years post qualified experience working with a broad range of garden situations, for native
and exotics, both formal and informal.
* Experience with relevant tools and associated machinery.
* Proven knowledge of plant cultural knowledge, plant requirements and suitability for different garden
aspects and conditions.
* AQF2 Spraying Licence.
ESSENTIAL PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
* Exceptional personal standards of honesty, integrity and professionalism.
* Team Player.
* Strong service orientation with the ability to foster a strong service culture.
* Strong motivation.
ACCOUNTABILITY
General
Breaches to a staff member's responsibilities and/or authority will be managed through the School's
Annual Performance Review and/or Disciplinary Process. This defined accountability is underpinned by
the Barker College Staff Code of Professional Practice and Performance Management processes.
Work Health and Safety
All staff members will be held accountable for their actions and omissions where it affects their own or
another person's workplace safety.
SPECIAL CONDITIONS
* This is a full-time position. The usual hours of operation of the Department are 6.45 am to 3.15 pm.
* Some weekend work or extended hours may be required for special events or spraying activities that
cannot be performed through the normal working week.
* The position attracts 4 weeks' annual leave each year.
* There will be one RDO per month.
* Approved overtime will be available or extra time can be taken as time-in-lieu.
Facilities
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED
Tertiary/T.A.F.E (Minimum) Certificate 2 (Horticulture and Parks & Gardens)
Licences (Preferred) SMART Train Chemical Application
Senior First Aid
Driver's Licence
ORGANISATION CHART RELATIVE TO POSITION
The Supervisor's Supervisor: Clerk of Works
The Immediate Supervisor: Team Leader Grounds & Gardens
This position: Gardener
APPROVAL
This position description accurately details the primary duties and responsibilities of the Gardener.
Approved by the Team Leader Grounds & Gardens on 13 January 2026.