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.