Wollongong, New South Wales
Full-time
Leading Hand Landscape (Urban Greening)
At Wollongong City Council, we continuously strive to create an Extraordinary Wollongong for our community. We focus on the delivery of exceptional services, infrastructure and facilities for our community. Our aim is to work toward the community's goals in the Our Wollongong Our Future Community Strategic Plan 2035.
The Opportunity
Play a hands‐on role in shaping Wollongong's urban landscape while working outdoors, independently, and as part of a small, close‐knit team. As a Leading Hand – Urban Greening, you'll coordinate street tree planting and maintenance works across the LGA, helping deliver Council's long‐term sustainability and canopy growth programs. You lead a small team, collaborate closely with arborists, parks teams and internal stakeholders, while also engaging with the community on a daily basis. This role suits someone who enjoys practical work, values safety, and takes pride in leaving public spaces better than they found them. As a Leading Hand, you will lead your crew, manage your day, make sound decisions on site, and be the go‐to contact for residents when works are underway.
This is a permanent, full‐time, on‐site position. The role is physically active and involves outdoor work in public spaces. Some overtime or weekend work may be required to meet operational needs. Salary from $85,916.92 up to $96,259.86 (Salary package will be assessed based on skills, experience and qualifications). A minimum increase of 3.25% to the salary from 1 July 2026 in accordance with Council's Enterprise Agreement.
What You Will Be Doing
* Coordinate and carry out street tree planting, replacement and maintenance works across the Wollongong LGA
* Lead day‐to‐day activities of a small two‐person crew, ensuring work is completed safely and to standard
* Select suitable plant species based on location, environmental conditions and site constraints
* Plan and organise daily work schedules, resources, materials and plant
* Apply strong Work Health & Safety practices when working in public and roadside environments
* Ensure compliance with environmental legislation and public safety obligations
* Work closely with arborists and other Council teams to support coordinated outcomes
* Engage respectfully with residents and stakeholders, responding to enquiries and explaining planned works
* Complete routine operational reporting, job records and safety documentation
About You
You enjoy working outdoors and bring a practical, solutions‐focused approach to your work. With experience in horticulture, landscaping, parks or garden maintenance, you're confident identifying plants, understanding site conditions, and delivering quality outcomes in public spaces. As a Leading Hand, you bring experience coordinating and managing day‐to‐day activities and people, supported by strong safety awareness and a genuine commitment to environmental responsibility. You work comfortably and independently, organise your day effectively, and make sound decisions on site, while communicating clearly and respectfully with the community and your team.
You Bring
* Certificate III in Horticulture (or equivalent)
* Experience in parks, gardens, landscaping or urban greening operations
* Strong plant knowledge and an understanding of environmental considerations
* A safety‐first approach, particularly when working in public environments
* Confidence engaging with residents, staff and stakeholders
* Current Class C Driver Licence
* Traffic Control Using a Stop/Slow Baton – Level 1
* Traffic Control Worksite Planning – Level 3 (or willingness to obtain)
* WHS General Construction Induction (White Card)
* Physical capability to perform hands‐on outdoor work
Why you'll love working at Wollongong City Council
* True work‐life balance – hybrid work options, flex‐time, and rostered days off keep you balanced while delivering great outcomes.
* Great working conditions – a 35‐hour work week or a 9‐day fortnight with a regular rostered day off (RDO).
* Career growth and recognition – award and recognition programs, corporate learning opportunities, study assistance, and leadership development to help you grow.
* Generous leave provisions – five weeks of annual leave per year (pro rata) and long‐service leave after five years.
* Health, safety and wellbeing – a safe workplace, mental and physical wellbeing programs, Employee Assistance Program, skin and hearing checks, and discounted gym memberships.
* A vibrant social culture – monthly Social Club activities, an annual trivia night, and Christmas events.
Applications close 11:59pm, Monday 4 May 2026.
Equality and Diversity
We invite everyone to apply no matter your identity, you'll be welcome. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people who are culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD), people with disability and veterans.
Child Safety
Wollongong Council adheres to the principles of a child safe organisation and is committed to the care and protection of all children and young people in the community.
Employment Screening
Applicants are required to undergo a rigorous employment screening process which will include Reference, Identity and Medical History Checks, and may also include a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check and Working with Children Check. Employment is subject to clearance of all these checks.
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