Parks and Gardens Technical Officer 

• Salary Range Band 6 $95,799 - $104,420 plus 11.5% Super.
• Full time, permanent position. 
• Located at South Melbourne Operations Centre with flexible working arrangements possible.

About the Organisation 

The City of Port Phillip is an inner-city council with around 1000 employees who deliver more than 100 programs and services to our residents, businesses and visitors. These range from childcare and immunisations, to libraries, management of parks and open space, rubbish collection, road maintenance and more. City of Port Phillip has zero tolerance for child abuse and is a committed Child Safe organisation. 

About the Role

Assist with the protection, enhancement and improvement of the amenity and biodiversity of Council’s parks, reserves, building surrounds, road, and streetscape green assets by ensuring management plans are adhered to, and maintenance and replanting programs are implemented.

Provision of technical advice and support to the Parks and Trees team and other departments across Council on the management of parks, reserves, horticulture, and native vegetation sites, building surrounds, and road and streetscape green assets. 

Ensure agreed service levels are delivered and performance targets are met, through monitoring and reporting on Contractor performance, and provision of professional and timely responses and communications to customer service queries.

Duties:

• Prepare management plans, routine maintenance programs and replanting programs, for all Council parks; reserves; horticultural and native vegetation sites; road and streetscape green asset sites; and Community and Childcare Centre surrounds; delivered by Open Space Maintenance contractors.
• Provide technical expertise and advice on parks, horticulture, environmental management and maintenance best practice, problem identification and resolution including the preparation of reports.
• Respond to requests – from internal and external customers – for all parks, horticulture, building surrounds, road and streetscape, and native vegetation sites and assets, resolve conflict and provide specialist guidance and work instructions to contractors.
• Carry out performance checks to ensure all Open Space Maintenance contractors comply with the contract requirements, undertake audits, and attend contract meetings.
• Ensure service levels are consistent with management plans, maintenance programs, replanting programs, and contract specifications, and keep clear documentation and records.
• Authorise works and process payments within delegation limits and carry out such duties as directed by the Coordinator Parks and Trees, within the limits of their skill, competence, and training.

Skills and Experience 

• A tertiary qualification suitable for the position with at least 5-years’ experience in the management of parks, horticultural and/or native vegetation sites, preferably in Local Government or substantial relevant experience. 
• Demonstrated experience implementing management plans and maintenance programs for parks, horticultural, road and streetscape, and native vegetation sites, with strong plant identification and problem resolution skills.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise, manage and report on contractor performance, understanding contract conditions, ensuring the intended outcomes of the service are delivered.
• Highly developed interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively communicate with internal and external customers.
• Experience and competency in providing high-level customer service and the ability to manage and resolve complex parks and horticulture related issues.
• Ability to meet timelines, work autonomously and in a team environment.

Culture 

People enjoy working at the City of Port Phillip because we are a welcoming, healthy and inclusive workplace.  We offer a vibrant and diverse work environment where our employees can develop both professionally and personally whilst planning and delivering a range of important services and programs to the community. 

Benefits

• We offer a workplace that accommodates your working style and needs. 
• Be supported and empowered by a leadership team that is community-focused, with a strong desire for change and a culture that encourages teamwork and innovation.
• Training and development opportunities, study assistance, flexible working conditions, paid parental leave, an active social club, a health and wellbeing program with access to fitness gyms, pools and facilities, and a well-regarded Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

Security Requirements and Professional Obligations   

Pre-employment screening will apply to all appointments.  

Prior to a formal letter of offer, preferred applicants will be asked to provide:

• Evidence of mandatory qualifications/registrations/licences,
• Sufficient proof of their right to work in Australia, and                                                       
• Sufficient proof of their identity. 
• Complete a National Police Check completed via City of Port Phillip’s Provider.
• Evidence of a Working with Children Check (employee type with City of Port Phillip registered as the organisation).  

How to Apply

Click APPLY.

All applicants must provide a Resume and Cover Letter in response to the key selection criteria located on the last page of the position description. The Cover Letter should be no longer than 2 pages and include each heading in the Key Selection Criteria.

Note: Only applications submitted via the online Recruitment Portal will be considered and only shortlisted candidates will be provided feedback.

Further information can be obtained by contacting Greg Mitchell, Coordinator Parks and Trees, via phone 03 9209 6218 or via email greg.mitchell@portphillip.vic.gov.au 

Applications close 11.59pm Sunday 12 January 2025. 

The City of Port Phillip is an equal opportunity employer, committed to an inclusive and accessible environment where diversity is valued. We actively welcome and encourage candidates from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, First Nation and Torres Strait Islander candidates, members of the LGBTQIA+ community and candidates with a disability.

If you have accessibility requirements or require an adjustment to participate in our recruitment and selection process, please contact Shane Turner (Recruitment Advisor) on phone 0421 757 521 or email: recruitment@portphillip.vic.gov.au