Parks and gardens keeper job description

Not always. Many roles are open to candidates with practical outdoor experience, and a Certificate II/III in Horticulture or turf management is advantageous rather than essential. A driver’s licence is typically required, and plant or chemical tickets may be needed depending on the equipment used. Focus the essential requirements on what the specific crew actually needs.

It depends on the duties. Common tickets include chemical/spraying (AQF3) for weed control, chainsaw tickets for tree work, and ride-on or plant operation competencies. Verify all tickets before a worker starts and keep records — HR software helps track expiries and prevents rostering staff with lapsed credentials.

Mandatory requirements usually include a valid driver’s licence, working rights in Australia and physical fitness for outdoor work. Preferred qualifications include a horticulture certificate, relevant plant or chemical tickets and a current first aid certificate. Avoid over-qualifying entry-level positions, as it narrows your candidate pool unnecessarily.

Yes. Many councils hire and train staff without prior parks experience, particularly for entry-level Level 1–2 roles. Focus on reliability, physical fitness, a clean driving record and a safety-first attitude. Clear job descriptions help candidates understand the physical, outdoor nature of the work and self-select appropriately.

This depends on your workload. Casual keepers offer flexibility for seasonal peaks and event support but attract a 25% casual loading under the Local Government Award. Permanent part-time or full-time staff provide crew continuity and stronger retention. Many councils use a mix — permanent staff for core crews and casuals for growing season and storm cleanup.

Under the Local Government Award (MA000112), for full-time and part-time staff Saturday is paid at 150%, Sunday at 175% and public holidays at 250%. Casual rates are higher again because the 25% loading is added to the penalty. Overtime applies for extra hours, and outdoor allowances may apply. Use award interpretation software to calculate rates accurately.

Under the Local Government Award, outdoor crews may be entitled to adverse-working-conditions allowances (from about $1.03/hr up to $14.73/hr for the worst conditions such as sewer/septic work), first aid (about $0.54/hr, max $20.62/week) and camping (about $33.87/night) for remote work. Confirm the current allowances and any enterprise-agreement terms that apply to your council.

Key elements include: position title and classification level, employment type (casual, part-time or full-time), hourly rate, applicable award or enterprise agreement, reporting structure, main duties, depot location and required licences or tickets. For casuals, include the 25% casual loading. Use our digital employment contracts to simplify this process.

Award and agreement rostering rules vary, so confirm the notice period that applies to your council. As a general practice, providing rosters at least 7 days in advance gives crews visibility of their work and sites. Using rostering software helps ensure compliance and reduces last-minute changes.

Assign crews based on scheduled works, seasonal programs and each worker’s tickets and availability, balancing site coverage with realistic travel time. Use rostering tools to manage on-call storm response and adjust allocations when staff are absent. This keeps maintenance schedules on track without overloading individual crews.

Break entitlements are set by the applicable award or enterprise agreement and generally include a meal break for shifts beyond a set length. Because crews work off-site, set clear break policies and ensure staff record their time accurately. Use time and attendance tools with GPS clock-in to support compliance.

Collect availability preferences during onboarding and update them regularly. Use HR software and rostering tools to track when each worker can work and any ticket or licence constraints. Set clear policies about minimum availability and how to request changes, which simplifies crew planning and on-call cover.