Gardener (Palmetum Botanical Gardens)

Council Jobs

Other  

Date posted: January 22, 2026

Closes: Feb 21, 2026


  • Permanent Full
    Time opportunity available (9 day fortnight, 38
    hours/week) 
  • Certificate III
    in Arboriculture and/or Certificate III in Horticulture
    (Mandatory)
  • LGE 4
    ($66,475 per annum +
    superannuation)

Why Choose
Us

Townsville City
Council is the largest local government authority in Northern
Australia. We are committed to creating value by growing Townsville
through driving economic diversity and generating an enriching
lifestyle.

Our organisation
provides and maintains close to $9 billion worth of community
assets including water and wastewater network and treatment plants,
bridges, drainage, roads, waste management, community facilities,
sporting venues and more.

We contribute to an
active lifestyle for our residents and visitors through events,
providing recreational facilities, protecting the natural
environment and heritage, while creating a mentally and physically
healthy city.

We are driving
economic diversity and cultivating an enriching lifestyle, growing
a city for this and future generations by building a vibrant,
sustainable and innovative city.

Council’s
vision is for Townsville to be a connected, lifestyle driven and
innovation focused city while continuing to deliver service
excellence and to be led by our community to create an exciting
today and future.

Our
Vision: A globally connected community driven by lifestyle
and nature.

Our
Purpose: Grow Townsville

Our
Values: Safety, Excellence, Respect, Value,
Enjoyment

About the
Role

The
Construction Maintenance and Operations Section provides delivery
of maintenance activities related to Townsville's existing public
infrastructure within roads and transport, stormwater and drainage,
coastal, open spaces, community and culture (cemeteries). These
areas provide a range of services including recreational activities
for both residents and visitors across the Townsville
Region.

This
role works specifically in the Palmetum Botanical Gardens, so the
role requires an extensive knowledge of plant species and a working
knowledge of working in a botanical garden.

You
will need to be vaccinated for working around flying foxes
(lyssavirus vaccine) or willing to obtain as this will be a
requirement to work in Palmetum Gardens.

About
You:

Our
ideal candidate will have:

  • Sound knowledge
    of landscaping practices applicable to parks and gardens and a
    botanical gardens environment
  • Sound knowledge
    of (but not limited to): pruning, tree and shrub removal, use
    of pesticides, treatment of plant pests, diseases, disorders
    and nutritional problems, shrubs, turf, trees species and
    irrigation systems
  • Undertake
    activities in relation to garden and botanical environments
    including pruning, mowing, litter collection, etc
  • Knowledge of
    Cacti and Succulent plants
  • Working well
    within a small work group
  • Undertake
    necessary plantings within garden environments as
    directed
  • Liaise with
    Horticulture/Arboriculture Officers and Nursery Team in
    relation to activities in the parks and gardens environments as
    necessary
  • Assist with
    training horticulture trainees/apprentices

Qualifications you
require are as follows:

  • Certificate III
    in Arboriculture and/or Certificate III in Horticulture
    (Mandatory)
  • Accredited
    Chainsaw Ticket (Level 2)
  • Agricultural
    Chemical Distribution Certificate (ACDC)
  • Current "C"
    class manual driver’s licence (essential)

How to
Apply

Your
application can be submitted through the 'Apply' button. Please
include a cover letter (maximum 2 pages), outlining how your
skills, qualifications and experience would allow you to achieve
success in this role. We also will require your resume and attached
copies of any licences and qualifications as per the key
requirements of the role.

If
you wish to discuss this position further, please contact Chris
(Senior Team Leader) on ***@townsville.qld.gov.au 

For further
information review the Position
Description. 

Closing
Date:  11.45pm, Tuesday 27 January 2026

What We Offer

  • 17.5% annual
    leave loading 
  • Up to 5 weeks
    annual leave
  • Up to 3 weeks
    Personal/Carers Leave
  • 14 weeks paid
    Parental Leave
  • Domestic and
    Family Violence Leave
  • Natural
    Disaster Leave
  • Up to *13.5%
    Superannuation employer contribution for contributing
    members
  • Salary
    Sacrifice opportunities
  • Learning and
    Development opportunities
  • Fitness
    Passport program offering discounted membership to selected
    gym, pool, and yoga facilities
  • Employee
    Loyalty Program offering discounts at selected local
    businesses
  • Employee
    Assistance Program

* The Council
contribution to employees' superannuation for contributing
employees shall be 13.5% of the employees' ordinary time earnings
subject to the employee contributing a minimum of 6% of their
ordinary time earnings.

We are
committed to creating a safe and inclusive workplace where diverse
styles, backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are valued,
encouraged, and respected. People from diverse backgrounds
(including but not limited to, Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander, people with diverse gender identities and sexualities,
people from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds, people
with disability, and veterans) are encouraged to
apply!

All successful
candidates are required to undergo drug and alcohol testing as part
of the recruitment process. Please be aware Townsville City Council
has a ‘zero tolerance’ policy to drugs and alcohol in
the workplace.

If you need any
adjustments to be made to the recruitment process or if you would
like to discuss any accessibility requirements, please
contact **************@townsville.qld.gov.au
or phone 07 4727 9*** for a confidential
discussion.

Attachments:
- Gardener_PD.pdf

Apply for this role

Your favourite towns and regions

Save your favourite towns and regions here and send them to yourself or share it with friends and family.