Plant Operator Parks & Gardens

• Based in Kuranda, work in the great outdoors across a 9 day fortnight
• Join a dedicated team responsible for maintaining the presentation of Mareeba Shire's open spaces
• Mowing, brush cutting and weeding are all in a days work
• Operate and maintain a range of machinery and equipment in a safe and efficient manner

About Mareeba Shire Council

Located in beautiful Far North Queensland where the rainforest meets the Outback, the Mareeba Shire provides an idyllic, regional lifestyle with the convenience of being only an hour from an international airport, cafes, restaurants, theatres and tropical beaches in the regional city of Cairns.

Mareeba Shire Council is a high-performing, community-focussed organisation with over 200 dedicated staff. Our recent budget was praised in the media for its considered and sensible approach, demonstrating our commitment to financial responsibility and community investment. This is a unique opportunity to join a well-regarded council making a real impact across the region.

The role

As a Plant Operator Parks & Gardens, you will undertake a variety of duties to assist in the presentation and maintenance of Council's open spaces. Your days will be spent outdoors completing many tasks from brush cutting and mowing, to weeding, fertilising, irrigating and picking up litter. You will operate and complete general maintenance on Council's plant, equipment and other machinery safely and provide other support to the workgroup to keep our parks and gardens across the Mareeba Shire looking their best. This position is based in Kuranda, however is required to work across all locations within the Mareeba Shire.

The position requires physically demanding work to be undertaken in a hot and humid climate on a daily basis. As such it is the responsibility of the Plant Operator Parks & Gardens to ensure they are physically fit and able to efficiently and consistently undertake these tasks. This includes a requirement to maintain their weight at or below the Safe Working Load (SWL) for the seat of the machinery and equipment the position is required to operate.

What we are looking for

You will be able to work as part of a team in an outdoor environment and have solid communication skills, both written and verbal. You will:

• Be able to safely operate Council owned plant such as mowers, brush cutters and chainsaws
• Have the ability to perform general maintenance on machinery
• Be able to demonstrate your knowledge and experience in horticulture
• Hold a current Queensland C Class driver's licence and current Queensland General Construction Induction Card
• Be physically fit to undertake manual handling and labouring tasks in hot and humid conditions

Applicants local to the Kuranda area are encouraged to apply.

You will be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, Australian permanent resident or have unrestricted work rights in Australia. Mareeba Shire Council does not offer employer visa sponsorship.

What we can offer you

• Permanent, full-time position
• LGEA Level 4 - $61,019 per annum
• Mareeba Allowance of $2,080 per annum
• 12% employer superannuation contributions
• 5 weeks annual leave with 17.5% leave loading
• Work life balance - 9 day fortnight
• Lifestyle benefits such as access to Fitness Passport, discounted health insurance, gift cards and corporate banking
• Learning and development opportunities
• Salary sacrificing options

For further information

Please refer to the Position Description, or contact James Haynes, Ganger Parks & Gardens, on 04•• ••• 421 (during business hours only).

How to apply

Click the Apply Now button to begin your application. Applications must contain your current resume and a short cover letter (Word or PDF files only). Please note, your resume and cover letter may be considered examples of your written communication skills.

We review applications as they are received to ensure we secure the best talent for our organisation. In some cases, interviews may be scheduled and roles filled before the advertised closing date. We therefore strongly encourage applicants to submit their applications as early as possible after a position is advertised.

Please note, Mareeba Shire Council does not offer visa sponsorship and you must be either an Australian or New Zealand citizen, Australian permanent resident or have unrestricted work rights in Australia to be considered for this position.

Applications close Wednesday, 24 June 2026

Mareeba Shire Council is committed to the principles of Equal Opportunity and workplace diversity. We encourage a diverse workforce reflective of our community to better meet the needs of our customers.