Operator - Horticulture

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Operator - Horticulture at Tauranga City Council is a full-time onsite role combining hands-on gardening with public engagement. It’s physically demanding, so fitness and a genuine love of horticulture are essential, as you’ll be in the public eye. You’ll maintain splitter islands, CBD gardens, Reserve gardens (Yatton, Robbins, Kulim Parks) and roadside plantings such as Cameron Road, using weed eaters, leaf blowers and hedge trimmers. Hours are 7am to 3:30pm, Monday to Friday, 40 hours. Essentials: honesty, gardening experience, ability to use agrichemicals, a clean NZ driver’s licence, and strong communication. Qualifications like L3 Horticulture or Growsafe are a bonus; apply online with your TCC account before Monday 3 August; pre-employment medical and drug/alcohol screen apply. Diversity is valued and adjustments can be arranged.

Tau ake rā te moana nei, e papaki kau ana ki te ākau tangata, kakenga waka ka mauru te tohu ki te arearenga o Mauao, he pou herenga mōu, he pou hononga mōu, kia herea ki te tika, kia herea ki te pono. Kia mau, kia ita, kia ū – haumi e, hui e, tāiki e!

Te Tūranga | About the role

Our type of gardening is physically demanding so you’ll need to be fit and healthy to be successful in this team. You’ll also need to be passionate about horticulture and the community. Our gardeners spend a lot of time in the public eye so you’ll need to have a friendly and approachable manner.

Ideally you’ll have knowledge of pest plants, know an exotic plant from a native, be experienced in using a weed eater, leaf blower and hedge trimmer.

You’ll be maintaining areas such as: splitter islands in residential areas, CBD gardens and plant boxes, Reserve gardens such as Yatton Park, Robbins Park and Kulim Park also roadside gardens like Cameron Road.

Hours: 7am to 3.30pm Monday to Friday, 40 hours per week.

Ngā Pukenga | What you’ll need to succeed

• Honesty and integrity
• Relevant experience in gardening, horticulture is ideal
• Comfortable using Agrichemicals
• Relevant qualifications are a bonus! Like the L3 in Horticulture, Growsafe or Traffic Management TTM/ TMO
• Tech savvy on a mobile phone with the ability to learn new apps and systems
• Exceptional communication skills including the ability to engage and build relationships with people from all backgrounds
• A track record of being reliable and a team player
• A positive attitude and a willingness to listen and learn
• A full clean NZ drivers licence

Te Tukanga | How to apply

If you’d like to be part of our City Operations team, apply today.

To submit your application, please ensure you use your TCC account and apply online, as we are unable to accept applications via email.

Applications will close Monday 3rd August

We’re committed to building a diverse team that reflects the communities we serve. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including those living with disabilities.
If you need any support or adjustments to take part in our recruitment process, please contact our Talent Acquisition team at [email protected]

• You must have the legal right to live and work in New Zealand to apply for this role, we are unable to provide sponsorship for these roles.
• As part of Tauranga City Councils commitment to health, safety and wellbeing, the successful candidate will need to pass a pre-employment medical and drug & alcohol screen.
• Tauranga City Council does not accept unsolicited contact or applications from recruitment agencies. We will not pay fees or commissions related to unsolicited contact.

Job Description: Operator - Horticulture