Turf Care Operator

JobsCloseBy Editorial Insights

Rotorua Lakes Council is hiring a Turf Care Operator to join the Community Experience team and keep parks, sports fields and reserves well maintained, safe and inviting. You will mow line mark aerate repair turf and fertilise fields, prepare spaces for events, monitor turf health and support general park maintenance such as weeding pruning and planting, and maintain park furniture signage and amenities. You will operate ride-on mowers tractors and trimmers and report on equipment condition. Health and safety are central; strong customer service and teamwork matter as you represent the council. Bring practical turf care experience a current driver’s licence and competence with turf equipment endorsements and horticultural knowledge are a bonus. We value Te Arawa partnership apply now after viewing the position description.

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Rotorua Lakes Council - Where nature meets innovation
Are you ready to combine the best of both worlds? Rotorua Lakes Council offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity to work in a place where nature's beauty intersects with innovation. Enjoy the convenience of lakeside living and the thrill of mountain biking while contributing to groundbreaking projects like the Sir Howard Morrison Centre, Aquatic Centre Revitalisation, and Rotorua Lakefront Redevelopment. Immerse yourself in our rich bicultural heritage and collaborate with Te Arawa, our local iwi, all while being part of a council that's dedicated to culture, people, and connections.

Toitū te marae o Tāne, Toitū te marae o Tangaroa, ka toitū hoki te marae o te tangata! When the domain of the forests and the waters endure, so will humankind!


Rotorua Lakes Council is seeking a motivated Turf Care Operator to join our Community Experience team. This role plays a vital part in ensuring the parks, sports fields, and reserves across our district are well-maintained, safe, and inviting for everyone to enjoy. Working within the Reserve Mowing team, you will take pride in presenting our green spaces to the highest standard and helping to create vibrant spaces for community life.


As Turf Care Operator, you will carry out mowing, line marking, aeration, turf repairs, and fertilising of sports fields and recreational areas. You will prepare fields for sporting and community events, monitor turf health, and support a range of park maintenance tasks such as weeding, pruning, and planting. You will also maintain park furniture, signage, and amenities, ensuring all work meets council’s service levels and safety standards. Operating machinery such as ride-on mowers, tractors, and trimmers will be a regular part of your work, along with maintaining and reporting on equipment condition.


Health and safety are central to this role. We are looking for someone who takes responsibility for working safely, uses appropriate PPE, and promptly reports any hazards or incidents. Excellent customer service and teamwork are also key, as you’ll be representing the council out in the community and working collaboratively with colleagues to achieve shared goals.


To thrive in this position, you’ll bring practical experience in turf care, sports field preparation, or grounds maintenance—ideally within a council or public sector environment. You’ll have a current driver’s licence and proven competence operating turf care and mowing equipment. Endorsements for machinery operation would be an advantage, as would knowledge of tractor mowing and sports renovation attachments. A solid understanding of horticultural practices and a strong sense of reliability and time management will help you succeed.


At Rotorua Lakes Council, we believe in empowering our people to create value and make a positive difference—both in their work and in the community. Our values guide everything we do: we work together as one team, respect and support each other, and aim to deliver services that allow our community to thrive. We are respectful, helpful, engaging, inspiring, innovative, and committed to a bicultural approach that honours Te Ao Māori.


If you’re enthusiastic about the outdoors, enjoy hands-on work, and take pride in creating great public spaces, we’d love to hear from you. Join a team that’s passionate about keeping Rotorua green, beautiful, and ready for play.


Click this link to view the position description for this role


Te Kaunihera o nga Roto o Rotorua (Rotorua Lakes Council) is committed to working in partnership with Te Arawa, our local iwi. We aspire to being a bicultural organisation and we value staff who speak te reo Maori, have an appreciation of Maori values, and a working knowledge of tikanga Maori.

Sound like you? Click the Apply button now!