Head Gardener

Gardener | Blue Care | Argyle Gardens Retirement Village | Bundaberg

• Employment term: Permanent Full Time

• Location: Bundaberg

• Remuneration: $33.73 p/hr + 12% Super + Not for Profit Salary Packaging Benefits + access to staff discounts

Make a meaningful difference with BlueCare

We’re looking for someone who wants to make the world a little better through small moments that leave big impacts. To build meaningful relationships and make a difference in the lives of others. 

An integral part of our big-hearted BlueCare team, as a Head Gardener, you’ll be encouraged to grow, develop and feel empowered to make the everyday easier for the people we care so passionately about. 

Let’s make a meaningful difference, together.

Your part in the Blue Care Team

Our dynamic retirement livings team at Argyle Gardens Retirement Village in Bundaberg is looking for an experienced Head Gardener to lead a grounds and gardening team.

Blue Care operate over 32 retirement villages across Queensland, with more than 3,300 residents choosing to make a Blue Care communities their home. 

Reporting to the Senior Village Manager, the role will see your commitment in providing a resident focused service and a ‘sense of place’ in the village.  You will be responsible in leading a team in the maintenance of plant and equipment, undertake minor property work and contribute to a safe and pleasing environment for residents, staff and visitors.  Your responsibilities will include:

• Work in collaboration with the Village Management team to achieve positive outcomes for residents by supporting their maintenance needs and maintaining a safe environment

• Foster a professional working relations with village residents and team members.

• Lead and coach grounds staff and ensure a customer focus and operational excellence.

• Manage team members changes and turnover in line with Human Resources principles and procedures.

• Supervise external contractors and suppliers where required.

• Ensure maintenance of lawns, gardens and grounds as required in and in accordance with Village ‘Sense of Place’ philosophy and Resident Committee standards.

• Grounds/gardens maintenance program is developed and delivered within allocated budget

• Undertake care of lawns including but not limited to mowing whipper snipping, and removal of cut grass

• Maintain and arrange for service of all equipment such as mowers, brush cutters, buggy’s, irrigation systems, tools etc as required

• Ensure order and purchase of suppliers, equipment and contract work according to budget and procedure

• Proactively manage health and safety, by identifying risks and actioning remedies

• Actively seeking continuous improvement of village health and safety outcomes

What makes a difference for us?

• Relevant Certificates/Diplomas and/or experience relevant to the position

• Demonstrated experience in the care and maintenance of large gardens including lawns, trees and shrubs

• Demonstrated experience in the maintenance and repair of a wide range of buildings, plant and equipment and associated systems

• Demonstrated ability to safely and effectively utilise and also maintain plant and equipment associated with the delivery of gardens and grounds services

• Experience in leading a multidisciplinary team, and exceptional organisation skills

• Current Queensland Drivers Licence, where applicable

• Current First Aid Certificate and CPR Certificate or willingness to obtain

• All staff must satisfy the relevant probity checks required by legislation or organisation policies

Employee Benefits:  

• Save tax and increase your take home pay by salary packaging your everyday living expenses and bills (up to $15,900) and meal entertainment (up to $2,650) per annum 

• A recognition and rewards platform, providing employee discounts at hundreds of retailers, including everyday expenses, holidays, health insurance, annual awards celebration, wellbeing and employee assistance programs  

• 12 weeks paid parental leave and 2 weeks paid partner leave, available after 6 months service, in addition to the government scheme  

• Diversity and inclusive leave, offering paid gender affirmation leave and cultural leave options (paid and unpaid) for those who may celebrate Lunar New Year, Diwali, Ramadan, NAIDOC weeks and other significant cultural events 

• Career development opportunities with one of the most trusted community and residential care providers in Australia to challenge yourself, grow and make a meaningful difference   

BlueCare is proudly part of the UnitingCare Family, we’d love you to be too

Joining the state’s largest network of aged care workers with its over 8,000 strong, bright team in blue, you’ll also be welcomed as part of the UnitingCare family. With more than 16,500 staff and 9,000 volunteers across our brands of BlueCare, Lifeline, ARRCS, The Wesley Hospital, Buderim Private Hospital, St Stephen’s Hospital, and St Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital, you are part of something bigger. Our team are compassionate, inclusive and committed to the work we do, helping people live life in all its fullness.

Child safe, Child friendly  

UnitingCare is committed to being a Child Safe, Child Friendly organisation and will:  

• Provide welcoming, safe & nurturing services for children  

• Implement measures to prevent child abuse and neglect within our services

• Appropriately and immediately address child abuse and neglect if it does occur  

• Abide by the Child Safe Standards and adhere to the Reportable Conduct Scheme  

Diversity & Inclusion  

Our approach is simple –everybody is welcome here.  At UnitingCare, diversity is at the core of our who we are, our mission and our values. We are committed to providing equal opportunities to all employees no matter their sex, race, culture, sexual orientation, disability or gender identity. Demonstrating our commitment to reconciliation and building long-term employment opportunities for First Nations peoples, UnitingCare strongly encourages Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants for this position. For additional support and to meet our RAP Team, email [email protected]

Safe workplace  

We work hard to make our services welcoming and safe for every person. We are united in keeping children, young people and the elderly safe from harm, within our services, workplaces and the communities we support. We are committed to speaking up loudly for their safety.

Commitment to Safeguarding

We are committed in creating services and workplaces that are welcoming and safe for every person. We work together to protect children, young people, adults and the elderly from harm within our services and the communities we support. We speak up for their safety to ensure their voices are heard. Our recruitment and workplace practices reflect our dedication in preventing abuse, harm and exploitation across UnitingCare.