Salary Range: $59,109 - $68,694 pa + superannuation
Do you enjoy working outdoors? Have a passion for maintaining and enhancing your local community’s outdoor spaces?
As an Urban Services Operator, you will play a key role in maintaining and enhancing Council’s parks, gardens, streetscapes and recreational areas, ensuring they are safe, attractive, and functional for the public —helping to keep our town looking its best. Your work will have a visible and lasting impact on the look, function and enjoyment of public spaces used every day by the community.
In this hands-on role, you will carry out a wide range of maintenance activities including mowing, gardening, tree works, cleaning public amenities, maintaining ovals and playgrounds, street sweeping and minor repairs to infrastructure such as footpaths, signage and irrigation systems. You will operate and maintain a variety of plant and equipment, contribute to landscaping and revegetation projects, and support sustainable water and environmental management practices across Council’s open spaces. You’ll also be the go-to person for assisting the community, providing helpful information, and supporting local events by preparing outdoor spaces.
Safety and compliance are central to this role. You will follow WHS requirements, conduct daily safety and risk checks, use PPE correctly and ensure all works meet Council policies and environmental standards. Accurate record keeping, chemical use reporting and hazard identification are essential parts of maintaining safe, efficient and compliant operations.
This role suits a reliable, motivated person who enjoys teamwork, physical work and community interaction. You will be adaptable to changing priorities, willing to learn new skills and proud of delivering high-quality outcomes that improve community wellbeing and liveability. A valid driver’s license, White Card, willingness to obtain relevant certifications (such as chainsaw operation and chemical application), and willingness to participate in a roster for weekend overtime cleaning public toilets are essential.
If you enjoy varied outdoor work and making a positive difference locally, this is an excellent opportunity.
This position is located in Baradine, a welcoming rural town located on the edge of the beautiful Pilliga Forest offering a unique blend of natural wonder, rich Indigenous heritage, and strong community spirit. Known for its relaxed lifestyle and friendly atmosphere, Baradine provides essential services, local schools, and great opportunities for outdoor adventure, including bushwalking, birdwatching, and exploring the iconic Sculptures in the Scrub. With affordable living and a strong sense of connection among residents, Baradine is an ideal place to live and work for those seeking a quieter, nature-connected lifestyle in a supportive rural setting.
Selection criteria include:
- Experience in horticulture, landscaping, or parks and gardens maintenance.
- Understanding of plant care, soil management, and pest control.
- Competence in the use and maintenance of groundskeeping equipment, including ride-on mowers, brush cutters, and chainsaws.
- Knowledge of safe chemical handling and application (e.g., herbicides and fertilisers).
- Basic irrigation system operation and maintenance skills.
- Ability to read and interpret work plans, site layouts, and maintenance schedules.
- Current MR driver’s licence (with the ability to operate light trucks or utes with trailers).
- White Card (General Construction Induction Training).
- Hold current (or be willing to obtain)
- Traffic Controller and Implement Traffic Control tickets
- Chainsaw operation certification
- Chemical application accreditation
- Willingness to undertake ongoing training - there's lots to learn in this role!
- Willingness to participate in a roster for weekend overtime cleaning public toilets - this is essential
It is a bonus if you have completed Certificate III in Horticulture or Parks and Gardens.
Benefits of working for Council
Council is committed to creating a positive working environment and offer a range of benefits for staff, including
- Great leave opportunities
- Long service leave after 5 years
- 1 RDO every 2 weeks
- Paid parental and concurrent parental leave
- Carer’s leave
- 3 weeks sick leave per year including up to 2 days health and wellbeing leave each year
- Purchase additional leave or cash out leave
- Deferred leave scheme – eg work three years at 75% of your pay and have the following year off at 75% of your pay!
- Support for training and professional development
- Formal training opportunities
- Access to thousands of free online training courses
- Weekly pay cycle
- Mobile phone allowance available if you bring your own device
- Salary Packaging options to maximise your take-home pay
- Flexible hours by agreement and subject to role requirements
- Wellness – we want you to be at your best self so you and your immediate family members have access to our employee assistance program with TELUS Health One
- Free annual flu vaccinations and bi-annual skin cancer checks available
- PPE provided
About Warrumbungle Shire Council
Warrumbungle Shire is strategically positioned on the Newell Highway, a short drive from Tamworth, Mudgee and Dubbo, and just over 3 hours from Newcastle, making Warrumbungle Shire a great place to live and work. Covering an area of more than 12,000km², and with a population of nearly 10,000, Warrumbungle Shire Council is one of the larger Local Government Areas in Central West NSW, home to the townships of Coonabarabran, Coolah, Dunedoo, Binnaway, Baradine and Mendooran.
With a rich history and stunning landscapes including spectacular mountain ranges, waterfalls, ancient sandstone caves, gorges, and beautiful plains, our scenic location amongst friendly country communities provides an ideal setting for those looking to balance a country lifestyle and career.
At Warrumbungle Shire Council we offer a broad variety of jobs with a range of benefits and career development opportunities within Local Government. The guiding principles of honesty, integrity, fairness and compassion form the spirit of the team along with respect, transparency, passion, trust and opportunity is how Warrumbungle Shire Council strengthens its working environment to deliver on the aspirations of our community. Council is proud to be an equal opportunity and child safe employer with a commitment to our staff and our vision is Excellence in Local Government.
Applications close at 11.00 pm Monday 26 January 2026.
For enquiries, please contact Human Resources on 6849 2000.
Applicants should note that Criminal History Checks, as well as alcohol and drug testing, are conditions of employment.