Parliamentary Gardener

Job Details

Job Title: Parliamentary Gardener

Employment Type: Ongoing

Classification: Parliamentary Service Level 1/2/3

Closing Date: 11:30pm AEDT, 11 April 2025 

Contact: Brock Weston, 0409662442, brock.weston@aph.gov.au

The Opportunity

The Department of Parliamentary Services (DPS) is recruiting for a Parliamentary Service Level 1/2/3 Parliamentary Gardener within Property Services Branch. 

Landscape Services at Parliament House are looking for a motivated garden and turf enthusiast to join our landscape team. 

Landscape Services are responsible for the maintenance and care of 23 hectares of gardens including native and exotic plants, formal and semi formal gardens and large expanses of turf. We also care for the gardens of The Lodge as well as the courtyards of MOAD (The Museum of Australian Democracy) at Old Parliament House.

Who we are looking for

We are seeking a reliable and passionate individual with demonstratable experience and qualifications in either Turf Management or Horticulture. The successful applicant will work within our team and apply their skills and knowledge in assisting with the daily maintenance of a large and diverse landscape. We take a best practise approach to our work and are industry leaders in Integrated Pest Management. Daily activities include mowing, weed control, nutrition and pesticide applications.

Job Specific Requirements: 

• The successful applicant will be required to have a current ACT Drivers Licence
• The successful applicant will be required to obtain and maintain a Baseline security clearance.
• Successful applicants that hold a Certificate 3 or higher in Horticulture, Greenkeeping or Arboriculture will commence at the PSL2 classification. 

At DPS, we are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace that ensures all our people can contribute to our shared purpose. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, people with caring responsibilities, people who identify as LGBTQIA+, people from cultural and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people who identify as neurodivergent, and mature aged people.

Duty Statement

Classification: Parliamentary Service Level 1/2/3 

Branch: Property Services Branch 

Section: Maintenance Services 

Immediate supervisor: Landscape services Manager 

Under limited/general direction undertake duties in accordance with the agreed standards for the Parliamentary Service Level 1/2/3 classification. The duties will include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Under direction, undertake technical turf maintenance and gardening work in all horticultural areas including pruning, fertilizing and weed management.

2. Use/apply chemicals and calibrate spray equipment relative to the horticulture/turf industry.

3. Effectively utilise irrigation systems including the repair and maintenance.

4. Undertake plant management practices including plant culture and pest and disease identification.

5. Maintain a high standard of safety in operational areas, completing Safe Work Procedures and following WHS and DPS guidelines and legislation.

Employees of DPS are required to be able, and to be seen to be able, to provide professional advice and services to all Senators and Members without favour or prejudice.

How to apply

Please upload a pitch (750 words maximum) describing how your skills and experience would contribute to the role and work of the department. 

Your pitch is an opportunity to tell us why you want to work at DPS, why you are interested in the role and what you can offer in the role. Frame your pitch around the role description and relevant ILS Profile. Make sure to use relevant examples and accomplishments that demonstrate your ability to perform the role. 

For additional guidance when crafting you application, please refer to the the DPS Recruitment Candidate Information Pack, which provides helpful tips on how to structure your pitch and highlight your most relevant skills and experience effectively.

Our purpose and values

We proudly provide innovative, unified, and client-focused services to the Australian Parliament and parliamentarians. We are a values driven department, placing our values at the heart of everything we do; from our service offerings and decision making to our interactions with stakeholders and each other.  

Our people are employed in a broad and unique range of professional, customer service and trade-based roles, all joined by a shared purpose: to make an enduring contribution to Australia’s parliamentary democracy. We have an inclusive workplace that reflects the diversity of the community we serve. While we come from all walks of life, we share a commitment to care for and protect our iconic workplace. 

Every year, almost one million people visit Australian Parliament House to experience the parliamentary process, the building’s architecture, nationally significant art collections, events, tours, and food and dining experiences – all made possible by our people, who are active participants in an environment where no two days are the same.

What we can offer

Join our community based on innovative, unified, and client-focused services, where your skills and development will be nurtured. You will also enjoy:  

•    access to flexible work arrangements 
•    ongoing opportunities to learn and develop new capabilities 
•    a competitive remuneration package
•    free secure underground parking
•    free gym membership and access to recreational facilities
•    on-site childcare, banking services, post office, value-for-money dining options and more.

Salary

Currently, the salary range for this position is $63,736 - $79,091 per annum.

Conditions of Employment

Employment opportunities at Department of Parliamentary Services are subject to a range of conditions prescribed in the Parliamentary Service Act 1999 which include:

•    Australian citizenship – to be eligible for employment with DPS, applicants must be an Australian Citizen. 

•    Security clearance and character clearance – the preferred applicant will be required to obtain and maintain a security clearance at the level specified, as well as complete and be deemed suitable through a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check. 

•    Health assessment – a pre-employment health assessment will be required where there are physical or medical requirements for the role.