Salary Range: $71,647 - $83,265 per annum + superannuation
Warrumbungle Shire Council is on the lookout for experienced Grader Operators who take pride in their work and enjoy being part of a solid crew. If you’ve got a background in civil construction and maintenance and like seeing the results of a good day’s work out on the road, this could be a great fit.
You’ll be joining a well-functioning team that looks out for each other, works hard, and takes real pride in delivering quality roads for the community. It’s a crew that gets in, gets the job done properly, and supports one another along the way.
In this role, you won’t just be operating a grader — you’ll also take the lead within your crew. You’ll play an important part in guiding day-to-day activities on site, helping keep the team on track, and making sure work is completed safely and to a high standard.
Day to day, you’ll be out operating graders and other plant, shaping and maintaining roads, shoulders, and drainage across Warrumbungle Shire. You’ll oversee work within your crew, lead toolbox talks and risk assessments, and make sure everyone’s working safely and efficiently. You’ll also keep an eye on plant condition, coordinate with supervisors and other operators, assist with traffic management, and keep accurate records of the work completed. This is an exciting opportunity to operate graders and other machinery while contributing to the maintenance and improvement of our local infrastructure!
We’re looking for someone who knows their way around a grader and can deliver work to line and level, with a solid understanding of materials, compaction, and reading plans. Just as important, you’re someone who communicates well, steps up to lead when needed, and works well as part of a team.
You’ll need a current WHS Construction Induction Certificate (White Card) and a Class C NSW Driver’s Licence. It’d be a bonus if you’ve got a Traffic Control ticket, Certificate III in Civil Construction, or an HR licence.
Please click here to view the position description - Coolah.
Please click here to view the position description - Coonabarabran.
Click here to view a video about the role
We have a position in both Coolah and Coonabarabran. Coolah is a picturesque country town nestled at the gateway to the Coolah Tops National Park, offering a blend of natural beauty, rich heritage, and genuine community warmth. Known for its friendly locals, vibrant main street, and strong agricultural roots, Coolah provides a relaxed and fulfilling lifestyle with all the essential services, quality schools, and sporting facilities close at hand. With affordable living, stunning landscapes, and a close-knit community, Coolah is an ideal place to build a rewarding career and enjoy the benefits of regional living.
Coonabarabran, known as the Astronomy Capital of Australia, is midway between Melbourne and Brisbane and is known for its beautiful landscape and stunning night skies. The town has medical services, excellent schools, a variety of sporting and social clubs and a thriving tourism Industry. With the nearby Warrumbungle National Park, which is also Australia’s first Dark Sky Park, there is plenty to do and explore whether you’re looking for adventure or relaxation.
Selection criteria include:
- Demonstrated commitment to work health and safety (WHS) in the workplace
- Significant experience operating grader and demonstrated ability to construct roads to line and level including associated shoulder and drainage works
- Demonstrated knowledge regarding material performance, compaction and plan reading including horizontal and vertical dimensions and establishing sections for materials estimating
- Grader operation verification of competency or ability to demonstrate competency during recruitment process
- Leadership skills - experience in this area would be great
- Good oral and written literacy and numeracy skills - you need to be able to complete documentation to required standard, communicate effectively within team and with other staff, contractors and members of public as necessary
- WHS Construction Induction Certificate (“whitecard”) valid in NSW
- Class C NSW Drivers Licence.
It's a plus if you have Traffic Controller tickets, an HR licence, Certificate III in Civil Construction (or similar), chainsaw tickets and the ability to operate other items of plant.
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
- 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.
How to apply
Please provide sufficient detail in your answers to the questions as this information is used to assess your suitability for interview.
- Scroll down and complete the fields below. Note: Fields marked with a red asterisk* are mandatory.
- Click ‘Next’
- Attach your resume, covering letter and copies of your qualifications
- Click ‘Next’
- Review your application and click ‘Confirm’ to submit your completed application
You will receive an email acknowledgement to confirm receipt of your application. You will receive email notifications regarding the status of your application. It is important that you regularly check your email to ensure you do not miss any notifications from Council. It is also recommended that you check your spam or junk folder and consider adding careers@warrumbungle.nsw.gov.au to your email address book to ensure you do not miss any correspondence in regard to your application.
Applications close at 11.00 pm Sunday 31 May 2026.
Interviews are expected to be held 10 June 2026. The final date will be confirmed with preferred candidates after applications have closed and shortlisting has been completed.
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.