Plant Operator - Parks & Open Space
At Wollongong City Council, we continuously strive to create an Extraordinary Wollongong for our community. We focus on the delivery of exceptional services, infrastructure and facilities for our community. Our aim is to work toward the community's goals in the Our Wollongong Our Future Community Strategic Plan 2035.
Wollongong is a great place to work, live and play! Together, our responsibility is to create an inclusive community where everyone is welcome, valued and belongs. Our strength is the diversity of our people.
We lead with courage, openness and curiosity and believe our employees are the key to our success. Learn more about us here
Step into a dynamic, hands-on outdoor role where your work makes a visible impact every day. As a Plant Operator within our Parks and Open Space team, you'll help care for parks and natural areas with a particular focus on some of the region's most valued beaches.
From operating and maintaining plant like tractors and backhoes, to rolling up your sleeves with general labouring and responding to changing weather conditions, you'll play a key role in keeping these environments safe, functional and looking their best. An interest or experience in horticulture, environmental or conservation work will assist working in these unique and environmentally sensitive locations.
This is a hands-on, outdoor role where no two days are the same, ranging from programmed maintenance works to responding to weather events along our coastline. Weekend work and overtime may be required from time to time to meet operational needs, particularly following significant weather events.
This is a permanent full-time position consisting of a 9-day fortnight, with a regular rostered day off. The standard working hours are 6:00am to 2:15pm. Salary from :$76507 up to $89353 per annum plus superannuation. (Salary package will be assessed based on skills, experience and qualifications)
What you will be doing
In this varied role, you will:
- Operate and maintain plant and equipment (including tractors, backhoes and excavators) to support the care and preservation of beaches, parks and natural areas
- Contribute to environmental and conservation outcomes through sand movement, vegetation management and litter control across open spaces
- Respond to weather events such as erosion and storm impacts, helping restore and protect coastal and natural environments
- Conduct daily plant checks and basic servicing to ensure equipment is safe, reliable and ready for use
- Assist with hands-on labouring tasks that contribute to environmental and conservation work, including loading, unloading and material handling
- Work within sensitive environments such as dunes and natural habitats, applying sustainable and environmentally responsible practices
- Complete essential documentation (timesheets, pre-starts and plant records) using tablets and digital systems
- Identify hazards and actively contribute to a strong safety culture on site
- Interact professionally with a range of stakeholders, including Council teams and members of the public, providing positive and respectful customer service
About you
You're a practical, team-oriented person who enjoys working outdoors and takes pride in caring for the environment. With solid plant operation experience and a strong commitment to safety, you're equally comfortable working independently or as part of a close-knit team.
You're also a people person, confident communicating respectfully with both colleagues and the community.
You will bring:
- A current C Class Driver's Licence
- Excavator and Backhoe competency/tickets
- Experience operating and maintaining plant (e.g. tractors, backhoes or similar)
- General labouring experience, ideally in horticultural or environmental settings
- Strong WHS awareness and safe work practices
- Physical capability for manual outdoor work
- Basic IT skills for documentation and reporting
- A proactive, adaptable approach in a dynamic, weather-dependent environment
- A genuine interest in conservation, natural areas or environmental management, along with a commitment to Council's values of Respect, Integrity, OneTeam, Sustainability and Courage.
You also hold or are willing to obtain within the first three months of employment:
- Traffic Controller L1
- WH&S General Construction Induction (White Card)
- Working Near Overhead Power lines
Why you'll love working at Wollongong City Council!
- True work-life balance
We know you work hard, and we make sure that effort is rewarded with real flexibility. Our hybrid work options, flex-time, and rostered days off mean you can maintain balance while delivering great outcomes. - Great working conditions
Enjoy a 9-day fortnight with a regular rostered day off (RDO). - Career growth and recognition
We are committed to supporting your personal and professional development. Our initiatives include a reward and recognition program, corporate learning opportunities, study assistance, and leadership development programs to help you grow and succeed.
- Generous leave provisions
Benefit from five weeks of annual leave per year (pro rata) and access long service leave after just five years. - Health, safety, and wellbeing
We prioritise a safe workplace for everyone, every day, everywhere. Our wellbeing programs support mental, physical and social wellbeing of our people to be at their best and include an Employee Assistance Program, skin and hearing checks and discounted gym memberships. - A vibrant social culture
Join our Social Club for monthly activities, an annual trivia night, and fantastic Christmas events!
Participate and engage in meaningful work, and contribute to our extraordinary community, where together we make a difference.
For more information, click on 'Apply' to be redirected to Wollongong City Council's job vacancy page.
Applications close 11:59pm, Monday 13 July 2026.
We invite everyone to apply no matter your identity, you'll be welcome. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people who are culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD), people with disability and veterans.
Wollongong Council adheres to the principles of a child safe organisation and is committed to the care and protection of all children and young people in the community.
Applicants are required to undergo a rigorous employment screening process which will include Reference, Identity and Medical History Checks, and may also include a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check and Working with Children Check. Employment is subject to clearance of all these checks.