Team Leader Horticulture

Band 6 - $99,846 - $108,835 per annum (plus super)

Permanent Full Time (vehicle options)

About Us

Located 35km to the southeast of Melbourne, Greater Dandenong City Council covers 129 square kilometres and has a population of over 169,000 people. The central activities district is Melbourne's second largest retail and commercial centre and includes large shopping complexes at Dandenong and Keysborough as well as the highly popular Dandenong Market.

Greater Dandenong City Council is the most culturally diverse locality in Australia, with residents from over 150 different birthplaces, nearly two-thirds of whom were born overseas. Key industries include manufacturing, health care and social assistance, retail trade, wholesale trade and transport.

We are a progressive organisation of exceptional character that offers a dynamic and rewarding work environment to approximately 900 employees. We recognise that our staff are vital to the delivery of excellent service to our community and the achievement of our long-term vision. We invest in the development of our people, and we strive to be a workplace that is respectful, engaged, accountable, creative and honest.

About the role

As part of a recent restructure within the Parks Services Unit, the City of Greater Dandenong is seeking a Team Leader Horticulture to lead the planning and delivery of horticultural maintenance programs across the city’s parks, reserves, and public open spaces.

Reporting to the Coordinator City Presentation, this leadership role is responsible for supervising internal horticulture crews and contractors to ensure high quality presentation of parks, reserves and public open spaces. The Team Leader will oversee service delivery in line with scheduled programs and standards, manage equipment and resources, and respond to community service requests.

With a strong focus on operational coordination, continuous improvement and customer service, this position offers the opportunity to lead the delivery of vibrant, high-amenity open spaces that are safe, welcoming and beautifully maintained across the city.

About you

You’re a skilled horticulture professional with a passion for creating vibrant and inviting open spaces. You’ve led teams, delivered large scale horticulture programs, and are ready to step into a role that blends technical expertise with people and program management.

You’re comfortable working in a dynamic environment and confident balancing programmed and reactive maintenance needs. You bring a safety first mindset, strong customer service focus, and the ability to drive quality outcomes.

This is an excellent opportunity to lead a dedicated team, drive innovation and improvement, and help shape the presentation and amenity of Greater Dandenong’s open space network.

Key requirements:

• Tertiary qualification in Horticulture
• Several years’ experience working in local government or a similar environment.
• Experience in contract management
• Demonstrated experience in parks and open space maintenance
• Demonstrated understanding of contract administration, including monitoring and OH&S requirements
• Demonstrated comprehensive knowledge of open space maintenance programs, with high level and problem solving skills with the capacity to inspire and support innovative thinking.
• Knowledge and skills in contemporary management practices, staff management, performance management, staff development, change management and business excellence.
• Highly effective interpersonal skills, incorporating verbal and written communication, listening, liaison, advocacy, facilitation skills, as well as excellence in customer service delivery.
• Demonstrated capacity to effectively manage time, establish priorities, and achieve business and team objectives, despite conflicting pressures
• Demonstrated well developed computer literacy skills including the MS Office suite of programs as well as applicable Engineering Services software.

Please ensure you address the key selection criteria outlined in the position description as part of your application.

You may be required to undertake practical testing, work preference profiling / psychometric testing, functional capacity assessment (physical) or aptitude testing.

The successful candidate will be asked to produce a clear Working with Children Check and will be asked toconsent to a national police check (and where relevant an ‘international criminal history check’), subject to the operation of spent conviction laws. Please note that people with criminal records are not automatically barred from applying for this position. Each application will be considered on its merits.

Benefits of working with us

Council believes in providing an environment where staff thrive, both in the work they do and in how they learn and develop as people and professionals.

Our workplace has an inclusive and diverse culture which encourages innovation and supports your work and life balance. There are plenty of opportunities to learn, develop and grow your career within our expanding and diverse organisation.

Our benefits include

• Competitive salary
• Salary sacrifice childcare (where available)
• Flexible working options supported including hybrid work
• Access to learning & development programs including study assistance
• Reward & recognition programs
• Health initiatives
• Access to our support and wellbeing programs
• A vibrant social club

For more information about our benefits, please visit our careers page:Working with Us

Council will consider flexible working arrangements for all positions. We embrace our diverse community and encourage applications from everyone including people of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander background, people of diverse sexual orientation and gender, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and people of varied age, ability, and faith. Council will give due consideration to any workplace adjustments to accommodate the needs of any prospective or existing staff member.

Council is commitment to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment and promoting cultural safety and wellbeing for children with zero tolerance for child abuse and harm.

To apply

To apply for this position please complete the online application form including:

• A brief cover letter
• Your resume
• Response to key selection criteria

You will be required to answer selection questions as part of the application process. The selection process also includes the requirement for reference checks

Position Description: Team Leader Horticulture - 310.2 KB

Applications close: 5pm, Sunday, 31 August 2025

Further information: Jack Chittenden, 8571 1772