About our District - Our mission is to make our communities better and this role will play a key part in achieving this. We are located in a tranquil area of New Zealand offering some of the best access to the great outdoors. We also boast attractive housing prices for your town, village or rural lifestyle and we are within commuting distance to larger centres.

About our Organisation - We are an energetic and progressive, values-based organisation, which is dedicated to providing quality services and facilities for our communities. We place strong emphasis on our organisational culture, which in turn creates strong engagement across our team. We employ people with a 'Can Do' attitude who want to work for a united organisation with a strong sense of family that is proud to serve its communities.

At STDC, we offer a proven "best place to work" environment, access to a sick leave bank, flexible working opportunities and retention incentive benefit upon five years of employment. Our team culture encourages innovation, we care about your professional development, and you will be working with an elite and motivated team of professionals.

About the Role - This is an entry-level, hands-on role, working within the Horticultural Services team maintaining our parks and reserves across the district. So, if you are keen on developing a career in the industry, this may be the role for you. We are looking for someone who has an exceptional level of stamina and physical fitness, an interest in all aspects of gardening, can display self-motivation and take pride in their work. A Driver's License is essential with the ability to use a manual vehicle.

Do you have what it takes? - The typical work environment means you will work outdoors undertaking weeding, pruning, tree and shrub care, applying fertilisers and insecticides, removing and planting of annual borders, planting of trees and shrub, preparation and digging over of garden beds, helping with the set up and construction of landscape projects, mowing, line trimming and hedge cutting etc. You will be expected to use small plant machinery such as small tractors, mowers, hedge trimmers, chainsaws etc. Training on the use of machinery and the spraying of herbicides/pesticides will be given. Knowledge of plants, trees, shrubbery and lawn care are essential as are problem-solving skills.

About You - As you will be working outdoors, you will frequently work in dirty, wet, cold, hot or dusty conditions depending upon the season and weather. Protective clothing and equipment are frequently used. This is a physically demanding role (medium to heavy demand level) and you will need to be capable of lifting and carrying of medium to heavy loads, standing, walking, squatting, crouching, bending or kneeling, stretching up and twisting the body or neck, making repetitive movements on an occasional to constant basis, driving on a daily basis and moving from one area or property to another.

This role also holds a reactive element so duties during the day may change. Some tasks may be constant on a seasonal or rotational basis but only occur periodically.

Applicants for this position must be legally entitled to work in New Zealand, therefore must have NZ residency or hold a valid NZ work visa. In terms of residence class visa applications, priority will be given where the applicant is in New Zealand.

This is a Full-Time 40 hours per week role, with a salary range between FTE $51,840 and FTE $57,600 and the appointed starting level will be dependent on skills and experience and will be discussed during interviews with shortlisted candidates.

If this role appeals to you, head over to our website www.southtaranaki.com where you can access the background information and job description for the role. If submitting an application, please ensure you provide a covering letter outlining your skills and experience for the role along with your most current CV.

Applications close at 4 pm on Sunday, 3 August 2025 or when a suitable applicant has been appointed to the role.