Wollongong City Council

Horticulturalist – Wollongong Botanic Garden

Horticulturalist - Wollongong Botanic Garden

Display Collections

Are you a highly motivated person, with a passion for the presentation and care of plants, who would like to further develop and grow their skillset as part of a team of qualified horticulturalists?

We're looking for someone who has recently completed their Certificate III in Horticulture, brings some hands-on experience, and is excited to grow their career, learn from experienced professionals, and contribute to the creation of outstanding plant displays that inspire our community.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a supportive, highly skilled team and play a hands-on role in maintaining and developing one of the region's most valued green spaces.

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.

The opportunity

As a Horticulturalist in our Display Collections team, you will contribute to the presentation, care, and ongoing development of living plant collections that enhance the visitor experience and support conservation, education, and tourism.

Working alongside experienced horticulturalists and under the guidance of your supervisor, you will ensure the timely implementation and care of the Living Collections within the Botanic Garden, gain exposure to a wide range of horticultural practices while developing your technical and practical expertise in a Botanic Garden environment.

We're looking for someone with strong communication skills who enjoys working as part of a diverse, supportive team and thrives on engaging with visitors of all ages, helping create a welcoming, informative and memorable experience for everyone who visits the Botanic Garden. Find out more about what we do here.

Please note that this position involves undertaking repetitive manual tasks and applicants should be suitably fit to undertake the duties as outlined in the job description. Flexibility in this role is required with a willingness to support weekend work, events, and rostered shifts subject to operational needs.

This is a full time term contract position for a period of 12 months with the possibility of permanency. Salary from : $78,929 up to $82,345 per annum plus (Salary package will be assessed based on skills, experience and qualifications). A minimum increase of 3.25% to the salary from 1 July 2026 in accordance with Council's Enterprise Agreement.

What you will be doing

Your role will be hands-on, varied and rewarding including:

• Delivering programmed garden maintenance and horticultural activities
• Contributing to small landscape construction and improvement projects
• Undertaking plant and turf maintenance, including pruning, planting and care
• Assisting with the renewal and enhancement of garden beds and display areas
• Supporting irrigation systems and helping manage plant pests and diseases
• Assisting with events and activities across the Botanic Garden
• Can be involved in a range of projects as the Botanic Garden continues to grow and evolve under its long-term Master Plan.

You'll regularly engage with council staff, volunteers and members of the public, building positive relationships and contributing to a welcoming environment for all.

Above all, you'll take pride in supporting the safe, efficient and high-quality operation of the Botanic Garden and its surrounding sites, helping create a space the community can enjoy and be proud of.

About you

You're a motivated and enthusiastic team member who takes pride in delivering high-quality horticultural work and contributing to an extraordinary Wollongong. You enjoy a variety of hands-on maintenance and construction tasks, have a keen eye for detail and presentation, and bring a strong customer service focus.

You're equally comfortable working as part of a supportive, diverse team or independently for extended periods, maintaining high standards in a Botanic Garden or open space setting.

With excellent written and verbal communication skills and a genuine passion for plants, you're eager to continue developing and growing your early career in horticulture. You have a commitment to Council's values of Respect, Integrity, OneTeam, Sustainability and Courage.

You'll thrive in this role if you are:

• Motivated, curious, and "thirsty to learn"
• A strong communicator who enjoys interacting with people as much as working with plants
• Physically capable and enjoy hands-on, outdoor work
• Flexible and willing to support weekend work, events, and rostered shifts when required
• Excited by the opportunity to develop specialist horticultural skills in a Botanic Garden setting

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 35-hour work week or 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 15 June 2026.

Internally this position is known as Horticulturist Botanic Display Collections - Botanic Garden.

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.