Cowra Shire Council

Grounds Maintenance Attendant – Airport, Cemeteries & Saleyards

Salary:                                  $980.20pw plus 11.5% Superannuation

Position Status:                   Permanent Full Time

Hours of Work:                    7am to 4pm (during summer 6:30am to 3:30pm), 38hour week working a nine day fortnight 

Closing Date:                       5.00pm Monday 20 January 2025

About Cowra & Council

Cowra is located within beautiful Central NSW on the banks of the Lachlan River. It is approximately one hour from the regional hubs of Bathurst and Orange, two hours from Canberra and four hours from Sydney. The town is situated at the intersection of three state highways; the Mid-Western Highway, the Olympic Highway and the Lachlan Valley Way, making it a central hub for travel, freight and logistics.

Covering 2810 square kilometres, the shire includes a number of small villages which feed into the Cowra township and contribute to the shires’ agricultural and cultural growth. These villages include Billimari, Darbys Falls, Gooloogong, Morongla, Noonbinna, Wattamondara, Woodstock and Wyangala. Cowra is a town with deep historical ties to Japan and is regarded as a centre for peace. Its public identity became a part of World War II history with the Cowra Breakout of 1944. This tragic event in the town’s history led Cowra to focus on promoting the values of friendship and reconciliation, something which the town still projects today.

Not only is Cowra a historical town, it is a town with a love for food and wine. It is surrounded by vineyards and grazing rich farmlands with quality restaurants and cafes, and also includes endless water and camping opportunities with Wyangala Dam only a short drive away. Cowra is a growing community with a number of primary and high school education options, health centres, sporting clubs, community groups and limitless weekend activities. It is the perfect place to raise a family, study, work or retire.

Cowra Council employs over 200 full time equivalent staff, our vision is to be a leading, innovative and creative community, proud of our place in history and offering opportunity with the best of country living. The region enjoys a range of economic, social, educational and health services with a welcoming community that embraces new members from all backgrounds. We strive to provide, maintain and extend Council services to improve the quality of life for residents throughout the Shire. We aim to actively lead, facilitate and foster sustainable development and wealth generating opportunities through agricultural, industrial, commercial and tourism growth.

About the Opportunity 

Cowra Council is seeking a highly motivated and enthusiastic applicant to fill the position of Grounds Maintenance Attendant - Airport, Cemeteries & Saleyards. The position is primarily responsible for the maintenance of Council’s Airport, Cemeteries (including the Cowra & surrounding villages cemeteries) & Saleyards. 

The responsibilities of this position will include;

• Assist with set up, sale day and post-sale day duties including cleaning of the saleyards.
• Maintaining an operational knowledge of the Airport Manual.
• Grave site preparation, grave back filling, headstone and monument maintenance.
• Assist with ensuring cemetery records and plans are properly maintained and kept up to date in both written and computer form.
• Act as an Airport contact responsible for Airport enquiries, along with Airport Reporting Officer (ARO), which includes being on call.
• Along with general grounds maintenance activities for all of the three areas which will include spraying, weeding, planting, mowing, waste collection & disposal and concreting. 

Applicants must have demonstrated relevant industry experience in one of the above-mentioned areas, possess a current MR drivers licence, hold an AQF3 chemical ticket (or willing to obtain) and be willing to work on call for the airport as required. There will be occasional overtime weekend work to be carried out for example during significant rain events, animal welfare emergencies at the saleyard and weekend burials. 

 A ‘can do’ work ethic, strong organisational skills and ability to work positively within a small team are essential. Applicants will take pride in producing a well-presented area for the community at all times along with having a great attention to detail and intermediate computer and literacy skills. The successful applicant will undertake Civil Aviation Safety Authority courses on functions at the Airport, aerodrome reporting officer training, Cemeteries grave digging/backfilling & Saleyards training

As on call is a part of this position on a rotating roster, applicants must reside within Cowra to perform the on-call duties of this position. The on call allowance when you are performing on call duties is $216p/w. Overtime is paid at the appropriate penalty rate. 

The Benefits

The appointment will be in accordance with the Local Government (State) Award and Cowra Shire Council's policies and conditions of employment. 

If you're ready to make a meaningful impact and join our team that values safety, innovation, and community, we'd love for you to apply! Benefits of working at Council include:

• Fortnightly Rostered Day Off (RDO)
• Four weeks of Annual Leave per year
• Access to Long Service Leave after five years
• Three weeks sick leave per year
• Wellness Programs and Health and Wellbeing initiatives including two (2) Health and Wellbeing days per year.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Paid parental leave
• Fitness Passport

In addition, we value work-life balance and offer opportunities for training and professional development. 

Position Details

• $980.20pw plus 11.5% Superannuation

• 7am to 4pm (during summer 6:30am to 3:30pm), 38hour week working a nine day fortnight

• Employment conditions are in accordance with the Local Government (State) Award

• Candidates must have the right to live and work in Australia to apply for this position

Position Description

Please click on the link for a full copy of the Position Description.

For further enquiries please contact Manager - Cowra Services, Philippa Childs on 6340 2054.

How to Apply

Before you apply for this position, please read the position description carefully to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position. You will be required to answer questions relating to the selection criteria on the online application below, your answers will be accessed and rated, so please ensure you take time in providing your answers and give examples of demonstrated experience when requested as well as supplying details of Certificates, Licences and Tickets.  

You will also be asked to attach your current resume which should include two employment related referees. Please note that you cannot submit your application without attaching your resume. A cover letter is not mandatory, however may be added if so desired.

Cowra Council is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion.  If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise at time of application.  

Applications Close: 5.00pm Monday 20 January 2025

Pre-employment Screening

In the event you are shortlisted for an interview, and are then selected to progress to the next stage following interview, you must be prepared to undergo the following pre-employment screening processes as part of the selection process:

• A pre-employment physical examination, including hearing, drug & alcohol assessments.
• Please include two referees in your resume for reference checking purposes - please ensure your referee details are current.
• Provide the applicable Working with Children Check number if the role applied for requires a Working with Children Check.
• Council may also check authenticity of certificates and qualifications.

Privacy Statement

As part of the recruitment process, Cowra Shire Council will be collecting information about you. This information is private information for the purposes of the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act. This information will be included in the recruitment file and only accessed by members of the Recruitment Selection Panel. 

Equal Employment Opportunity

Council aims to ensure fair, equitable and non-discriminatory consideration for all applicants, regardless of sex, ethnic or racial origin, or physical disability.