Gardener/Handyperson

About the role

St John of God Murdoch Hospital is looking for a practical, hands-on Gardener/Handyperson to help keep the hospital’s outdoor areas attractive, safe and well cared for. This position involves a mix of garden upkeep, grounds presentation, reticulation support and coordination of specialist horticulture work. If you enjoy working outside, take pride in neat and professional surroundings, and want your efforts to make a visible difference every day, this could be a strong fit.

Key duties

• Carry out routine care of gardens and grounds, including inspections, weed removal, rubbish collection, pathway sweeping and small paving repairs.
• Maintain waterways, lakes and reticulation areas through inspections, floating debris removal, weed management and algae control.
• Perform preventive, corrective and breakdown work on the grounds reticulation system, including fault-finding, repairs and maintenance.
• Inspect garden and irrigation systems regularly, identify issues or defects, and suggest practical corrective actions.
• Oversee external specialist contractors such as mowing, spraying, tree maintenance and lawn fertilising providers.
• Work alongside the Maintenance Engineer and Engineering Support Officer and provide technical updates on daily work.
• Keep gardens and grounds aligned with required presentation standards and relevant KPIs.
• Complete scheduled daily and weekly maintenance checks as part of the maintenance plan.
• Help maintain sufficient stock for reticulation operations.
• Support other trades within the engineering team when needed or directed.
• Attend team meetings as required.
• Record job details and history in the computerized maintenance management system.
• Maintain cleanliness of the worksite, workshop and post-job areas.
• Report progress and any delays to the Maintenance Engineer promptly.
• Raise purchase requests for reticulation repair materials.

Experience and requirements

You should bring solid experience across garden and grounds maintenance, including operation, upkeep and troubleshooting of reticulation systems in a large commercial setting. Experience with general grounds tasks such as brick paving is also needed, along with confidence using garden hand tools and powered equipment safely and effectively.

A cooperative, team-focused approach is important, as is the ability to communicate well with caregivers, understand requests and concerns, and respond appropriately to issues affecting hospital services and facilities. You must also have experience working outdoors, a good understanding of related hazards, and a demonstrated commitment to safe work practices.

Success in this role will suit someone who is self-motivated, energetic, results-driven, committed to continuous improvement, and able to manage time well. An A Class Driver’s Licence is essential, and you must be available to work after hours when unplanned maintenance arises.

What the hospital offers

• Annual salary range of $61,043 to $63,233, plus 12% superannuation.
• Full-time hours of 38 per week.
• Salary packaging options up to $18,550 across benefits such as mortgage or rent support, meal entertainment, holiday accommodation and everyday living expenses, with additional packaging available above the FBT cap for novated leasing, work-related expenses, self-education and extra superannuation.
• Flexible work options, additional purchased leave and wellbeing programs to support work-life balance.
• Fitness Passport access for you and your family, including gym and wellbeing benefits.
• Employee discounts on hospital and medical services, as well as private health insurance.
• Access to a free Employee Assistance Program.
• Opportunities for professional development.
• Travel Green allowance of up to $1,500 per year for walking, carpooling or public transport users.
• Penalty rates for extra hours, including time and a half for the first two overtime hours Monday to Saturday, double time for further overtime, double time on Sundays, and double time and a half on public holidays.

Application and additional information

Applicants need to submit a current CV and a cover letter of no more than two pages explaining how they meet the role requirements.

For questions about the position, contact Geoff Barnett, Manager Engineering, on (08) 9428 8503.

Applications are reviewed throughout the advertising period, with interviews held regularly. The advertisement may close early if suitable candidates are identified.

St John of God Health Care welcomes people from all backgrounds and is committed to diversity, inclusion, and a safe, respectful environment for children and vulnerable people in its care.