At Wollongong City Council, we continuously strive to create an Extraordinary Wollongong. We focus on the delivery of exceptional services, infrastructure and facilities for our community. 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 This is an exciting opportunity to step into a key leadership role within Council’s Arboriculture team, where you will play a central part in shaping how our frontline services operate. As the Team Leader, you will provide strong, hands‑on leadership, guiding and supporting a dedicated crew responsible for maintaining the safety, health and presentation of our parks, reserves, streetscapes and community spaces. This role is ideal for a confident and experienced leader who is passionate about developing others, fostering teamwork and modelling a strong safety‑first culture. With continued growth in our urban tree canopy and an expanding maintenance program, you will enjoy a steady pipeline of meaningful work, strong collaboration with other operational teams, and opportunities as they arise. The position offers excellent employment conditions, a supportive environment that values professional growth, and the satisfaction of leading a team that delivers essential services the community relies on every day. Benefit from early-start/early-finish work hours plus a balanced 9‑day fortnight with a regular Rostered Day Off (RDO). This position is physically demanding, applicants should be suitably fit to undertake the duties as outlined in the job description. Overtime and call‑out work may be required as operational needs arise. This is a Permanent Full-Time position. Salary up to $96,259.86 per annum plus superannuation. (Salary package will be assessed based on skills, experience and qualifications) How you’ll make a difference In this role, you will provide practical, real‑world leadership as you guide and mentor a small team of arborists and truck driver, ensuring all work is carried out efficiently, with a strong focus on safety, and in line with Council processes. You will conduct tree and shrub inspections across Council assets, determine appropriate actions such as pruning or removal, and manage both scheduled and reactive works, including emergency call‑outs when operationally required. Your day‑to‑day will involve exercising clear leadership by setting priorities, coordinating resources, conducting toolbox meetings, collaborating closely with your Coordinator, and maintaining strong communication to keep your team informed, engaged and supported. You may also have occasions where members of the public approach you on site, and when this occurs, you’ll play a helpful role in clarifying the reasons behind tree‑management activities—responding profes sionally, respectfully and safely to any questions or concerns About you You are a confident and capable leader with a highly advanced level of Arboriculture expertise, supported with a Certificate III in Arboriculture and experience. You bring strong leadership skills and a deep commitment to safety, consistently modelling safe, professional and best‑practice behaviours in every aspect of your work. You demonstrate a high-calibre capability to guide, mentor and motivate your team, ensuring that safety remains front‑of‑mind during planning, decision‑making and daily operations. You communicate clearly, make sound decisions under pressure, and maintain a calm and respectful presence when engaging with both your team and the community. You have advanced capability in process management, applying Council values, coordinating resources, and undertaking safe canopy‑based work, along with the physical capability needed for hands‑on arboriculture tasks. You are adept at using technology, applying environmental and legislative requirements, and interpreting work needs to support effective, safe and well‑planned operations. You have a Current Class C Drivers Licence. You hold essential industry licences including: Working Safely Near Powerlines, Traffic Controller Level 1 and Implement Traffic Control Plans - Level 2 Elevated Work Platform (less than 11m) You hold (or are willing to obtain within 3 months) this essential industry licence: Asbestos Awareness. Above all, you are a reliable, safety‑focused and collaborative leader who takes pride in developing others and contributing positively to the community. 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, vaccinations, 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 16 February 2026 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.
