Team Leader Nursery & Collections
The engine room of the Ballarat Botanical Gardens, our nursery produces & maintains more than 12,000 plants a year for our year-round conservatory displays, featuring six documented collections and Ballarat’s renown registered begonia collections. Leading a small team you would help propagate, grow and maintain nursery collections and complimentary plants, and then bring them to life in our year-round, unique conservatory displays including the Begonia Display, the centrepiece of Ballarat’s Begonia Festival.
We are passionate about integrated pest management, nursery accreditation, and operate in a minimal chemical-use environment. We are actively involved in small scale indigenous plant conservation projects and thrive in the propagation of plants for our three heritage listed gardens. This role has the added interest of being actively involved in the development of our plant collection research & documentation, and our plant database maintenance including its public interface Garden Explorer.
About You
You have a passion for plants, an eye for detail, and extensive production nursery experience. You enjoy leading and working with an experienced team, thrive in enhancing positive team culture and believe there can be nowhere better to work than in a botanical garden.
Key Selection Criteria
- A Certificate 3 or equivalent in horticulture.
- Demonstrated ability to champion, model and promote corporate values.
- Horticultural expertise that embraces the broad range of plant production and maintenance processes associated within nursery operations.
- Demonstrated ability to implement and monitor adherence to health and safety policies and procedures within a team environment
- Well-developed written and verbal communication skills for dealing with staff, contractors, community, and the preparation of quote and business plans.
- Experience leading a team in a production nursery environment.
- A current driver’s licence maintained while employed by the City of Ballarat.
Be Part of Something More
Join us in making a real difference to the lives within our community. Working for City of Ballarat you will be part of a team that values honesty, transparency and accounting in everything we do. We believe in the importance of valuing every Individual and working together to support the community. Together we create a supportive and inclusive environment where everyone can thrive and make a positive impact.
Benefits
There’s more to remuneration than just salary. Here are some key benefits you might value:
- Learning and development programs
- Flexible work policies
- Employee benefits program
- MyWellbeing initiatives
To Apply
Please submit your application via the City of Ballarat jobs portal.
The closing date for this position is 30th October, 2026.
Please ensure that you provide a cover letter, current resume and provide answers to the key selection criteria as outlined in the attached Position Description. The successful applicant will be required to undergo a full employment medical and police check.
For any additional questions, please contact Donna Thomas (Curator Gardens and Nursery) via email provided.
At the City of Ballarat, we celebrate diversity and strive to create an inclusive, flexible workplace where everyone feels welcome. We encourage applicants of all backgrounds, identities, and abilities to apply. If you need any support during the recruitment process, reach out to us at peopleandculture@ballarat.vic.gov.au
We’re proud to be a child-safe organisation, committed to protecting children and young people from harm. Our culture promotes their safety and wellbeing, and we require all successful candidates to undergo relevant screening, including a Working with Children Check and criminal history check.
