Seasonal Labourers - Parks and Gardens / Botanic Gardens

Job No: CSCO151
Location: Cooktown, QLD

Seasonal Labourers - Parks and Gardens / Botanic Gardens
Commencing January 2026 - Fixed term until 30 June 2026

Cook Shire Council is gearing up for another big wet season — and with everything growing at turbo speed, we’re looking for energetic, reliable seasonal staff to help keep Cooktown looking its best!

We’re recruiting for 4 full-time positions starting in the new year:

  • 2 x Parks and Gardens Labourers
  • 2 x Botanic Gardens Labourers

Whether you love working across town maintaining parks and streetscapes, or prefer the lush and historic setting of the Cooktown Botanic Gardens, we’d love to hear from you! Applicants can nominate a preference — let us know where you'd like to work!

What Makes This Role Great:

  • Work outdoors in a unique tropical environment
  • Be part of a friendly and supportive Council team
  • Play an essential role in showcasing Cooktown during its fast-growing wet season
  • Enjoy a fixed-term role with stability through to 30 June 2026

What You’ll Be Doing:

You’ll be hands-on, active, and part of a team that keeps our parks, gardens, and natural spaces thriving. Day-to-day tasks may include:

Parks and Gardens Labourer Duties Botanic Gardens Labourer Duties
  • Mowing, snipping, and general maintenance
  • Streetscape and park upkeep
  • Operating equipment such as  whipper-snippers, trailers and small plant
  • Litter management & cleaning
  • Working safely and efficiently in outdoor environments
  • Mowing, weeding, mulching, watering and nursery tasks
  • Small plant operation including zero-turn mowers and power tools
  • Pruning and development of Botanic Gardens spaces
  • Supporting the Curator and team in maintaining one of Cooktown’s iconic assets

 

About You:

  • Reliable with a strong work ethic
  • Comfortable working outdoors in hot, humid conditions
  • Can operate mowing and garden maintenance equipment (experience preferred)
  • Hold a Construction White CardHold a current Qld Driver’s Licence (C class for Botanic Gardens; MR preferred for Parks & Gardens)
  • Takes pride in your work and enjoys contributing to the community 

How to apply

To apply, please review the Candidate Information Kit  for this position. To be considered for selection you will need to submit: 
  • a Cover Letter outlining why you are interested in this role; and
  • a detailed and up to date Resume/CV.
Applications should be submitted online. Click on the "Apply Now" tab below to apply.
Applications will close 11pm Tuesday 9 December 2025
Cook Shire Council will be assessing applications as they are submitted, so get in early. We reserve the right to close the advertisement early should a suitable candidate be identified. 

SUMMARY & CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Job reference

CSC151

Position:

Seasonal Labourers - Parks and Gardens / Botanic Gardens

Location:

Cooktown

Tenure:

Full Time. Fixed term until 30 June 2026

Remuneration:

Queensland Local Government Industry (Stream B: Division 2, Section 5) Award – State 2017
Level  2

$64,732 per annum + relevant allowances

Superannuation

12% Superannuation contributions


Cook Shire Council is an equal opportunity employer and encourages a diverse workplace. Indigenous community members and women are strongly encouraged to apply.
All applications are assessed on merit.

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Cook Shire Council's recruitment applications are hosted by external service providers who also recognise the importance of privacy. By proceeding with your application, you acknowledge that your personal information will be hosted by these external service providers until such time as you elect not to have your information stored on these external hosted sites. The information you provide will only be used for the purposes of processing your application and will not be given to any other person or agency unless you have given permission, or if required by law.


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Join the Team

Cooktown provides a lifestyle that blends with the beauty of Far North Queensland’s natural surroundings. Its pristine beaches, lush rainforests and national parks offer endless opportunities for outdoor activities, from fishing and boating to hiking and exploring cultural sites. Cooktown features great schools, healthcare facilities and a close-knit community atmosphere, making it a fantastic place to raise a family. With abundant natural beauty and a relaxed pace of life, Cooktown is ideal for those looking for a balance between their professional and personal lives.