Gardener - Handyperson

This is a permanent part-time (0.4FTE) position commencing Term 3, 2026

Working in a recently established public primary school presents unique challenges that require a particular skill-set and outlook. Of utmost importance are the personal qualities you bring to the role. You should value developing positive relationships with students, families, colleagues, and the wider community. You ideally will have a ‘can do’ attitude and the ability to anticipate and adapt to change; showing initiative, flexibility and creative problem solving to produce the best opportunities for students.

Our school is located in the growing suburb of Southern River, surrounded by rapidly developing housing estates. In 2023 Yarralinka Primary School (PS) opened its Stage 2 buildings, which has seen the school expand up to Year 6. Our school community include families of different backgrounds and cultures, many from overseas, where English is not the first language or dialect spoken at home.

Find out more about our school by visiting yarralinkaps.wa.edu.au or Schools Online.

The Role

As a Gardener - Handyperson, the successful applicant would work closely with the line manager, providing gardening, grounds and facility management to ensure a safe and clean school environment. The Gardener - Handyperson will be responsible for maintaining and presenting the school grounds and gardens in an attractive, clean and tidy condition, reporting faults, performing tasks and duties using safe work practices, including following Safety Data Sheet guidelines, in a timely manner with minimal disruption to students and staff, and provide a suitable growing environment for both soft and hard landscaping, including turf management. The successful applicant will perform minor repairs and maintenance as requested, as well as other Gardener - Handyperson duties such as line marking in accordance with the Department’s policies and guidelines.

Yarralinka PS has been open for 5 years in the newly developed Southern River. We currently have 320 students from Kindergarten to Year 6. All students have the potential to achieve big things, which is why we place a strong focus on developing all aspects of a child - social, emotional, physical and academic. We work on the understanding that this can only be achieved through collaboration and authentic community partnerships. Everyone at our school - from the principal to the cleaning team - takes on the responsibility of building relationships with students and families in a respectful and culturally responsive manner. The successful applicant should have strong communication and interpersonal skills and be a team player who works collaboratively with colleagues.

The successful applicant should display effective communication skills, be able to develop and maintain good working relationships with staff and external stakeholders and ideally be able to work unsupervised, with the ability to identify and recognise work that is required to be completed. You would also be well organised, have attention to detail, a positive outlook and be a team player.

Want to know more?

Full details of the role, selection criteria and training requirements are listed in the attached Job Description Form (JDF).

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Chris Burgess, Principal, on (08) 9391 4340 or emailing christopher.burgess2@education.wa.edu.au.

During the school holidays, please contact Chris Burgess on 0448 103 894.

Equity and Diversity

We are committed to an inclusive and culturally responsive workforce reflecting the diversity in our schools and the Western Australian community. We welcome and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, young people, people of diverse sexualities and genders, people with disability, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Explore our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Plan 2021-2025 for more details.

Eligibility

To work with us, you will need to:

• obtain a valid Working With Children Check.
• consent to a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check and obtain a current Screening Clearance Number issued by the Department of Education’s Screening Unit before you start.
• be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, permanent resident or have a valid visa with relevant work rights for the term of the appointment.

Additional eligibility and training requirements are outlined in the attached Job Description Form (JDF).

Application Instructions

Our aim is to make it easy for you to apply!

Step 1: Prepare your application.

Your application should include the following:

• CV/Resume detailing your work history, experience and any certificates or qualifications relevant to the position.
• Tell us in up to two (2) pages how your skills and experiences that relate to these selection criteria:
  • Demonstrated sound communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Demonstrated experience in maintaining grounds and gardens, including turf management.
  • Demonstrated experience in minor servicing of horticultural/gardening equipment and performing minor repairs and maintenance tasks.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of gardening methods and procedures, including the safe use and storage of gardening equipment, materials and chemicals.

Step 2: Submit your application.

Apply Online:

• Click ‘Apply for Job’ and complete the online application.
• Have your documents ready to attach.

It is recommended you have your attachments ready before selecting Apply for Job.

Your application must be received before the closing date and time. Late applications will not be accepted.

For technical support submitting your application, you can call the Department of Education’s Recruitment team on (08) 9264 4127 for assistance.

Advertised Vacancy Number: IPS/SS1057405

Suitable applicants may be considered for similar vacancies arising within the next 12 months following this selection process. This may include circumstances where the successful applicant declines or vacates the position.

The Department applies a four (4) day breach period to this selection process.

Applications close: 4.30pm (AWST) on Friday, 17 July 2026