Plants, cultivates and maintains parks and gardens.

Prepares and maintains seedbeds and growing sites; propagates and plants trees, bushes, hedges, flowers and bulbs; prepares lawn areas by spreading top soil and planting grass, and laying instant turf; maintains planted and grassed areas by weeding, trimming, fertilising, watering and mowing; prunes trees and hedges, and installs plant support and protection devices; constructs gravel and paved areas, walls, fences, pergolas, ponds, barbecues and garden furniture; examines trees to asses their condition and determine treatment; lopping limbs off trees and shaping branches using chain or handsaws; sprays and dusts plants and trees to control insects and disease, and fells diseased trees.

• Works outdoors in most weather conditions and carries out general maintenance of lawns and gardens but may also cut down and remove unwanted trees and shrubs or carry out construction activities such as paths and kerbing. May also carry out work in potting sheds or glass-houses. Frequently works in dirty, wet, cold, hot or dusty conditions depending upon season and weather.
• Frequently uses horticultural pesticides and fertilisers and various soil mixture additives. Protective clothing and breathing apparatus may be required.

• Medium to very heavy physical level demand. Medium to very heavy lifting and carrying of bags of fertiliser, soil mixes, and garden equipment, is likely to be required on a frequent basis.
• Stands and walks frequently. Stretches up and/or across when undertaking some general garden maintenance tasks. Frequently squats, crouches, bends and kneels. Occasionally twists body or neck if operating drive on equipment or working in trees.
• Repetitive movements will be occasional to constant (e.g. hedge trimming/garden edging).
• Driving is likely to be required of vehicles onsite, such as ride on mowers, or for transportation between sites.
• The use of hand tools both manual and mechanical will be frequent to constant. Workers will need to spray fertilisers and pesticides on an occasional to frequent basis.
• Mental skills necessary include practical, organisational and problem-solving.

A New Zealand Register Level 4 qualification or at least three years of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 3). In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification. For entry-level positions on-the-job training may be sufficient.

• There are opportunities for flexibility of movement but they are limited.
• Some tasks may be constant on a seasonal or rotational basis but only occur periodically.