"Grounds Person / Farm Hand"

Job Description:

• Property and Facilities Division
• Full-time, permanent position
• Base salary will be in the range $68,939 - $75,882 + 17% Superannuation (HEW Level 3)
• This role will be based at our Pinjarra Hills Research Facility

About This Opportunity

We are seeking a reliable and practical Grounds Person / Farm Hand to join a stable, permanent role supporting the day-to-day operation of the Pinjarra Hills Research Facility.

This is a hands-on, site-based role where you will work from one consistent location, maintaining high-quality external environments across a large operational estate. You will work closely with the Client Facilities Coordinator, researchers and service teams to ensure land, grounds and facilities are safe, functional and well presented.

This opportunity is well suited to someone who enjoys outdoor, practical work, values job security and predictable hours, and takes pride in delivering quality outcomes as part of a supportive team.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Grounds and estate maintenance including mowing, slashing, brush cutting, weed spraying, fencing repairs, hedge trimming and tree maintenance
• Operating and maintaining grounds and farm machinery safely, including tractors, mowers, sprayers, utility vehicles and tools
• Supporting research and estate activities, including preparing plots, assisting fieldwork and maintaining designated study areas
• Maintaining buildings, paths, equipment and operational areas in line with safety, biosecurity and environmental standards

About Pinjarra Hills Research Facility

Pinjarra Hills is a 282-hectare research facility located in Brisbane, supporting research activities that cannot be accommodated elsewhere at the University. The site enables agricultural, environmental and specialist research within a large-scale operational setting.

The facility includes extensive open land, rural infrastructure, sheds, workshops, services buildings and specialist research facilities. Its size, diversity and purpose create a unique working environment that requires a practical, coordinated approach to grounds, estate and operational maintenance, working closely with researchers, service teams and the Client Facilities Coordinator.

Why Join the UQ Property and Facilities Team?

Working in a site-based grounds and estate role at UQ offers stability, consistency and strong support within a collaborative environment.

Work-life balance you can count on:

• Set work hours, allowing flexibility for family and personal commitments
• One consistent work location, with no unpredictable travel between job sites
• A supportive and collaborative team environment
• Access to appropriate equipment, facilities and amenities to support your work

Join a community where excellence is at the core of our culture, contributions are valued and a range of benefits and rewards are available, such as:

• Up to 26 weeks paid parental leave/paid primary care leave
• 17% superannuation contributions + 17.5% annual leave loading
• Access to flexible working arrangements including purchased leave, and a condensed fortnight
• Health and wellness discounts – fitness passport access, free yearly flu vaccinations, discounted health insurance, and access to our Employee Assistance Program for staff and their immediate family
• Career development opportunities –access to exclusive internal-only vacancies and our Study for Staff program
• Salary packaging options

About You

• Experience working in grounds maintenance, farm, estate or research environments
• Qualifications equivalent to a Certificate III in Horticulture, or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and training
• A current open Queensland Driver’s Licence (HR or MR licence desirable)
• A commercial chemical operations licence, with knowledge of safe handling and application
• Experience operating grounds and farm machinery such as tractors, mowers, sprayers and utility vehicles
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, managing daily tasks efficiently across a large site
• Strong communication skills and the ability to liaise respectfully with staff, researchers, contractors and visitors

Appointment to this role is subject to the successful completion of relevant pre-employment checks, which may include verification of the right to work in Australia, qualifications, criminal history checks.

You must maintain unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this appointment to apply. Employer sponsored work rights are not available for this appointment.

Questions?

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Michael Gower, Supervisor Grounds at m.gower1@uq.edu.au

For application inquiries, please reach out to the Talent Acquisition team at talent@uq.edu.au, stating the job reference number (below) in the subject line.

Want to Apply?

We welcome applications from all individuals and are committed to an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. To be considered, please ensure you upload:

• Resume

Our strength as an institution lies in our diverse colleagues. We're dedicated to equity, diversity, and inclusion, fostering an environment that mirrors our wider community. We're committed to attracting, retaining, and promoting diverse talent, particularly from Australia’s First Nations Peoples. If you require an alternative method to submit your application due to accessibility needs or personal circumstances, please contact talent@uq.edu.au.

Other Information

UQ is committed to a fair, equitable and inclusive selection process, which recognises that some applicants may face additional barriers and challenges which have impacted and/or continue to impact their career trajectory. Candidates who don’t meet all criteria are encouraged to apply and demonstrate their potential. The selection panel considers both potential and performance relative to opportunities when assessing suitability for the role.

Applications close at 11.00pm Friday 13th February 2026 AEST (R-60447).