Horticulture farm hand

L.A.C Estate – Sunbury, Victoria
Full-Time / Permanent
Horticulture | Agriculture | Olive Grove | Grounds & Property Maintenance

L.A.C Estate is a privately owned estate located in Sunbury, Victoria, incorporating an established olive grove, landscaped gardens, extensive grounds and premium event facilities.

We are seeking an experienced and reliable Horticulture Farm Hand – Level 3 to Level 5 to join our team.

The position is suitable for applicants with varying levels of horticultural, agricultural and property-maintenance experience. The successful applicant's classification and responsibilities will be determined based on demonstrated skills, qualifications and experience.

This is a practical, hands-on role covering olive grove management, horticulture, irrigation, machinery operation, grounds maintenance and general property upkeep.

As L.A.C Estate also operates as a wedding and event venue, maintaining the estate to a high visual standard is an important part of the role.

• Maintain and care for the estate's olive grove and other established trees and plants.

• Undertake pruning, tree training and general crop maintenance.

• Monitor tree health, growth and seasonal condition.

• Identify signs of pests, disease, irrigation problems or nutrient deficiencies.

• Assist with fertilising, spraying and crop-management programs.

• Assist with olive harvesting and seasonal production activities.

• Maintain vegetation beneath and between olive-tree rows.

• Undertake mowing, slashing, weed control and mulching.

• Assist with planting and establishment of new trees and landscaped areas.

• Maintain horticultural records where required.

More experienced Level 4–5 applicants may also assist with:

• Planning seasonal olive grove maintenance.

• Coordinating pruning, spraying, fertilising and harvesting activities.

• Monitoring crop performance and identifying areas requiring corrective action.

• Organising daily or weekly horticultural work priorities.

• Supervising or providing guidance to junior or casual farm staff when required.

• Operate and monitor irrigation systems throughout the estate.

• Inspect irrigation lines, sprinklers, drippers, valves, pumps and filters.

• Identify leaks, blockages, pressure problems and system faults.

• Undertake basic irrigation repairs and maintenance.

• Adjust irrigation according to seasonal and crop requirements.

• Maintain water tanks, pumps and associated infrastructure.

Experienced applicants may be required to:

• Troubleshoot more complex irrigation issues.

• Recommend improvements to irrigation efficiency.

• Assist with irrigation scheduling and water-management planning.

• Maintain lawns, gardens, trees, hedges and landscaped areas.

• Carry out mowing, edging, pruning, trimming and weed control.

• Maintain garden beds and landscaped areas.

• Remove fallen branches, leaves and green waste.

• Maintain driveways, paths, entrances and outdoor areas.

• Assist with tree and vegetation management across the property.

• Keep the estate clean, tidy and professionally presented.

Operate relevant farm and horticultural machinery safely and competently, including where applicable:

• Tractors

• Ride-on mowers

• Zero-turn mowers

• Slashers

• Brush cutters

• Chainsaws

• Hedge trimmers

• Blowers

• Agricultural sprayers

• Pumps

• Irrigation equipment

• Trailers

• Farm implements

• Hand and power tools

The successful applicant will also:

• Conduct routine machinery inspections.

• Clean and maintain equipment.

• Carry out basic preventative maintenance.

• Identify faults and report or arrange repairs where appropriate.

• Maintain machinery and equipment in safe working condition.

Level 4–5 applicants may also take greater responsibility for machinery maintenance schedules and the safe use of equipment by other staff.

• Assist with general maintenance across the estate.

• Carry out minor repairs to fences, gates, sheds and outdoor infrastructure.

• Maintain storage areas, workshops and equipment sheds.

• Assist with moving materials and equipment around the property.

• Undertake general handyman and maintenance tasks where appropriate.

• Report larger maintenance issues requiring specialist contractors.

• Assist with seasonal farm activities and other duties as required.

L.A.C Estate hosts weddings, private functions and corporate events.

An important part of this position is ensuring the property is presented to a high standard before guests arrive.

Responsibilities may include:

• Preparing lawns and landscaped areas before events.

• Ensuring driveways, entrances and guest areas are clean and presentable.

• Completing mowing, trimming and garden maintenance before functions.

• Preparing outdoor ceremony and photography areas.

• Removing leaves, branches and debris.

• Ensuring farm machinery and maintenance equipment are stored appropriately away from guest areas.

• Responding to urgent grounds or maintenance matters prior to events.

The level offered will depend on the successful applicant's skills and experience.

Typically suited to an experienced horticultural or farm worker capable of:

• Working independently on routine horticultural and farm duties.

• Operating common farm machinery and equipment.

• Undertaking pruning, mowing, weed control and irrigation maintenance.

• Completing allocated work with limited supervision.

• Identifying and reporting basic horticultural or maintenance issues.

May include greater responsibility for:

• More complex horticultural and agricultural tasks.

• Troubleshooting irrigation and machinery issues.

• Planning day-to-day work activities.

• Coordinating small work areas or seasonal tasks.

• Providing guidance to less experienced workers.

• Identifying maintenance priorities and recommending improvements.

May be suitable for a highly experienced applicant capable of:

• Taking responsibility for significant areas of horticultural or farm operations.

• Planning and coordinating olive grove maintenance programs.

• Organising seasonal activities including pruning, spraying and harvesting.

• Supervising or directing other employees or contractors when required.

• Monitoring quality, productivity and safety.

• Assisting management with horticultural planning and property improvements.

• Managing work priorities with a high degree of independence.

We are looking for someone who is practical, reliable and takes pride in their work.

You will ideally have:

• Previous experience in horticulture, agriculture, farming, landscaping, orchard work or large-property maintenance.

• Good practical knowledge of plants, trees and general horticultural practices.

• Experience using horticultural or agricultural machinery.

• Experience maintaining irrigation systems.

• Ability to identify plant-health and maintenance issues.

• Good mechanical aptitude and practical problem-solving skills.

• Strong understanding of workplace health and safety.

• Ability to work independently.

• Good organisation and time-management skills.

• Strong attention to detail.

• A willingness to perform a broad range of duties.

• Good physical fitness and ability to undertake manual outdoor work.

• Pride in maintaining a property to a high standard.

The following experience or qualifications would be advantageous:

• Certificate III, IV or other qualification in Horticulture, Agriculture or a related field.

• Previous olive grove, vineyard or orchard experience.

• Olive harvesting experience.

• Tree pruning and orchard-management experience.

• Tractor operating experience.

• Chainsaw experience.

• Agricultural chemical application experience.

• Irrigation installation or maintenance experience.

• Landscaping or grounds-maintenance experience.

• Mechanical or farm-equipment maintenance skills.

• Chemical-user accreditation.

• First Aid Certificate.

• Current Australian driver's licence.

• Tractor and farm-machinery operating experience is highly desirable.

• A varied role across horticulture, agriculture and estate maintenance.

• Opportunity to work with an established olive grove.

• Extensive landscaped grounds and gardens.

• A unique working environment combining farming and premium event-venue operations.

• Opportunity for experienced applicants to take greater ownership and responsibility.

• Long-term employment opportunity for the right person.

• Role classification between Level 3 and Level 5 depending on skills, qualifications and experience.

This is a physically active outdoor role.

The successful applicant must be comfortable with:

• Working outdoors in varying weather conditions.

• Regular walking around a large property.

• Lifting and carrying equipment and materials.

• Bending, pruning and repetitive horticultural work.

• Operating farm and horticultural machinery.

• Seasonal workload variations.

Some flexibility may occasionally be required around olive harvest periods and major events.

We want someone who takes ownership of their work and notices what needs to be done.

You should be able to recognise when an irrigation line is leaking, a tree needs attention, grass needs mowing, machinery requires maintenance or an area needs improvement without always waiting to be instructed.

For more experienced Level 4–5 applicants, we are particularly interested in candidates who can help plan work, solve problems and improve the overall operation of the olive grove and estate grounds.

Because L.A.C Estate regularly hosts weddings and events, presentation, attention to detail and pride in the property are essential.

Please submit your resume and a brief cover letter outlining:

• Your horticultural, farming or agricultural experience.

• Any experience with olive groves, orchards or vineyards.

• Machinery and equipment you are competent in operating.

• Irrigation experience.

• Maintenance or mechanical skills.

• Qualifications, licences and certificates held.

• Any experience supervising or coordinating other workers.

• Your availability to commence.

Location: Sunbury, Victoria
Position: Horticulture Farm Hand – Level 3 to Level 5
Classification: Based on experience, qualifications and demonstrated capability