Leading Hand Plant Operator

• Permanent / Full Time

• Salary: $59,129 - $66,470 gross p.a. plus 12% Super plus Adverse Working Conditions allowance of $1,013.48 gross p.a.

• 38 hours per week with a 9 day fortnight / Monday to Friday

• Bomaderry Works Depot, McIntyre Way, Bomaderry

• Applications close: Monday, 6 April 2026 (at midnight)

About the Role
Are you an experienced plant operator with leadership skills and a passion for civil construction and maintenance? Shoalhaven City Council is seeking a Leading Hand Plant Operator to join our Northern Maintenance team.

As a Leading Hand, you’ll operate plant and light trucks, perform routine manual labour tasks, supervise up to two staff, and support the delivery of maintenance and construction projects across the Shoalhaven. You’ll work on a variety of assets including roads, drainage, footpaths, parks, and recreational facilities.

Reporting directly to the Northern Roads Maintenance Supervisor, the key responsibilities of this role include:

• Operate and maintain plant equipment including Rollers, Excavators, Light Trucks, Backhoes, chainsaws, plate compactors, jack picks, concrete saws, electric power tools etc.
• Supervise and support team members in daily operations

• Undertake manual tasks including but not limited to shovelling, screeding, raking, digging, lifting and traffic control

• Conduct risk management inspections using mobile devices
• Respond to emergencies and participate in call-back roster

Please refer to the Job Description under the Job Attachments for a comprehensive list of duties, responsibilities and skills required.

Being available to be on-call and complete reasonable overtime is a requirement of this position.

About You
To be successful in the position, you will have:

• School Certificate or equivalent
• Experience in civil construction/maintenance
• Demonstrated experience operating minor and major plant and/or light trucks
• Current NSW MR Driver’s Licence
• Current Traffic Control cards or willingness to obtain
• NSW General Construction Induction card (White Card)
• Proof of Right to Work in Australia
• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills

* Certificate II or III in Civil Construction, Chainsaw ticket, NSW RMS ‘Prepare a Work Zone Traffic Management Plan’ certificate or First Aid certificate are not essential but desirable*

How to Apply
To submit an application, click Apply and complete each Step of the application. You will be required to attach your resume (and cover letter if required) and responding to questions regarding general information about you.

In addition, you will be required to demonstrate how you satisfy the requirements of the position by answering the below questions relevant to the essential criteria as outlined in the job advertisement.

1. At Shoalhaven City Council our corporate core values are: Collaboration, Adaptability, Integrity and Respect. Please choose one value and why this resonates with you.
2. Can you give an example of a time that you have had to coordinate a team to complete a task.
3. Please describe the various types of plant and machinery you have experience operating and an estimated number of operating hours for each.

Applicants who progress to pre-employment checks may be required to undergo a Qualification Check, Work Rights Verification, Reference Checks and Medical (High Risk). Employment is subject to satisfactory outcomes for all required checks.

For tips and more information on how to submit a great application, please visit how to apply on Councils website. If you require assistance submitting your application, please contact the Talent Acquisition Team on 02 4429 3203.

Applications Close: Monday, 6 April 2026 (at midnight)

If you have any questions about this role, please contact Scott Hughes – Northern Roads Maintenance Supervisor - 02 4429 3778

Why Work with Us
The Shoalhaven area is a unique place of great natural beauty, offering an enviable lifestyle and positive work-life balance. Our workforce is our greatest asset, and we pride ourselves on our people. Our teams are talented and inclusive and work together to provide better outcomes for our community, who are at the heart of everything we do. With a diverse range of professions and roles, we offer many career options and pathways, actively promoting opportunities and encouraging staff professional development.

Benefits include:

• 4 weeks annual, 3 weeks sick leave and 2 Health and Wellbeing days per annum

• Option of flexitime for indoor staff

• 9 day fortnight for outdoor staff

• Flexible and remote working arrangements

• Long Service Leave after 5 years

• Novated lease arrangements available

• Opportunities for professional development and training

• Corporate wellbeing programs, including Fitness Passport and Employee Assistance Program (EAP), discounted health insurance

**Conditions apply as per the Local Government State award, and Council policies

At Shoalhaven City Council, we are proud to foster a workplace that reflects the diverse community we serve.
We welcome applicants of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds, and encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, veterans, people with disability, culturally diverse individuals, and LGBTQIA+ community members to apply.
We are committed to ensuring a equitable recruitment processes. If you have a disability and require reasonable adjustments to fairly demonstrate your skills, please contact us.
As a Child Safe Organisation, we are committed to upholding the rights of children and young people and ensuring a safe and respectful environment for all.