Title of Position: Grounds Person

Type of Appointment: Permanent Full-time

1 Context

Established in 2001 in a picturesque setting in Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast, Pacific Lutheran College is a leading K-12 learning community that is innovative, dynamic and progressive. Firmly underpinned by the values and traditions of excellence of Lutheran Education in Australia, students have achieved outstanding success in the academic, sporting and cultural dimensions of their lives. Enrichment programs in all three areas have enabled students to explore their potential.

Pacific has established a strong academic culture, which promotes thinking, deep understandings and creativity based on the learnings of Harvard’s Teaching for Understanding and Visible Thinking frameworks. The synergy of these programs with the research of positive psychology and Lutheran theology provides for a rich whole of life learning culture.

Unique experiences provided through the College’s excellent outdoor education, pastoral care and personal development programs, and the opportunities provided through academic, sporting and cultural learning, support an enriching whole of life education. Active involvement in local and international community service projects broaden young people’s world view and sense of efficacy.

Our staff take advantage of flexibility in physical and virtual spaces to support an increasingly personalised approach to learning for our young people. Pacific has a seamless curriculum across Kindergarten to Year 12 with teams of teachers working across the four subgroups of the College. Staff are expected to learn collaboratively to contribute to a whole school approach as they lead learning in the Foundation College (Kindergarten-Year 2), Junior College (Years 3-5), Middle College (Years 6-9) and Senior College (Years 10-12).

2 Role Description The Grounds Person works collaboratively with the Operations Manager and other members of the Grounds and Maintenance Team to maintain the College’s grounds, sporting fields, landscaped areas, facilities, plant and equipment to a high standard. The role contributes to a safe, functional, welcoming and well-presented environment that supports student learning, College activities and community engagement.

As a staff member within a Christian school, the Grounds Person is expected to support and contribute to the growth of a strong Christian faith learning community through personal example, respectful relationships and professional conduct.

The Grounds Person is a hands-on operational role and is directly responsible to the Operations Manager. The role works within established College procedures, maintenance programs, Work Health and Safety requirements and directions provided by the Operations Manager.

Roles and duties may be adjusted through negotiation in response to the changing demands of the position and associated roles.

A key part of this position is maintaining a professional, positive and productive learning and work environment. The incumbent is expected to operate with a high degree of professionalism in keeping with the College’s policies and procedures. In particular, the following professional behaviours and duties are expected:

Strengthening Lutheran Identity

- Support and contribute to the growth of a strong Christian faith community through personal example, respectful relationships and professional conduct. This may include participation in staff worship activities, devotions and retreats.

- Support the Lutheran ethos, values and mission of the College.

Enhancing Excellence in Learning

As an enabler of learning within the College, the Grounds Person is expected to:

- Prepare and maintain sports field surfaces, grounds and landscaped areas to provide safe, functional and high-quality environments for learning, sport and College activities.

- Perform regular and corrective maintenance on College plant, equipment, buildings and grounds within the scope of the role and in accordance with established maintenance programs.

- Set up and remove equipment and facilities for sporting, learning and College events as directed.

- Undertake landscape and field renovation works and other grounds improvement activities as required.

Engage in Ongoing Improvement and Innovation The Grounds Person will be committed to ongoing improvement and innovation by:

- Engaging in ongoing professional learning to maintain and develop knowledge, skills, licences and competencies relevant to the role and College priorities.

- Contributing practical ideas and observations that may improve grounds, maintenance, safety, sustainability and work practices.

- Participating in team planning,



review and continuous improvement activities as required.

- Supporting environmentally sustainable practices in relation to grounds maintenance, water use, waste, recycling and the responsible use of resources.

Community Building The Grounds Person contributes to the building of community through the following:

- Promoting and valuing the College as a welcoming, respectful and effective learning community.

- Providing a high standard of service and interacting warmly, respectfully and professionally with students, staff, families, contractors, visitors and members of the broader community.

- Supporting the setup, pack down and presentation of facilities and grounds for College and community activities and events.

- Adhering to the College’s Code of Conduct and maintaining appropriate professional boundaries when interacting with children and students.

- Contributing positively to the Grounds and Maintenance Team, including sharing tasks, supporting colleagues and responding flexibly to changing operational priorities.

Leading Effective Organisation and Management

As a member of the Grounds and Maintenance Team, the Grounds Person is expected to contribute to the effective organisation and management of College grounds and facilities by:

- Completing allocated grounds, maintenance and facilities tasks to a high standard and within required timeframes.

- Working collaboratively with the Operations Manager and Grounds Team to prioritise and complete planned and reactive maintenance tasks.

- Using the College’s maintenance request system and other digital systems relevant to the role as required.

- Implementing established maintenance programs and schedules as directed.

- Operating a range of tools, plant, machinery and equipment only where appropriately trained, competent and authorised.

- Maintaining tools, plant and equipment in a clean, safe and serviceable condition and promptly reporting faults or defects.

- Maintaining high standards of housekeeping across work areas, storage areas, grounds and amenities.

- Assisting approved contractors and tradespeople with site access or operational requirements when directed, while referring contractor supervision and compliance matters to the appropriate manager.

- Supporting holiday works, events and other operational requirements as reasonably required.

- Undertaking other tasks and responsibilities, within the scope of the role, as directed by the Operations Manager or Business Manager.

3 Work Health and Safety The Grounds Person has an key role in maintaining safe grounds, facilities and work practices. The incumbent is expected to:

- Perform work safely in accordance with College policies, procedures, training, Safe Operating Procedures, Safe Work Procedures and lawful instructions.

- Identify and promptly report hazards, unsafe conditions, defective equipment, incidents, injuries and near misses through the College’s required reporting processes.

- Follow reasonable Work Health and Safety instructions issued by managers and supervisors and observe all warning signs, exclusion zones and notices.

- Participate in risk assessments, hazard identification, incident investigations and corrective actions when requested.

- Use appropriate personal protective equipment, clothing and footwear and ensure equipment safeguards are used as required.

- Operate plant, machinery, vehicles and equipment only when appropriately trained, competent, licensed where required, and authorised to do so.

- Maintain good housekeeping standards and ensure work areas are left safe, clean and free from avoidable hazards.

- Seek instruction before undertaking unfamiliar work or tasks where hazards, controls or safe methods are unclear.

- Follow requirements for the safe handling, storage and use of chemicals and hazardous substances relevant to the role, including Safety Data Sheet and PPE requirements.

- Not wilfully or recklessly interfere with or misuse anything provided for workplace health and safety.

- Cooperate with and participate in WHS training, consultation, inspections and other activities designed to maintain a safe and healthy workplace.





- Ensure personal injuries and incidents are reported immediately to the appropriate supervisor and College delegate.

4 Commitment to Child and Cultural Safety

Pacific Lutheran College, Pacific Lutheran Early Learning Centre and Pacific Lutheran College Outside Hours School Care (OSHC) are committed to providing environments where children and students are safe, supported, and able to thrive.

We have zero tolerance for child abuse, harm, neglect, or exploitation in any form. The safety and wellbeing of children and students is our highest priority and the paramount consideration in all decision making involving children and students.

We recognise that safeguarding children and students requires deliberate, consistent action. This includes maintaining strong systems, building capability across our workforce, and ensuring that concerns are taken seriously and acted upon without delay.

We are committed to

- acting with the safety, wellbeing and best interests of children and students as the paramount consideration at all times;

- meeting the 10 Child Secure Standards in every part and activity of our organisation;

- creating culturally safe environments that are free of racism and discrimination, and upholding the right to cultural safety of all children, and especially those who are Aboriginal persons or Torres Strait Island persons (the universal principle);

- creating and maintaining environments that prevent harm and reduce risk through strong governance, supervision and safe practices;

- listening to, respecting, and taking seriously the voices of children and students;

- responding promptly and appropriately to concerns, disclosures, or allegations, including through fair and child-centred processes;

- complying with all legislative and regulatory child safety obligations, including mandatory reporting and the Reportable Conduct Scheme.

This commitment will be communicated to children, students, families and staff. Pacific Lutheran College, Pacific Lutheran Early Learning Centre and Pacific Lutheran College Outside Hours School Care (OSHC) will maintain accessible pathways for raising concerns.

We are committed to regular training and educating our workers (including staff, volunteers, contractors, and leaders) on child and cultural safety. We do not tolerate child abuse or harm, racism or discrimination. We will take the steps necessary in line with our policies, procedures, risk management practices and codes of conduct to ensure that we maintain child and culturally safe environments.

All workers (including staff, volunteers, contractors, and leaders) share responsibility for child safety and wellbeing and are expected to uphold this commitment in their roles.

5 Selection Criteria The successful applicant will need to demonstrate or have the capacity to develop the capabilities described below:

SC1 Demonstrated skills which reflect the ability to support the Christian ethos of the College.

SC2 Sound knowledge and practical experience in turf, grounds maintenance and horticulture is desirable.

SC3 Sound knowledge and practical experience in minor building and general maintenance is desirable.

SC4 Demonstrated ability to safely operate and maintain gardening, grounds and maintenance machinery, plant, tools and equipment in accordance with Work Health and Safety requirements.

SC5 Demonstrated commitment to safe work practices, including hazard identification, incident reporting, use of PPE, following safe work procedures and participating in risk management activities.

SC6 Well-developed interpersonal and teamwork skills, with the ability to communicate respectfully and effectively with management, staff, students, contractors, visitors and other members of the College community.

SC7 Basic digital literacy skills, including the ability to access and use the College’s maintenance request system and other systems relevant to the role.

SC8 A commitment to ongoing learning, professional growth, child safety and culturally safe practice.

A trade background, relevant building or maintenance licences, or other relevant technical qualifications are not essential but would be highly desirable.

6 Conditions

Employees must have or be eligible to acquire a Blue Card and maintain their Suitability to Work with Children requirements. Salary and related conditions are in accordance with the Ancillary Staff Level 4 of the Queensland Lutheran Schools Single Enterprise Agreement. Please feel free to contact the Business Manager in relation to any queries regarding your application.

Applicants should address the selection criteria and email their application to Dr Bronwyn Dolling, Principal, Pacific Lutheran College, via *@pacluth.qld.edu.au, by 12pm Monday 24th August 2026.

📌 Grounds Person (Meridan Plains)
🏢 Pacific Lutheran College
📍 Meridan Plains