Environmental Field Worker (Yellow Crazy Ants)

About the Role

This fixed-term full-time position sits within the Infrastructure and Operations division, specifically the Construction Maintenance and Operations section. The assignment runs until 29 June 2027 and follows a 9-day fortnight, with a 38-hour workweek. The base pay is $33.64 per hour, with superannuation plus overtime and penalty rates depending on the work carried out. Any additional allowances, overtime, or other entitlements are separate from the advertised base rate.

The role is based at Dalrymple Road Depot in Garbutt, Townsville, Queensland. It is a hands-on field position supporting the Yellow Crazy Ant Management Program, where you will help protect the local environment by detecting, monitoring, and treating infestations across varied locations including farmland, remote mountain terrain, residential properties, roadsides, parklands, and industrial areas.

What You’ll Do

Working as part of a small, close team under an experienced Crew Leader, you will carry out practical field tasks to support invasive ant management. The work involves surveying sites, monitoring infestation activity, applying treatments, and using your understanding of Yellow Crazy Ant behaviour, lifecycle, and spread patterns to help prevent further impact.

You will also use field tools and technology such as backpack blowers, GPS devices, radios, traps, microscopes, tablets, and Microsoft Office software. The position combines outdoor work, physical activity, accurate observation, and data reporting.

Experience and Capabilities

The ideal applicant will be comfortable working in remote and challenging environments, including bushland, farmland, untracked mountain areas, and operational sites such as roadsides, construction zones, and industrial properties.

You should be able to operate light plant, machinery, and other equipment used in Yellow Crazy Ant control activities, communicate clearly in both spoken and written form, work well with others, solve problems effectively, follow instructions closely, and record field observations accurately. Familiarity with Microsoft tools and field equipment such as GPS units and data loggers is also expected.

Mandatory Requirements

Applicants must either hold, or be able to obtain, the following:

• A valid Positive Notice Blue Card for working with children in Queensland
• A Townsville City Council Authorised Persons and Local Government Worker Card
• A current manual C-class driver licence
• A Construction Industry White Card (30215 QLD)

Desirable Background

Additional advantage will be given to candidates with a Certificate III in Conservation and Land Management, or an equivalent qualification, as well as a current First Aid and CPR certificate.

About the Employer

Townsville City Council is the largest local government authority in Northern Australia. The organisation places strong emphasis on work-life balance, an inclusive culture, and meaningful community impact.

Employment Terms and Conditions

• This is a fixed-term role up to 29 June 2027.
• The work pattern is a 9-day fortnight with 38 hours per week.
• Base pay is $33.64 per hour, with superannuation added separately.
• Overtime and penalty payments may apply depending on duties performed.
• The Council offers a 13.5% employer superannuation contribution for contributing members, provided the employee contributes at least 6% of ordinary time earnings.
• Annual wage progression applies.
• 5 weeks of annual leave plus 17.5% leave loading.
• 3 weeks of personal/carer’s leave.
• 14 weeks of paid parental leave.
• Domestic and family violence leave.
• Natural disaster leave.
• Uniforms and PPE are supplied where applicable.
• Salary sacrifice options are available.
• Learning and development opportunities are offered, including on-the-job learning and formal training.
• Access to the Fitness Passport program with discounted membership at selected health and wellbeing facilities.
• Employee Loyalty Program with discounts at selected local businesses.
• Employee Assistance Program support is provided.

Application and Recruitment Information

Applications should include a cover letter of no more than 2 pages explaining how your skills, qualifications, and experience align with the role, along with a resume confirming relevant licences and qualifications.

Successful applicants will be required to complete drug and alcohol testing as part of the recruitment process. The employer maintains a zero-tolerance approach to drugs and alcohol in the workplace.

Previous unsuccessful candidates do not need to apply again, as this position has been re-advertised.

For role-specific enquiries, the contact person is Lisa, Senior Team Leader, and the contact email provided is lwe@townsville.qld.gov.au. Requests for recruitment adjustments or accessibility support can be directed to hr_recruitment@townsville.qld.gov.au or by phone on 07 4727 9004 for a confidential discussion.

An attachment titled Technician Ecology_PD.pdf is referenced for further position details.

Inclusion Statement

The Council encourages applications from people with diverse backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with diverse gender identities and sexualities, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people with disability, and veterans.

Application Deadline

Applications close at 11:45pm on Thursday, 9 July 2026.