Position Description
Bushland Crew Member
1. Position Identification
Position Title:
Bushland Crew
Member
Classification:
Band 3
Directorate:
Department:
Environment and
Engineering
Parks & Environment
Job Family:
Maintenance (MTC)
Date Approved:
March 2017
Position Number:
Reports to:
Budget
responsibility:
No. of direct
reports:
Delegation,
Authorisations and
Appointment:
{To
Corporate
be completed
Services
by HR
for new positions}
Bushland Management
Officer
$0
Not Applicable
Not applicable
2. Yarra Ranges Corporate Values
We are a values based organisation and behave in a way that is consistent with our organisational
values:
Our Values
Our Philosophy
Honesty and Trust
Clear and open communication
Creativity and Innovation
Customer Focus
We are committed to achieving excellence through improvement by applying the Business
Excellence Framework.
3. Position Purpose
Collaborate with Bushland team on works activities to achieve designated maintenance programs for
Bushland managed trails, reserves and roadside reserves
All positions will be required to undertake roles and activities related to Business Continuity and
Emergency Management in preparation for and during times of crisis.
4. Key Responsibility Areas
High-Involvement Team Member - Works cooperatively with others to accomplish group goals.
 Communicate clear information and instructions to other team members

Help a team achieve its goals by sharing information, involving team members in decisions, and
demonstrating commitment to the team

Anticipate problems or opportunities and take immediate action to address them

Set high standards of performance, quality, and accountability for oneself and others

Provide effective and efficient supervision and on the job training of trainees, apprentices and work
experience students. (on a day to day basis)

Provide guidance to conservation volunteers, community program participants, operational staff
and contractors in respect to on ground maintenance to ensure work is completed to Council
standards

Participate in cooperative team decision making.
Customer Service Provider - Provides service directly to internal or external customers.
 Quickly absorb new information and apply it when providing services to customers
 Clarify the nature of customer needs and then attempt to meet or exceed customer expectations
 Handle upset customers by hearing them out, empathizing, apologizing, and taking responsibility
for resolving the issues
 Clearly communicate instructions and information to customers
 Manage one’s time and resources to ensure that work is completed efficiently and on schedule
 Provide support, guidance and environmental advice as required to the organisation, external
stakeholders, customers, community and environmental groups and school groups
 Respond to work requests in a timely manner.
Machine Operator / Process Technician – Sets up, monitors, and runs equipment or machines.
 Quickly learn and apply knowledge and skills to operate equipment or systems
 Carefully follow established procedures, vigilantly watch over work processes, and initiate action to
correct quality problems
 Uphold safety standards, enforce safety regulations, and take action to report or correct unsafe
working conditions
 Carry out works as discussed with Bushland Officers and Bushland Works Leaders to achieve
designated maintenance programs for Bushland managed trails, reserves and roadside reserves.
This includes pest plant control, brushcutting, slashing, planting, mulching, pruning, litter collection
and structure repair

Select and operate appropriate equipment and machinery for designated tasks, in the most
productive manner according to agreed work practices

Maintain and use all plant and equipment in a safe manner according to OH&S principles

Identify any risks, report, make safe where possible, and/or rectify if practical

Work without supervision in a safe manner, using correct safety signage and other safety
procedures and requirements in keeping with OH&S principles
Results Driver – Takes the initiative to set and achieve challenging work goals; focuses one’s time
and energy to maintain high work standards.
 Perform mentally or physically demanding work with very little rest without losing effectiveness
 Anticipate problems or opportunities and take immediate action to address them
 Manage one’s time and resources to ensure that work is completed efficiently and on schedule
 Set high standards of performance, quality, and accountability for oneself and others
 Ensure compliance to Council standards, relevant codes, industry agreements and if required,
budget, time and environmental constraints

Engage in the investigation and implementation of sustainable practices associated with
maintenance
Experienced Industry Associate– Applies skilled industry knowledge to create work products or
implement work processes.
 Quickly understand and apply new industry knowledge and skills
 Carefully follow procedures and check work products to ensure that they are free from errors and
defects
 Uphold safety standards and correct conditions that affect employee safety
 Keep up with developments in industry and use this knowledge and skill to create work outputs
 Provide accurate and timely documents regarding works, timesheets and customer requests to
Bushland Officers and/or supervisor
 Ensure compliance with the Council’s Environmental Code of Practice and other related policies
and procedures in the delivery of maintenance works
5. Position Specific Specialisations






Knowledge of natural resource management techniques and principles
Knowledge of terminology and descriptions used within discipline.
Knowledge of indigenous and exotic flora and fauna, environmental weeds and their management.
Ability to undertake fixed asset and structure repair and maintenance.
Good working knowledge of selection and operation of small to medium plant and equipment.
Knowledge of basic fire ecology and management issues.
6. Position Banding Descriptors
Accountability and extent of authority
The freedom to act is limited by standards, practices and procedures
Is responsible for the care of Council assets
To provide on the job training and ensure safe working practices
Interpersonal Skills
Requires verbal and written communication skills with the public and/or other employees
including in the resolution of minor issues
Judgement and decision making
Tasks are clearly defined with some personal judgement required. Tasks will involve
choosing from a range of methods and processes.
Guidance is always available
Management
Basic supervision of employees, provide on the job training
Plan and organise one's own work, assist other employees in routine, procedural matters
Specialist Skills and Knowledge
Medium plant,
Trade work
Qualifications and Experience
On the job training - 12 months or more
Trade Certificate
7. Position Specific Qualifications/Memberships
Certificate III Conservation Land Management (or equivalent), with demonstrated experience OR
significant experience.
8. Selection Criteria
The selection criteria for this position consists of the below core and position specific competencies
(behaviours):
8.1 Core Organisational Competencies
Contributing to Team Success
Actively participating as a member of a team to move the team toward the completion of goals
Customer Focus
Ensuring that the customer perspective is a driving force behind business decisions and activities;
crafting and implementing service practices that meet customers’ and own organisation’s needs.
Continuous Improvement
Originating action to improve existing conditions and processes; identifying improvement
opportunities, generating ideas, and implementing solutions.
8.2 Position Specific Competencies
Adaptability
Maintaining effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work responsibilities or environment;
adjusting effectively to work within new work structures, processes, requirements, or cultures.
Energy
Consistently maintaining high levels of activity or productivity; operating with vigor, effectiveness, and
determination over extended periods of time.
Initiating Action
Taking prompt action to accomplish objectives; taking action to achieve goals beyond what is
required; being proactive.
Managing Work
Effectively managing one’s time and resources to ensure that work is completed efficiently.
Safety Awareness
Identifying and correcting conditions that affect employee safety; upholding safety standards.
Technical/Professional Knowledge and Skills
Having achieved a satisfactory level of technical and professional skill or knowledge in position-related
areas; keeping up with current developments and trends in areas of expertise.
Work Standards
Setting high standards of performance for self and others; assuming responsibility and accountability
for successfully completing assignments or tasks; self-imposing standards of excellence rather than
having standards imposed.
9. Conditions of Employment
Conditions of employment are in accordance with the Yarra Ranges Shire Council Enterprise
Agreement 2016 and the Yarra Ranges Council Corporate Code of Conduct.
Applicants will require the following:
 Medical Check – please refer to the Physical Requirements Section for details
 Current Victorian Driver’s licence
 Level II First Aid Certificate or equivalent
 Australian Chemical Users permit, desirable
 Trim and crosscut chainsaw training, desirable
 Tree Felling Level 1, desirable
 Traffic Management, desirable
 Medium Rigid licence, desirable
10. Physical Requirements
The applicant must possess the ability to perform set tasks, site visits and access areas at sites of
rough terrain such as un-constructed road reserves, crushed rock roads, bushwalking trails, bushland
roadsides & reserves.
The applicant must be able to carry out tasks including:
 Walking up to 2km max at any one time
 Operating machinery – Trucks, Tractors, Ride on mowers, etc
 Climbing on ladders to access large vehicles – Backhoe, Travel Tower
Ability to perform manual tasks including:



Lifting bags of herbicide drums, fencing materials, etc 10-20kg
Using manual tools – wheel barrow, shovels, etc
Using small plant - Wacker plates, chainsaws, brush cutters, etc
A pre-employment physical assessment must be conducted
This process assesses only the applicant’s capacity to perform the routine tasks relevant to the
functions of the position without injury to themselves or others. All information obtained will be
handled with the utmost respect for confidentiality.
Please Note: A physical requirement assessment is an appendix to this position description, see
Appendix 1.
Please refer to our website www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au for more information on our Corporate
Values, Diversity and Inclusion, Emergency Management and Occupational Health and Safety.
APPENDIX 1.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
TASKS INVOLVING REPETITIVE OR SUSTAINED POSTURES, MOVEMENTS OR FORCES.
Tick yes if the task requires any of the following actions to be done more than twice a minute or for more than 30
seconds at a time. Provide examples.
Bending the back forwards or sideways more than 20
degrees
Yes
0
Comments
Pruning, mulching, weeding, cleaning
Twisting the back more than 20 degrees
0
Pruning, mulching, weeding, cleaning
Backward bending of the back more than 5 degrees
0
Pruning, removing overhangs
Bending the head forwards or sideways more than 20
Degrees
Twisting the neck more than 20 degrees
0
0
Weeding, pruning, propagating, customer
service
Mulching, pruning
Bending the head backwards more than 5 degrees
0
Pruning, removing overhangs
Working with one or both hands above shoulder height
0
Pruning
Reaching forwards or sideways more than 30 cm from the
Body
Reaching behind the body
0
Raking, mowing, weeding, pruning
Squatting, kneeling, crawling, lying, semi-lying or jumping
0
Weeding
Standing with more of the body’s weight on one leg
0
Raking, mowing, weeding, pruning
Twisting, turning, grabbing, picking or wringing actions with
the fingers, hands or arms
Working with the fingers close together or wide apart
0
Pruning, raking, litter collection, mulching
0
Sawing, pruning, litter collection
Excessive bending of the wrist
0
Pruning, weeding
Lifting or lowering
0
Rubbish
Carrying with one hand or one side of the body
0
Carrying equipment, chairs, tables
Exerting force with one hand or one side of the body
0
Raking, mowing
Pushing, pulling or dragging
0
Gripping with the fingers pinched together or held wide apart
0
Wheelbarrows, large prunings, large
weed removal
Sawing, pruning
0
Weed bins, chain saw, blower
Very fast movements
Exerting force while in an awkward posture
Holding, supporting or restraining any object, person, animal
or tool
TASKS INVOLVING LONG DURATION.
Tick yes if any of the checked tasks above are done for more than 2 hours over a whole shift or continually for
more than 30 minutes at a time. Provide comments on type of tasks involved over a long duration.
0
Tasks of duration – weeding, pruning, raking, laying mulch, mulching prunings, propagation, hand mowing
TASKS INVOLVING HIGH FORCE.
Tick yes if the task involves any of the following high force actions
Lifting, lowering or carrying heavy loads
Yes
0
Comments
Wheelbarrows of soil, Branches, equipment
Applying uneven, fast or jerky forces during lifting, carrying,
pushing or pulling
0
Brushcutting, mowing, wheelbarrow
Pushing or pulling objects that are hard to move or to stop
(e.g. a trolley)
0
Plant trolley, wheelbarrows
Using a finger-grip, a pinch-grip or an open-handed grip to
handle a heavy or large load
0
Pruning
Exerting force at the limit of the grip span
0
Pruning
Exerting force with the non-preferred hand
0
Restraining branches during sawing
Two or more people need to be assigned to handle a heavy
or bulky load
0
Sleepers, branches
Exerting high force while in an awkward posture
0
Applying sudden or unexpected forces (e.g. when handling
a person or animal)
Needing to use two hands to operate a tool designed for
one hand
Throwing or catching
Hitting or kicking
Holding, supporting or restraining a person, animal or
heavy object
Jumping while holding a load
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS.
Tick yes if any of the following environmental factors are present in the workplace.
Yes
Comments
Vibration (hand-arm or whole-body)
0
Mowing, mulching prunings
High temperatures
0
Radiation heat
0
High humidity
0
Low temperatures
0
Wearing protective clothing while working in hot conditions
0
Wearing thick clothing while working in cold conditions (e.g.
gloves)
0
Hot days while attending inspections and site
meetings
Radiant heat from the sun while attending
inspections and site meetings
Potentially on hot or humid days while attending
inspections and site meetings
Cold days while attending inspections and site
meetings
Road safety jacket and elbow length shirts and
long pants and hats in sunny conditions
Storm conditions and cold days while attending
inspections and site meetings
Handling very cold or frozen objects
Employees working in hot conditions and are not used to it
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