Plant Operator

Department: Roads

Reports to: Supervisor Roads

Salary Range: $65,198 - $75,771 per annum + superannuation

Are you an experienced and versatile operator who thrives in a hands-on, outdoor environment?

Want a role where no two days are the same?

Warrumbungle Shire Council is looking for skilled and versatile Plant Operators to join our dedicated Roads team!

As a Plant Operator, you’ll be an essential part of our road construction and maintenance crew, operating a variety of machinery across different worksites throughout the Shire. This is a hands-on role ideal for someone who enjoys variety in their day-to-day work, with responsibilities ranging from operating plant and machinery to supporting road construction and maintenance activities across the Shire.

From graders to front end loaders, rollers and tip trucks, this is a diverse and dynamic role offering real variety, responsibility, and the opportunity to contribute to improving infrastructure in our local community. You’ll be involved in road and pavement construction, equipment transportation, traffic control, and general site preparation and clean-up. Your ability to work independently and safely, follow instructions, and contribute to a positive team culture will be key to your success. Your ability to adapt and operate multiple types of plant and machinery will be highly valued, and you’ll be supported by a proactive and safety-focused team environment.

To be successful, you’ll need demonstrated experience operating road construction plant, a valid HR driver’s licence, and a white card. It would be ideal if you have a Traffic Controller ticket, but if you don't you must be willing to obtain it.
A front end loader and roller VOC are required, while additional VOCs for grader or excavator, and a Certificate III in Civil Construction are highly desirable. Most importantly, you’ll bring a strong understanding of work health and safety and a proactive attitude to maintaining machinery and equipment.

At Council, the work you do matters. You'll be joining a close-knit, experienced crew that's known for working well together, supporting one another and stepping in to help each other whenever needed. It's a positive, hardworking environment where everyone pitches in, shares knowledge and takes pride in delivering quality outcomes to the community. 

Please click here to view the position description - Coonabarabran.

Please click here to view the position description - Coolah and Dunedoo.

With positions available in Coolah, Dunedoo and Coonabarabran, you can enjoy the best of regional NSW living across three welcoming country communities. Each location offers a relaxed lifestyle, affordable living, strong community spirit, quality schools and essential services, surrounded by beautiful landscapes and abundant opportunities for outdoor adventure. From the natural beauty of Coolah Tops and the Warrumbungle region to Coonabarabran’s world-renowned dark skies, these towns provide a rewarding balance of career, community and lifestyle, while remaining within easy reach of larger regional centres.

Selection criteria include:

• Demonstrated capability operating and maintaining road plant, including roller, tip truck and front end loader (these are absolute essentials), loaders, graders and excavators. 
• Knowledge of road construction and maintenance techniques.
• Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to WHS, RMS standards, and SafeWork NSW requirements.
• Ability to undertake truck driving duties, including loading, unloading, securing materials, and performing daily servicing checks.
• HR drivers licence is essential - an HC would be even better!
• Ability to work as part of a team and contribute to a positive and safe workplace culture.
• Current Traffic Controller Ticket and Implement Traffic Control Plans Ticket would be a plus.
• Demonstrated sound oral and written communication skills.
• OHS Construction Induction Certificate (white card). 

It's a plus if you have a Certificate III in Civil Construction, current First Aid qualifications and demonstrated ability to safely and competently operate a grader and excavator on road construction and maintenance worksites (VOC would be great!).

Why join Warrumbungle Shire Council

Warrumbungle Shire Council offers more than just a job — we provide the opportunity to build a stable, long-term career while enjoying genuine work-life balance, strong team support, and a rewarding regional lifestyle.
As part of Council, you’ll join a workplace that values professionalism, safety, collaboration, and continuous development, while supporting the essential services and infrastructure that keep our communities thriving.

Council offers a wide range of employee benefits designed to support your wellbeing, career growth, and lifestyle, including: 

• Long service leave available after 5 years
• Fortnightly RDO (9 day fortnight)
• Paid parental and concurrent parental leave
• Generous leave provisions
• Opportunities to purchase additional leave or access deferred leave arrangements
• Ongoing training, mentoring, and professional development opportunities
• Access to thousands of free online learning courses
• Weekly pay cycle
• Salary packaging options to help maximise your take-home pay
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) available to employees and immediate family members
• Health and wellbeing initiatives including flu vaccinations, hearing tests and skin cancer checks 
• PPE provided

Warrumbungle Shire is strategically positioned on the Newell Highway, a short drive from Tamworth, Mudgee and Dubbo, and just over 3 hours from Newcastle, making Warrumbungle Shire a great place to live and work. Covering an area of more than 12,000km², and with a population of nearly 10,000, Warrumbungle Shire Council is one of the larger Local Government Areas in Central West NSW, home to the townships of Coonabarabran, Coolah, Dunedoo, Binnaway, Baradine and Mendooran.

With a rich history and stunning landscapes including spectacular mountain ranges, waterfalls, ancient sandstone caves, gorges, and beautiful plains, our scenic location amongst friendly country communities provides an ideal setting for those looking to balance a country lifestyle and career. 
At Warrumbungle Shire Council we offer a broad variety of jobs with a range of benefits and career development opportunities within Local Government. The guiding principles of honesty, integrity, fairness and compassion form the spirit of the team along with respect, transparency, passion, trust and opportunity is how Warrumbungle Shire Council strengthens its working environment to deliver on the aspirations of our community. 

Council is proud to be an equal opportunity and child safe employer with a commitment to our staff, and our vision is Excellence in Local Government. 

How to apply

Please provide sufficient detail in your answers to the questions as this information is used to assess your suitability for interview.

1. Scroll down and complete the fields below. Note: Fields marked with a red asterisk* are mandatory.
2. Click ‘Next’
3. Attach your resume, covering letter and copies of your qualifications
4. Click ‘Next’
5. Review your application and click ‘Confirm’ to submit your completed application

You will receive an email acknowledgement to confirm receipt of your application. You will receive email notifications regarding the status of your application. It is important that you regularly check your email to ensure you do not miss any notifications from Council. It is also recommended that you check your spam or junk folder and consider adding careers@warrumbungle.nsw.gov.au to your email address book to ensure you do not miss any correspondence in regard to your application.

Council's normal practice is to appoint at the entry salary for the grade. A higher commencing salary may be approved where an applicant can demonstrate significant directly relevant qualifications, skills and experience.

Applications close at 11.00 pm Sunday 25 October 2026.

Interviews are expected to be held 5 November 2026. The final date will be confirmed with preferred candidates after applications have closed and shortlisting has been completed.

For enquiries, please contact Human Resources on 6849 2000.

Applicants should note that Criminal History Checks, as well as alcohol and drug testing, are conditions of employment.