Arboriculture Trainee

Join to apply for the Arboriculture Trainee role at Illawarra Mercury.

Love the outdoors? Learn to care for trees and shape green spaces and become our next Arboriculture Trainee.

Learn the trade of Arboriculture (Tree Surgery) in a team of skilled tree professionals conducting pruning, rigging, tree removals including tree felling and tree planting projects to green our city, keeping it well presented and maintained.

Based at our Oak Flats Services Depot, you will support the Open Spaces team and gain practical skills across our three tree crews. You will gain experience in rigging, knot tying and the safe use of operating small plant such as a commercial woodchipper/mulcher, chainsaw and other tools and equipment.

This three (3) year traineeship will cover theoretical and practical requirements with on-the-job training while you complete a Certificate III in Arboriculture course at Yallah TAFE to gain and develop practical knowledge and skills associated with working as an Arborist.

This opportunity is open to school leavers, mature age applicants, second year apprentices and/or those who have already commenced their Certificate III in Arboriculture.

Our continuing commitment to expand our Cadet, Apprentice and Traineeship (CAT) program will aim to grow Council's skilled workforce capacity by creating job opportunities and a talent pipeline for specialised roles. This is our third stage of this expansion of a number of new roles created, with a focus on the Open Spaces team.

Council's Cadet, Apprentice and Trainee (CAT) Program aims to grow Council's skilled workforce capacity by creating job opportunities and a talent pipeline for specialised roles and to develop future leaders by providing employment opportunity and professional development experiences that support and complement a related course of external tertiary study. Council's cadets, apprentices or trainees receive ongoing training, guidance and support from workplace mentors while completing a nationally recognised qualification. For more information on our CAT program, click here.

About Us Shellharbour City, located in the Illawarra region, is just 80 minutes south of Sydney and is home to over 82,000 people in a city that spans 154 square kilometres. It is an area of great natural beauty with diverse landscapes and strong community values.

Shellharbour City Council is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values the unique strengths and talents of all people. We encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and people with a disability to apply. Our values are Collaboration, Accountability, Integrity, Respect and Sustainability.

Temporary Full time up to 3 years (or for the duration of the traineeship) 38 hours per week with access to a 9 Day-fortnight. Salary range up to $838 per week (range between $412.70 per week to $838.00 per week - depending on highest year of school completed and years out of school) Plus 12% superannuation. On-the-job training and compulsory course costs paid by Council. Approved leave to attend TAFE. Great culture with a strong, values-led and progressive team.

Employee benefits include novated lease options, retail discounts, corporate fitness programs, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Provident Fund activities, weekly pay and more. Local government benefits such as long service leave after five years, three weeks sick leave per annum, health and wellbeing leave, and more.

Please Note You will need to complete a Pre-placement Medical examination and obtain a General Construction Induction Card (White Card) prior to commencement. For further information about the position, view the position description. Contact: Joshua Perry, Team Coordinator - Tree Management on 0417 569 7.

• Closing date: Wednesday, 24 September 2025 at 11:30pm. Interview Schedule: Group interviews are scheduled for Tuesday, 14 October 20.
• Candidates progressing to the next stage will be invited to attend second-round interviews during the week commencing 27 October 20.
• Apply now. Complete the application below by answering the questions, describing how your skills and experience are relevant to the position.

Your resume and qualifications can be attached on the next page. You may save and return to your application. Incomplete applications will not be considered. You may prepare responses in a Word document and copy-paste into the fields. An email confirmation will be sent after submission. Please check your inbox (including junk mail).

For more information about the selection process including tips on addressing the selection criteria, view our Guide To Applying. Shellharbour City Council is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values the unique strengths and talents of all people. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and people with a disability are encouraged to apply. We promote a workplace free from discrimination and harassment and uphold safeguarding for children and young people interacting with our services.

Our values: Collaboration, Accountability, Integrity, Respect and Sustainability.

Note: Seniority level and job function/industry details appear in the original postings but are not essential to the applicant experience.

Location context: Coniston, Wollongong and Shellharbour area job postings were included for visibility; eligibility and location may vary by posting.