horticultural trainee

Department for Environment and Water

Job reference: 708748

Location: ADELAIDE

Job status: Long Term Contract

Eligibility: Open to Everyone

Are you passionate about plants and eager to grow your horticultural skills in a world-renowned setting? The Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium of South Australia is offering an exciting three-year, full-time Horticultural Traineeship. This is a unique opportunity to work with some of South Australia's most significant botanical collections while gaining valuable hands-on training and professional experience.

About the Traineeship:

• Duration: 3-year training contract.
• Location: The Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium of South Australia (3 sites).
• On-the-job training: Work alongside experienced horticulturists at the Botanic Gardens' living collections.
• Off-the-job training: Learn at a registered training organisation to gain formal qualifications.

What You'll Do:

As a Horticultural Trainee, you'll play a key role in maintaining and developing the Botanic Gardens' living collections. You'll be involved in a wide range of horticultural activities, including:

• Planting and nurturing plants
• Pruning for growth and aesthetic appeal
• Fertilising to support plant health
• Mowing and maintaining lawns
• Weeding and controlling pests
• Edging garden beds and pathways
• Irrigation system maintenance
• Pest control and management
• Turf culture

Why Apply?

• Learn from the best: Work alongside a team of skilled horticulturists.
• Gain a nationally recognised qualification through off-the-job training.
• Be part of something special: Help preserve and develop the Botanic Gardens' remarkable plant collections.
• Enjoy diverse work environments: Gain experience across all three Botanic Gardens of South Australia sites.
• Contribute to meaningful environmental outcomes across the great state of South Australia.
• Join a fun, collaborative and supportive team.
• Receive free entry to DEW-managed parks throughout South Australia.
• Access our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for wellbeing support.
• Build a meaningful and rewarding career.

Skill and Knowledge Attributes:

• Identifies and defines problems relating to their daily work.
• Uses common sense and past experiences to approach problems and provide options to their manager for resolving the issue.
• Communicates early on if there are circumstances that will prevent them from meeting deadline.
• Check to ensure that procedures are followed or keeps clear detailed records of own activities.
• Open to new ways of working and to learning more about the horticultural industry.

Special Conditions:

• May be required to participate in responses to state emergencies or associated duties.
• You must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or provide evidence that you hold a valid working visa that allows you to work in Australia without restrictions.
• Wearing an organisational uniform during working hours and when representing the department is mandatory and is to be maintained.
• Current class "C" driver's licence and willingness and ability to safely operate a manual vehicle is essential.
• Regular attendance is required at a Registered Training Organisation as directed by the Botanic Gardens of South Australia.
• Prior to being employed, the successful applicant will be required to obtain a National Police Check.
• Prior to being employed, the successful applicant will be required to provide a Department of Human Services (DHS) working with children check (WWCC) which is required to be renewed every five years before expiry.

Contract:

Contract for up to 3 Years

Remuneration:

Traineeship (TCG) Training Wage Provisions apply.

$331.00 min - $750.00 per week

Enquiries to:

Mark Oborn, Manager Garden Operations

Application Instructions:

Applications are to be submitted online through I WORK FOR SA.

Please submit the following documents as part of your application:

• A covering letter
• A current résumé or curriculum vitae (including contact details for three referees)
• The completed 2025 Horticultural Traineeship Application Form
• The SA Public Sector Pre-Employment Declaration Form

The Department for Environment and Water is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We encourage applications from people with diverse backgrounds including all ages and gender identities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, people with disability, culturally and linguistically diverse and LGBTIQA+.

Applications close: 25/11/2025 11:45 PM