Apprenticeship - Parks and Gardens

Located 20km west of Sydney on Dharug country, with a population of 240,000 residents, Cumberland City Council is the fourth most populous Local Government Area in Greater Sydney. Cumberland boasts one of the most diverse communities in Australia, with people from many different backgrounds and cultures living alongside one another.

Our people are focused on driving community outcomes, programs and services to innovate, inspire and deliver change for the community we represent and has worked hard to fulfil its community's vision for Cumberland as a place where anyone can feel welcome, belong and succeed.

Cumberland City Council is proud to offer an Apprentice - Parks and Gardens position in line with the 'fresh start for local government apprentices, trainees and cadets' in conjunction with the NSW Government. This apprenticeship offers a combination of on-the-job work experience combined with the completion of a nationally recognised qualification, Certificate III Horticulture, through TAFE or a Registered Training Organisation (RTO).

The Apprentice - Parks and Gardens role is responsible for undertaking activities that will assist in the maintenance of Council's City Open Spaces including passive parks, sportsgrounds, recreation facilities, bushland and riparian areas and ensure that these open spaces remain in excellent condition, safe and suitable for use by the community to assist in ensuring customer and community satisfaction with Council's parks operations.

The successful applicant will require:

• Demonstrated ability to deal in a positive and courteous manner with the public and other workers.
• Good verbal and written communication skills – ability to write clearly and neatly when completing necessary paperwork
• Ability to work as part of a team with good interpersonal skills
• Sound knowledge and practical application of WHS principles and the Work Health and Safety legislation
• Basic computer skills
• Demonstrated basic level of understanding of horticulture or greenkeeping.
• General Induction Construction Card (White Card) (or willing to obtain).

Download the position description here for more information.

About this role:

• Term contract, full-time position for a period of up to four (4) years
• 35 hours per week, working across a spread of hours ranging from 5:30am to 3:00pm
• Access to Council's 9 day fortnight Rostered Day Off (RDO) arrangement
• Located at Council's Auburn and Guildford Depots, with occasional travel required across Council worksites, and may be required to work across any of Council's work locations

Salary information: The salary and conditions of employment are in accordance with the NSW Local Government (State) Award.

• This position is placed in Cumberland's Trainee Salary Structure with a salary range of $659.17 to $909.14 per week, dependent upon schooling completed, plus 12% superannuation

Eligibility criteria:

• Applicants must be able to work and study in Australia to be eligible for an apprenticeship or traineeship. Please note that Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS) Visa Subclass 482 does not allow the holder to study in Australia.
  
  For more information regarding eligibility please click here.
• Applicants can be new to an apprenticeship, or have completed 50% or less of the nominal duration of their apprenticeship and are not currently employed by another organisation as an apprentice.
• Applicants must not have completed the same or a higher qualification in the same field.

• We promote work-life balance and offer flexible working arrangements including working from home opportunities or an additional five (5) days' leave for front-facing roles that are unable to access working from home arrangements
• Training and professional development opportunities available to develop skills and grow your career
• Leave entitlements including annual leave,15 days personal leave per year, parental leave and access to Long Service Leave after five (5) years (where applicable)
• Three (3) additional grant days of paid leave over Christmas (where applicable)
• Corporate Health Insurance discounts
• Health and Wellbeing Programs to support our staff by providing access to online professional learning, paid leave to undertake annual skin checks, COVID-19 vaccinations and to donate blood
• Subsidies to assist with the cost of wellness and fitness activities
• Free access to Council owned swimming pools
• Access to Council's Fitness Passport Program and Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

Council adheres to the principles of a child safe organisation and is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people, and fully supports the aims and objectives of NSW Child Protection Legislation, and associated provisions. Council will implement all necessary measures to ensure a safe and supportive environment, which endeavours to promote child protection practices. It is essential for applicants to submit their WWCC number with their application, if required, and it is an offence under NSW legislation for barred workers to apply for or otherwise attempt to obtain, undertake or remain in child-related employment.

Cumberland City Council is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, reflective of the community it represents. Council welcomes and encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, and is committed to providing an accessible and safe workplace for our staff through making reasonable adjustments. If you have any accessibility or support requirements throughout the recruitment process, please contact the hiring manager during the application process.

What you'll need to have for this role:

• The right to live and work in Australia
• Be able to provide information for pre-employment checks required for the position
• Participate in health monitoring as outlined in the risk assessment for this position and Council's Health Monitoring Procedure, as required
• Provide evidence of your vaccination status as part of the employment screening process, in accordance with Council's COVID-19 Vaccination Procedure.

Enquiries: Telephone Brad Horn, Manager Open Spaces on or for further information.

Closing date: 11:59pm, Tuesday 11 November 2025

HOW TO APPLY

To submit your application for this position, please complete the questionnaire. You'll be asked to attach your resume and any relevant qualifications (if required) to complete your application. Make sure you have these attachments ready before you apply as your application cannot be submitted until completed.