A great lifestyle in a treasured environment, this is life at PSC!

The opportunity

Own your future with an Apprenticeship at Port Stephens Council (PSC)! Our Apprentice Parks & Gardens role is the perfect opportunity for an enthusiastic candidate, looking to combine their love of the outdoors with their career.

Not only will you gain invaluable on the job work experience from your experienced team mates, you will also undertake a Certificate III in Parks and Gardens, working toward becoming a specialist in the Horticulture field!

Your Apprenticeship will see you gain experience with general maintenance duties, including mowing operations, turf/garden maintenance and renovations, landscaping and horticulture, and asset inspections.

Throughout your Apprenticeship, you’ll receive financial support in a paid role, including full payment for your studies, and time in your work week to attend your formal training. You will also have the opportunity to participate in our internal networking events, where you can meet and socialise with PSC’s Apprentices, Cadets and Trainees in order to develop your own professional and social networks!

This is a contract opportunity – working full-time 38 hours / week over 4 days + access to study leave to attend courses at your formal training provider during work hours.

Base Salary Range: $34,740 to $62,543 pa based on 38 hours / week + 11.5% superannuation + $2,312 retention allowance

You will be working from Raymond Terrace Depot

Some of the key responsibilities within this role are listed below however you can view the full list here – view the position description.

Undertake grounds maintenance and improvement activities within work schedules including vegetation management, landscaping and horticulture, etc.

Operate horticulture equipment including ride-on mowers, brush-cutters and path edgers

Work in alignment with Council’s safety policies and procedures

We’re all about putting the right people, in the right role! Here’s what we’re looking for:

Demonstrated commitment to the completion of a Certificate III in Parks & Gardens

An understanding of Work Health and Safety (WHS)

Access to reliable transport for attendance at both work and external training providers

Ability to work in a team environment

This is life at PSC!

Work/Life balance with generous leave entitlements, flexible work options and leave in lieu

Paid Parental Leave so you can spend more time with your new little human

Confidential support (including mental health) through our employee assistance program

Award winning health and wellbeing program PSCare, Workers Health Initiative with access to a broad range of gyms in the area, and discounted health insurance

Free parking on site

And lots more…

Enough about us, we want to hear about you! So tell us about…

Why you want this role and how it aligns with your career goals?

Ready to Apply? Here’s what you need to know

Applications Close: Midnight, Sunday, 22 June 2025

For position related enquiries, contact: Dave Roberts, Parks Supervisor, on 0409 713 744

For Apprenticeship or Application enquiries, contact: Brooke Tisdell, Talent Acquisition Advisor, on 4988 0589.

For information on our recruitment process, and what we look for in an application, please visit our Careers page on our website for ‘How to Apply’

To complete your online application, you will be asked to upload a copy of your resume and provide responses to questions which are based on the criteria listed in the Position Description and our organisation Values

We’re a 2024 Circle Back Initiative Employer – we commit to respond to every applicant

We’ve partnered with the Veterans Employment Program to support veterans finding suitable, sustainable and meaningful employment

Port Stephens Council adheres to the principles of a child safe organisation and supports children and young people having safe and welcoming experience in our community, accessing our facilities and in our care

We acknowledge the Worimi as the original Custodians and inhabitants of Port Stephens. May we walk the road to tomorrow with mutual respect and admiration as we care for the beautiful land and waterways together