Temporary Full-Time (Minimum Two Years)

Are you ready to start your career in Environmental Science? Be supported and make a difference as a Cadet Environmental Science Officer with Lake Mac Council!

Earn while you learn – Get paid while you study a Degree in Environmental Science, Landscape Architecture or another relevant area

Gain valuable skills while being mentored by highly skilled professionals

Make a difference and positively contribute to our community

Lake Macquarie City Council is one of the largest employers of training positions in the Hunter region. The Cadet Environmental Science Office is part of Council’s Early Careers Program – designed to provide you with on-the-job experience, mentoring and support from highly skilled professionals, all while you complete a formal qualification. Additional benefits include paid course fees and paid study time while gaining valuable skills and experience. Earn while you learn and kick-start your career with Lake Mac Council!

ABOUT THE JOB

This Cadetship is a minimum of two-year program, where we will support you to complete a Bachelor of Environmental Science, Landscape Architecture or another relevant area. As the Cadet Environmental Science Officer, you will support the Development, Assessment and Certification department, assisting specialists to provide professional ecological, heritage and tree assessment advice across a range of developments and application types. Training will be provided both on the job and at your university campus. We will support you to study part-time (two courses), whilst working a full-time role.

In this role, we will support you to:

Assist in reviewing development applications and provide technical advice to colleagues and external customers

Provide support for processing, assessing and determining a range of applications including development applications and public works certificates. Tasks may include site inspections, preparing reports and coordinating with Council departments and external authorities

Monitor and review relevant planning instruments, strategies, policies, and guidelines to reflect changing legislation and community expectations.

The position is located at Councils Temporary Administration Centre at Wallsend and may involve travel to multiple areas within Lake Macquarie. The hours are flexible, Monday to Friday.

Read the position statement to learn more.

Candidates who have completed a Bachelor's degree or higher in Environmental Science (or a related field) may not be eligible to apply for this cadetship.

WHAT WE OFFER

Receive a wage whilst studying towards a qualification starting from $1,109.55 per week plus 12 per cent superannuation

Payment of university fees (including course and amenities fees) for the remainder of your related undergraduate studies

All course fees will be fully covered starting from the first full semester completed with Council.

Receive paid time during your 35-hour work week to study and attend compulsory classes as part of your cadetship

Yearly pay reviews and increases based on performance

35-hour working week with the option of flexible workdays

Four weeks paid annual leave

Be mentored and work closely with Team of qualified professionals in a supportive, empowering, innovative and collaborative work environment

At Lake Macquarie City Council, we value our staff and the hard work they do. In return we offer a range of benefits click here to view more benefits on offer

ABOUT YOU

We are looking for people who:

Are currently completing or have completed the first two years of a relevant tertiary qualification such as Environmental Science, Natural Resources, Town Planning, Landscape Architecture, Biodiversity and Conservation, or a similar field

Have a genuine passion for environmental science and a strong interest in contributing to Council’s development assessment processes

Be committed to completing your degree over the next two years and eligible to enrol in the third year of study in 2026

Bring strong communication skills, with the ability to collaborate professionally across all levels of the organisation

Have a keen eye for detail and be confident using digital tools, such as Microsoft 365

Hold a Class C Driver’s Licence.

HOW TO APPLY

If this job sounds like you, we would love to hear from you! Get your application in by midnight, Sunday 28 September 2025.

Check out the FAQs and Guide to Applying before starting your application.

Click the ‘Apply Now’ button below to start your application. You will need to upload a resume and provide responses to application questions based on the position statement.

For enquiries about the role, contact Patricia Kinney, Development Planner Heritage, 02 4921 0655 or via email [email protected].

You will hear back from us by Wednesday 1 October and interviews will be held on Wednesday 15 October.

To view the Capability Framework – Role Profile relevant to this role, please click here

If you need assistance with your application, any adjustments to be made to the recruitment process or if you would like to discuss any accessibility requirements, please contact Isabelle Field, Early Careers Advisor for a confidential discussion on 02 4921 0022 or via email [email protected] or click here for more information.

Our people shape the future of our city. We’re proud of our city and the work we do to make our city even better for the community, and we know you will be too. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating a safe and inclusive workforce that empowers our staff to be creative, innovative, bold and most importantly – to be yourself! We welcome and encourage applications from all ages and genders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from culturally diverse backgrounds, the LGBTIQ+ community, refugees, and people with disability. We understand the skills and attributes veterans can bring to our Council.

As part of the recruitment process, prior to an offer of employment being made, recommended candidates may be subject to a medical assessment which may include alcohol and other drugs testing.