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 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's an area of great natural beauty - stretching west from the picturesque coastline to rolling pastures, set against the majestic backdrop of the Illawarra escarpment. 

Our dedication to be financially sustainable in an evolving environment, while striving for a great organisational culture and committing to employing staff who embrace our core values, has made Shellharbour City Council an employer of choice.

We have been recognised with numerous state and national awards in recent times, including eight wins for our First Nations Community the Yirran Muru (many pathways) playspace, as well as being presented as winners in the NSW Landscape Architecture Awards, Regional Achievement Awards, and Parks and Leisure Australia Regional Awards of Excellence.

We offer:

Shellharbour City Council offers a high performing and sustainable organisation to deliver outcomes for the community through leadership, collaboration and innovation. We have exciting, rewarding career opportunities and flexible working arrangements to support a healthy work/life balance. 

• 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
• Compulsory course costs are paid by Council
• Approved leave to attend TAFE
• Great culture with a strong, values led and progressive team 
• Enjoy our employee benefits programs and access to Novated lease options and significant retail discounts and corporate fitness programs, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Provident Fund activities, weekly pay run and more. 
• Access to local government and employee 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
• You will need to obtain a General Construction Induction Card (White Card) prior to commencement

For further information about the position, click here for the position description.

Contact: Joshua Perry, Team Coordinator - Tree Management on 0417 569 769.

Closing date: Wednesday, 24 September 2025 at 11:30pm.

Interview Schedule: Group interviews are scheduled for Tuesday, 14 October 2025. Candidates progressing to the next stage will be invited to attend second-round interviews during the week commencing 27 October 2025.  

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.

Once you start your online application, you may save and return to this later, however incomplete applications will not be considered. You may wish to prepare your responses in a word document and then COPY and PASTE into the fields below. Your Resume and qualifications can be attached on the NEXT page.

When you have submitted your application, an email confirmation will be sent to your nominated email address. Please ensure you have the correct email address and check your inbox (including your "junk" inbox). 

For further information about the selection process including tips on how to address the selection criteria, please view our Guide To Applying.

Shellharbour City Council is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values the unique strengths and talents of all people.  Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and people with a disability are encouraged to apply.

At Shellharbour City Council we promote respect at work as a fundamental right for all, and strive to create a workplace free from discrimination and harassment.  This commitment extends to the promotion of the rights of all children and young people to be safe from harm when interacting with our services and spaces. Our values, Collaboration, Accountability, Integrity, Respect and Sustainability underpin all we do.

Your decision to apply for a role at Shellharbour City Council is the first step in acknowledging your alignment to our values and aspirations to create a great workplace.