Aboriginal Trainee Environmental Health Officer

Lismore City Council; Goonellabah; On-site; AUD 60,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid study leave

Tutoring support

Payment of university fees

Job summary

Lismore City Council invites applications for a Trainee Aboriginal Environmental Health Officer. This six-year traineeship combines full-time employment with university study to obtain a Bachelor of Science (Environmental Health) through Western Sydney University, with paid study leave, tutoring support and university fees paid for completed subjects.

There is a strong focus on community health, inspections, and education, with mentoring from experienced Environmental Health Officers and

Qualifications

• Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person by descent and identity.
• Eligible to enrol in the Bachelor of Science (Environmental Health) at Western Sydney University.
• Commit to completing the degree part-time while working full-time.
• Demonstrate good communication and written skills.
• Be able to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
• Hold a current drivers licence.
• Willing to travel for up to one week at a time, several times per year.

Responsibilities

• Assist with inspections of onsite sewerage management systems, food premises, swimming pools, skin penetration businesses and other regulated facilities.
• Respond to community enquiries and assist in investigating complaints.
• Support community education initiatives that promote and protect public health and the environment.

Skills

Communication skills

Written skills

Teamwork

Independent worker

Driver's licence

Education

Enrolment in BSc Environmental Health

Job description

Trainee Aboriginal Environmental Health Officer

Our vision is powered by a deep commitment to enhancing the quality of services we offer to our community. Today, Lismore is flourishing, and it's the perfect time for those who live, work, and play here to embrace and celebrate everything that makes Lismore so special.

We warmly welcome individuals who bring fresh perspectives and unique skills, helping to enrich our collective vision for a vibrant and thriving community.

About this Opportunity:

Kick-start a rewarding career making a real difference in your community. As an Trainee Aboriginal Environmental Health Officer, you will earn while you learn, combining full-time employment with university study to build a recognised professional qualification in environmental health.

Over the six-year traineeship, you will work alongside experienced Environmental Health Officers who will support and mentor you every step of the way while you complete a Bachelor of Science (Environmental Health) through Western Sydney University. We will invest in your success through paid study leave, tutoring support and payment of university fees for subjects successfully completed.

You’ll gain hands‑on experience both in the office and out in the community, undertaking inspections of businesses and public facilities, responding to customer enquiries, investigating environmental health issues, and helping educate the community on matters that impact public health and wellbeing.

This is more than a traineeship. It's a unique opportunity to build a meaningful long‑term career, gain valuable practical experience, achieve a university qualification, and play an important role in protecting the health, safety and environment of our community while strengthening Aboriginal representation in local government.

What We can offer you:

• The opportunity to gain a Bachelor of Science (Environmental Health) through part-time, distance study with Western Sydney University.
• Paid study leave and tutoring support.
• Payment of university fees for all subjects successfully completed.
• Structured, hands‑on training and mentoring in the workplace.
• The opportunity to connect and learn as part of the NSW Health Aboriginal Environmental Health Officer Trainee Network..

What we trust you to deliver:

• Assist with inspections of onsite sewerage management systems, food premises, swimming pools, skin penetration businesses and other regulated facilities.
• Respond to community enquiries and assist in investigating complaints.
• Support community education initiatives that promote and protect public health and the environment.

What you will need to be successful:

• Be an Aboriginal and/or Torres strait Islander person by descent and identity and be recognised as such by the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Community.
• Be eligible to enrol in the Bachelor of Science (Environmental Health) at Western Sydney University.
• Be committed to completing the degree part-time while working full-time.
• Demonstrate good communication and written skills.
• Be able to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
• Hold a current drivers licence.

Be willing and able to travel for up to one week at a time, several times per year, to attend university residential schools, work placements and training programs.

Learn more about being an Trainee Aboriginal Environmental Health Officer - https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/aboriginal/training/Pages/becoming-a-trainee.aspx

Full Time: 70 hours a fortnight

Salary: A salary starting at $1,169.90 per week + superannuation

Conditions of Employment: Conditions of employment are in the Local Government (State) Award and relevant Council policy, procedures and agreements.

Pre-employment Screening: Prior to employment, there will be a series of pre-employment checks that may include, drug and alcohol testing, health assessments, validation of qualifications and licences, criminal history checks, psychometric assessments and referee checks.

Immunisation Program: Council has an immunisation program to provide employees with vaccinations against known health risks associated with their respective duties and to identify any exposure to products that may affect an employee’s health, fitness and wellbeing. This position has been identified as a risk to the employee and as such the successful applicant/s will be required to participate in the immunisation program and it is the applicant’s responsibility to have undertaken relevant immunisation/s prior to commencement with Council.