Apprentice Horticulturist

Kempsey Shire Council; Kempsey; On-site; AUD 26,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Rostered Day Off

Fitness Passports

Flexible work arrangements

Job summary

Kempsey Shire Council on the NSW Mid North Coast seeks two Apprentice Horticulturists to join the Civic Services Team. You will work towards a Certificate III in Horticulture, Parks and Gardens (or equivalent) through TAFE while gaining hands-on experience across parks, cemeteries, and landscaped areas.

Join a dynamic council environment, develop practical horticultural skills, and support public spaces. This is a temporary full-time role for three years with a 38-hour week and a long weekend

Qualifications

• Completed Year 10, with Year 12 preferred.
• Willingness to undertake a Certificate III in Horticulture, Parks and Gardens (or equivalent).
• Genuine interest in horticulture, gardening and grounds maintenance.
• Ability to work effectively in a team and follow instructions.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Undertake and complete a Certificate III in Horticulture, Parks and Gardens (or equivalent) through TAFE.
• Gain hands-on experience across parks, sporting fields, cemeteries, and landscaped areas.
• Carry out mowing, edging, pruning, planting and maintenance tasks.
• Line marking of sporting fields and garden bed maintenance.
• Assist with minor repairs to park equipment and facilities, and operate relevant machinery.
• Provide friendly, professional customer service and complete WHS paperwork.
• Participate in team and toolbox meetings.

Skills

Genuine interest in horticulture

Team player

Willingness to learn

Education

Certificate III in Horticulture, Parks and Gardens (or equivalent)

Year 10 completed (Year 12 preferred)

Job description

Love working outdoors? Turn your passion for plants, gardens and the great outdoors into a career!

Council is seeking two enthusiastic and motivated Apprentice Horticulturists to join our Civic Services Team.

This is a great opportunity toearn while you learnand work towards aCertificate III in Horticulture, Parks and Gardens (or equivalent)through TAFE, while gaining valuable hands‑on experience across some of Kempsey Shire’s parks, sporting fields, reserves, cemeteries, road reserves and landscaped areas.

Working alongside experienced team members, you’ll develop practical horticultural and parks maintenance skills while helping keep our public spaces safe, attractive and enjoyable for the community.

What you’ll do:

As an Apprentice Horticulturist, you will:

• Undertake and successfully complete aCertificate III in Horticulture, Parks and Gardens (or equivalent)through TAFE.
• Gain hands‑on experience across parks, sporting fields, reserves, cemeteries, road reserves and landscaped areas.
• Carry out general horticultural duties including:
• Mowing, whipper snipping and edging.
• Tree planting, pruning and maintenance.
• Line marking of sporting fields.
• Garden bed maintenance and mulching.
• Litter collection and general grounds maintenance.
• Minor landscaping and construction works.
• Assist with the maintenance of playgrounds and other public facilities.
• Carry out minor repairs to park equipment, street furniture and playgrounds, as well as painting works.
• Operate vehicles, machinery and plant as required, following appropriate training and safety procedures.
• Provide friendly, professional and timely customer service.
• Complete routine workplace documentation including timesheets, leave forms, plant sheets and Work Health and Safety (WHS) forms.
• Participate in team and toolbox meetings.

For a full list of the Key Accountabilities of the role, please refer to the Position Description.

Your New Role:

Love working outdoors? Turn your passion for plants, gardens and the great outdoors into a career!

Council is seeking two enthusiastic and motivated Apprentice Horticulturists to join our Civic Services Team.

This is a great opportunity toearn while you learnand work towards aCertificate III in Horticulture, Parks and Gardens (or equivalent)through TAFE, while gaining valuable hands‑on experience across some of Kempsey Shire’s parks, sporting fields, reserves, cemeteries, road reserves and landscaped areas.

Working alongside experienced team members, you’ll develop practical horticultural and parks maintenance skills while helping keep our public spaces safe, attractive and enjoyable for the community.

What you’ll do:

As an Apprentice Horticulturist, you will:

• Undertake and successfully complete aCertificate III in Horticulture, Parks and Gardens (or equivalent)through TAFE.
• Gain hands‑on experience across parks, sporting fields, reserves, cemeteries, road reserves and landscaped areas.
• Carry out general horticultural duties including:
• Mowing, whipper snipping and edging.
• Tree planting, pruning and maintenance.
• Line marking of sporting fields.
• Garden bed maintenance and mulching.
• Litter collection and general grounds maintenance.
• Minor landscaping and construction works.
• Assist with the maintenance of playgrounds and other public facilities.
• Carry out minor repairs to park equipment, street furniture and playgrounds, as well as painting works.
• Operate vehicles, machinery and plant as required, following appropriate training and safety procedures.
• Provide friendly, professional and timely customer service.
• Complete routine workplace documentation including timesheets, leave forms, plant sheets and Work Health and Safety (WHS) forms.
• Participate in team and toolbox meetings.

For a full list of the Key Accountabilities of the role, please refer to the Position Description.

About You:

We’re looking for someone whoenjoys working outdoors, has a genuine interest in horticulture and is keen to learn new skills.

You will ideally have:

• CompletedYear 10, with Year 12 preferred.
• A genuine interest in horticulture, gardening, parks and grounds maintenance.
• A willingness and commitment to complete aCertificate III in Horticulture, Parks and Gardens (or equivalent).
• The ability to successfully complete both the theory and practical components of your apprenticeship.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• A positive attitude and willingness to learn.
• The ability to work effectively and cooperatively as part of a team.
• A strong commitment to workplace health and safety.
• A willingness to participate in training, toolbox meetings and ongoing workplace development.
• A reliable and responsible approach to work, with the ability to follow instructions and complete tasks to a high standard.

Essential requirements

You will also need:

• A currentDriver Licence, or willingness to obtain and maintain one.
• AGeneral Construction Induction Card (White Card), or willingness to obtain one.
• A willingness to undertake all training and development identified as necessary for the role.

About Us:

Kempsey Shire Council (KSC) is located on the Mid North Coast of NSW, known for its genuine hospitality, pristine beaches, sub‑tropical rainforests, mountain ranges, rock river gorges, sprawling farmland and peaceful villages.

We are a progressive, proactive and dynamic organisation, and we pride ourselves on the respectful and supportive workplace we have cultivated. With 360+ dedicated staff managing $1.8 billion worth of assets across many sites throughout the Shire, KSC work closely with our community to build an inspired, connected Macleay Valley.

Why Join Us?

As the successful candidate, you’ll enjoy:

• A temporary full-time position for three years, 38‑hour work week over 4 days
• Rostered Day Off every Monday or Friday giving you a long weekend every weekend!
• Weekly salaryof $501.30 to $1279.60 (plus superannuation).
• Learning from experienced tradespeople, developing practical skills and knowledge from qualified and experienced Council staff.
• Variety every day! Get hands‑on experience across gardening, planting, pruning, turf management, weed control, irrigation and general grounds maintenance.
• Being part of something bigger. See the direct impact your work has on the appearance, amenity and enjoyment of the local community.
• A working environment focussed on wellbeing, including flexible work arrangements, rostered days off, EAP access, social club, and health and wellbeing programs.
• Fitness Passports for discounted access to a range of gym and pool facilities.
• Career development and learning opportunities.
• A supportive, collaborative working environment designed to help you grow!
• A fantastic lifestyle and work life balance, on the beautiful Mid‑North Coast.

Applications Close: COB Friday, 2 October 2026

Please note that Council reserves the right to close this job advertisement before the stated closing date if a suitable candidate is found. Therefore, we encourage all interested applicants to submit their applications as soon as possible.

Have questions? Please contact Steve Pellen - Coordinator Civic Services for a confidential discussion onPh: 02 6566 3200.

Please Note:

Our recruitment notification process is primarily via system generated emails. Please ensure your email is correct before submitting your application to avoid missing crucial updates.

Completion of a pre‑employment medical assessment is a requirement of KSC’s recruitment process for this position

Kempsey Shire Council is an equal opportunity employer and we celebrate our diverse, inclusive and values‑led workforce. We welcome and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with diverse culture and linguistic backgrounds and people with a disability. In addition, Kempsey Shire Council will provide reasonable adjustments for suitably qualified individuals with disabilities. If you require additional assistance to participate in the recruitment process, please discuss with the advertised contact person. You can ask for reasonable adjustments to be made at any time during the recruitment process.