Waste Operations Traineeship

Zeal Futures; Nowra; On-site; AUD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Nationally recognised training

Coaching, training & support

Health & wellbeing discounts

Counselling and mentoring

Opportunity to rotate across employers

Job summary

Zeal Futures is offering a Certificate III in Waste Management trainee position in Nowra, NSW, working with Shoalhaven City Council over 18 months. You will learn across recycling and resource recovery operations, including manual, mobile and fixed plant sorting, and duties across transfer areas and weighbridge facilities.

The role requires safety focus, teamwork, and a strong willingness to learn. A White Card, drivers licence, and pre-employment medical are part of the selection criteria.

Qualifications

• Good literacy and numeracy skills required.
• Demonstrated commitment to safety and quality.
• Proven ability to work as part of a team.
• Willingness to learn new skills and knowledge.
• Commitment to completing the traineeship.

Responsibilities

• Work within a diverse team in recycling and resource recovery operations.
• Perform recycling operations across manual, mobile plant, fixed plant and sorting equipment.
• Complete duties in transfer area, garden organics & bulky waste, weighbridge/gatehouse, buy-back centre and other duties.
• Operate earthmoving plant and heavy vehicles as required.

Skills

Literacy & numeracy

Safety awareness

Team player

Willingness to learn

Commitment to traineeship

Driver's licence

White Card (construction)

Pre-employment medical willingness

Education

Certificate III in Waste Management

Job description

Whilst studying a Certificate III in Waste Management working with Shoalhaven City Council over 18 months, you’ll have the opportunity to work on:

• Work within a diverse team in leading Recycling and Resource Recovery operation at Councils Recycling and Waste Facilities.
• Perform recycling operations in several ways from manual separation, to using mobile plant, to high tech fixed plant and sorting equipment
• Complete duties within different operational areas such as: Transfer area, Garden organics & Bulky Waste pick-up, Weighbridge/gatehouse, buy-back centre, recycling attendant duties and many more.
• Operate earthmoving plant and heavy vehicles

What we're looking for -

To be successful in this role, you'll need to meet the following selection criteria:

• Good literacy and numeracy skills
• Demonstrated ability for high safety standards
• Proven ability to work as part of a team
• Keen and enthusiastic about learning new skills
• Commitment to completing the traineeship

Must-haves -

• Demonstrate willingness to learn and develop new skills and knowledge
• Ongoing commitment to safety, quality, and principles of continuous improvement
• Ability to work without constant direct supervision and make sound decisions independently
• Current drivers licence (P1 preferred, but open to Learners working towards obtaining P1)
• WHS Construction Induction (White Card), or willingness to obtain
• Willingness to undergo a pre-employment medical (audiometry, spirometry, drug and alcohol screening, and functional capacity assessment)

Why Zeal Futures?

We do more than just get you a job. We employ you and back you the whole way – with training, mentoring, guidance, support and real career opportunities. Real income, real skills.

• Nationally recognised training
• Access to coaching, training & support
• Discounts on Health & Wellbeing services
• Counselling and ongoing mentoring
• Opportunities to rotate across employers for further exposure.

Applications close 28th August 2026.

Zeal Futures is an equal opportunity employer and proud Diversity Champion. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds – including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, women in trades, mature-age applicants, and people with disabilities or diverse cultural backgrounds. If you require assistance with the recruitment process (for instance, this may be filling out forms, interviews, or completing online tests), please contact your recruitment representative. We are happy to provide any necessary reasonable adjustments or assistance you may need. Please do not hesitate to ask for any help. We look forward to hearing from you.