Salary:                                   $601.70 to $827.40 (Weekly wage is dependent on age and education level) plus 12% Superannuation 

Position Status:                    Full Time, Term Contract (4 Year Apprenticeship)

Hours of Work:                     7am to 4pm (during summer 6:30am to 3:30pm), 38 Hour week with RDO every fortnight. 

Closing Date:                        5.00pm Sunday 23 November 2025             

About Cowra & Council

Cowra is located within beautiful Central NSW on the banks of the Lachlan River. It is approximately one hour from the regional hubs of Bathurst and Orange, two hours from Canberra and four hours from Sydney. The town is situated at the intersection of three state highways; the Mid-Western Highway, the Olympic Highway and the Lachlan Valley Way, making it a central hub for travel, freight and logistics.

Covering 2810 square kilometres, the shire includes a number of small villages which feed into the Cowra township and contribute to the shires’ agricultural and cultural growth. These villages include Billimari, Darbys Falls, Gooloogong, Morongla, Noonbinna, Wattamondara, Woodstock and Wyangala. Cowra is a town with deep historical ties to Japan and is regarded as a centre for peace. Its public identity became a part of World War II history with the Cowra Breakout of 1944. This tragic event in the town’s history led Cowra to focus on promoting the values of friendship and reconciliation, something which the town still projects today.

Not only is Cowra a historical town, it is a town with a love for food and wine. It is surrounded by vineyards and grazing rich farmlands with quality restaurants and cafes, and also includes endless water and camping opportunities with Wyangala Dam only a short drive away. Cowra is a growing community with a number of primary and high school education options, health centres, sporting clubs, community groups and limitless weekend activities. It is the perfect place to raise a family, study, work or retire.

Cowra Council employs over 200 full time equivalent staff, our vision is to be a leading, innovative and creative community, proud of our place in history and offering opportunity with the best of country living. The region enjoys a range of economic, social, educational and health services with a welcoming community that embraces new members from all backgrounds. We strive to provide, maintain and extend Council services to improve the quality of life for residents throughout the Shire. We aim to actively lead, facilitate and foster sustainable development and wealth generating opportunities through agricultural, industrial, commercial and tourism growth.

About the Opportunity

An exciting opportunity exists for a highly motivated and enthusiastic person to join the Infrastructure & Operations Workshop team at Cowra Council, as a Apprentice Heavy Vehicle Mechanic. Applicants must have an interest in mechanics with a desire to successfully complete a four year apprenticeship and gain a Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology - Trade qualification. The successful applicant will learn a range of skills associated with the repair and maintenance activities of Council's plant and equipment including but not limited to;

• Diagnose and repair heavy vehicle engines
• Test and repair electrical circuits
• Service and repair fluid power systems
• Carry out mig, tig, stick and oxyacetylene welding, thermal heating and plasma arc cutting
• Diagnose, service and repair small motors and light vehicle engines
• Diagnose, service and repair of Battery Electric Vehicle, Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles & Hybrid Electric Vehicles

To be successful in this role applicants will have;

• School certificate (Completion of Year 10 onwards) or equivalent.
• Basic understanding of automotive systems and components.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and a passion for working with heavy vehicles.
• Excellent attention to detail and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment. 

The formal training for this apprenticeship is through one week block release in Dubbo over the first, second and third year of the apprenticeship. The one-week training sessions are for approximately six weeks each year. The successful applicant must be able to travel to Dubbo for the week blocks (accommodation will be provided) along with a willingness to undertake and complete TAFE study outside of the block training as required.

The Benefits

Benefits of working at Council include:

• Fortnightly Rostered Day Off (RDO)
• Four weeks of Annual Leave per year
• Access to Long Service Leave after five years
• Three weeks sick leave per year
• Corporate Wellbeing Programs, including Fitness Passport and Health and Wellbeing initiatives including two (2) Health and Wellbeing days per year.
• Employee Benefits Program 
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Paid parental leave

Position Details

• $601.70 to $827.40 (Weekly wage is dependent on age and education level) plus 12% Superannuation
• Four Year, Term Contract position
• 7am to 4pm (during summer 6:30am to 3:30pm), 38 Hour week with RDO every fortnight
• Employment conditions are in accordance with the Local Government (State) Award.
• Candidates must have the right to live and work in Australia to apply for this position.

Position Description

Please click on the link for a full copy of the POSITION DESCRIPTION.

For further enquiries please contact Human Resources; hr@cowra.nsw.gov.au or 02 63402017.

Applications close 5.00pm, Sunday 23 November 2025.

How to Apply

Before you apply for this position, please read the position description carefully to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position. 

You will be required to answer questions relating to the selection criteria on the online application below, your answers will be accessed & rated, so please ensure you take time in providing your answers and give examples of demonstrated experience when requested. 

You will also be asked to attach your current resume which should include two referees. Please note that you cannot submit your application without attaching your resume.  A cover letter is not mandatory but may be added if so desired. 

Cowra Council is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion.  If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise at time of application. 

Pre-employment Screening

In the event you are shortlisted for an interview, and are then selected to progress to the next stage following interview, you must be prepared to undergo the following pre-employment screening processes as part of the selection process:

• A pre-employment physical examination, including hearing, drug & alcohol assessments
• Please include two work related referees in your resume for reference checking purposes - please ensure your referee details are current
• Council may also check authenticity of certificates and qualifications

Privacy Statement

As part of the recruitment process, Cowra Shire Council will be collecting information about you. This information is private information for the purposes of the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act. This information will be included in the recruitment file and only accessed by members of the Recruitment Selection Panel. 

Equal Employment Opportunity

Council aims to ensure fair, equitable and non-discriminatory consideration for all applicants, regardless of sex, ethnic or racial origin, or physical disability.