Cowra Council is excited to have 5 School Based Traineeships on offer commencing 2027 for local school students who will begin Year 11 in 2027. Are you looking to kickstart your career and obtain a nationally recognised qualification whilst receiving on the job training and continuing to complete Year 11 and 12 at school? Are you passionate and committed to completing a School Based Traineeship and successfully carrying out all of the necessary training requirements? Then one of our School Based Traineeships may be the perfect opportunity for you! Now’s the time to get your application in! Students will commence their School Based Traineeship in February 2027.

Council is pleased to offer school-based traineeships in the following areas; Civic Centre, Parks & Gardens, Waste Management, Civil Construction & Water and Wastewater Industries! 

School Based Trainee - Civic Centre Assistant; Certificate III in Events

In this position you'll assist in the daily operations of the Civic Centre. Responsibilities will include assisting with coordinating event setups, providing customer service to visitors, managing bookings and ensuring the facility is well-maintained. 

Position Description

School Based Trainee - Parks & Gardens; Certificate II in Horticulture

This position undertakes labouring duties associated with the maintenance of our Parks & Gardens section. Duties include mowing, whipper snipping, mulching and weeding, turf preparation, irrigation work, spraying, planting and tree maintenance, flower bed preparation including planting and attending to flowers as well as the operation of small plant and equipment associated with the role including chainsaws & ride on mowers. Applicants with a P1 licence or working towards a P1 licence are preferred. 

Position Description

School Based Trainee - Material Recycling Facility Attendant; Certificate III Waste Management

In this role, you'll support the operations of our material recycling facility. Responsibilities involve working on the sorting line to process recyclable materials, performing customer service at the weighbridge and monitoring equipment.

Position Description

School Based Trainee - Civil Constriction (Roads Maintenance); Certificate II in Civil Construction

In this role the you'll assist in providing high level service within the Maintenance Section. Duties will include concrete and asphalt work, manual handling and general labouring along with the operation of plant and equipment associated with the role. Applicants with a P1 licence or working towards a P1 licence are preferred. 

Position Description 

School Based Trainee Water & Wastewater Treatment Plants; Certificate II in Water Industry Operations

This position will assist with operating and maintaining Council's Treatment Plants in accordance with regulatory requirements. Duties will include, assisting with the monitoring of flow meters, taking samples & carrying out routine analyses, performing routine servicing and cleaning of storage facilities, plants and pipes and assist with the repair of faults in water supply and storage systems.

Position Description

To be successfully considered for a School Based Traineeship, you will have:

• Relevant work experience or demonstrated prior knowledge will be highly regarded in the area you are applying for.
• Commencing Year 11 in 2027.
• Commitment to working one day per week during school terms and additional days during school holidays to achieve your 100 days of paid employment by October 2028.  
• Ability and demonstrated commitment to undertake the relevant qualification. 
• Ability to reliably travel to and from work.
• Willingness to contribute toward the success of your team.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills.
• Strong work ethic with a commitment to health, safety and environmental work practices.
• The ability to follow direction and procedures, while showing initiative. 
• Hold, or be actively working towards obtaining, a driver's licence.

Position Details 

• $16.46 to $22.64 per hour, wage is dependent on age.
• 12% Superannuation
• Two-year traineeship, with employment concluding upon completion of 100 days of paid employment.
• Hours of work for outdoor staff are 7:00am to 4:00pm (summer hours are 6:30am to 3:30pm).
• Hours of work for indoor staff are 8am to 4:45pm
• Employment conditions are in accordance with the Local Government (State) Award.

Further Enquiries

For any further enquiries please contact Tiffany, Manager - Human Resources on 02 6340 2101 or hr@cowra.nsw.gov.au

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 and 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.

Candidates must have the right to live and work in Australia to apply for this position.

If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise at time of application. 

Applications Close: 5.00pm, Monday 28 September 2026

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 referees in your resume for reference checking purposes - please ensure your referee details are current.

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

Cowra Shire Council is an Equal Opportunity Employer that fosters diversity, equity, and inclusion. We welcome candidates from diverse backgrounds and experiences, as we believe in building an inclusive work environment that reflects the community we serve.