Apprentice Greenskeeper & Sportsfields

Tweed Shire Council is offering exciting new paid positions for people of all ages and abilities. This is your chance to gain invaluable experience and a recognised qualification while you earn.

About the Apprenticeship:

Tweed Shire Council is proud to offer an Apprenticeship with our Parks & Active Communities team. As an apprentice, you'll gain hands-on experience while completing a Certificate III in Sports Turf Management. 

As an Apprentice Greenskeeper & Sportsfields, you will support in maintaining and enhancing sports fields and turf wickets, contribute to the upkeep and development of parks and gardens, undertake minor landscaping projects, operate and maintain irrigation systems and small equipment—all while working efficiently, safely, and with a strong commitment to environmental responsibility. 

In order to meet the requirements of the Apprenticeship, successful completion of training and studies is required. 

What you'll do:

• Assist in the establishment, development, and maintenance of Council’s sports fields and turf wickets.
• Prepare seed beds for new turf.
• Establish turf through watering, sowing, seeding, and repairing weed damage.
• Mow, roll, and level turf surfaces.
• Operate power tools such as mowers, aerators, cultivators, and line marking equipment.
• Operate and maintain pressurised irrigation systems.
• Maintain turf by repairing, fertilising, and top-dressing lawns.
• Collaborate effectively with sports clubs and Council staff.

What's on offer:

• A full-time position for a maximum period of up to 48 months, commencing July 2025.
• A starting base salary ranging from $32,973 to $62,358 per annum +11.5% super. Salary progression is based on satisfactory completion of study plus work performance.
• Council will cover the associated course costs.
• Paid work placement while you learn.
• 76 hour fortnight, 9 day fortnight.
• Leave entitlements including annual leave, sick leave and public holiday pay.
• Training and professional development opportunities available to develop skills and grow your career.
• Ongoing coaching, mentoring and support.
• Flexible work options for a healthy work/life balance.
• Access to Health and Wellbeing Programs to support our staff.
• Generous employment conditions (we have too many to list - click here for more).

We are seeking:

• A genuine interest in turf management, horticulture, or landscape maintenance.
• Completed Year 10 Education.
• Competent written and verbal communication skills.
• A positive attitude and self-motivated.
• A current car driver's licence.
• The ability to apply skills and training effectively.
• A strong capacity to work collaboratively as part of a team.
• A demonstrated commitment to working safely.

About us:

• Located on the picturesque far North Coast of NSW, bordering the Gold Coast.
• The Tweed is a vibrant, diverse location offering a lifestyle near the water, in a rainforest or on a farm.  
• Tweed Shire Council is committed to employment equity and diversity and encourages applications from people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds in both traditional and non-traditional roles.  We provide workplace adjustments for people with disability, and access to flexible work options. 
• Join an employer of choice. Professionals Australia (Local Government Engineers’ Association) has named Council the 2021 Employer of Choice for our great employment practices within NSW local government. 

Where it's located:

This position is based in Murwillumbah and can be directed to work from any Council work site.

Position closes: 

Friday 6 June 2025 at 12 noon sharp (NSW time).  Late applications will not be permitted.

TIPS for Addressing the Selection Criteria

Click here for more information on the Recruitment Process

Click here to view our Values

Pre-Employment Screening:

Tweed Shire Council conducts pre-employment assessments as part of its recruitment process. 

Job offers are not made until screening has been completed. Tweed Shire Council uses third-party providers to undertake:

• Pre-employment medical – some roles require a functional (physical) assessment, and all positions are subject to drug and alcohol screening (a positive test result means the recruitment process ends and your application will not be considered).
• Background screening - verifies that the information you have provided throughout the recruitment process is true and correct.  Click here for more information.

Reference Checks are undertaken by the panel. Your 2 referees should ideally be your current and most recent supervisors.  Your referees are not contacted unless you’ve been interviewed and are a preferred candidate.

How To Apply:

You must use your own email address, and not one used previously by another person that has applied for a position with council.

Once you start your online application, you cannot save and return to it later. 

1. Have your Resume document ready to go.
2. Fill out all questions below. Click 'Next'. 
3. You'll then be prompted to attach your resume and other documents (if applicable). Click 'Next'.
4. Review your application to confirm everything is correct. Click 'Confirm' to submit your application.

If you'd like to COPY and PASTE question fields into a separate Word document to work on over time, please find them listed below:

1. Why are you interested in working at Tweed Shire Council, and what excites you most about this particular opportunity?
2. Are you willing to undertake studies in a Certificate III in Sports Turf Management? 
3. What interests you about turf management, horticulture, or landscape maintenance?
4. Please provide examples of how you have applied your skills and training in a practical setting.
5. How do you contribute to a team environment?
6. What steps do you take to ensure you work safely on the job?

SK97188A

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