Trainee Women in Water

Are you ready to start your career or make a change? We’re looking for motivated, hands-on individual who is eager to start a traineeship, gain valuable real-world experience and work towards a nationally recognised qualification. 

About the Traineeship:

Tweed Shire Council is proud to offer a Women in Water Traineeship with our Water and Wastewater team. As a trainee, you’ll gain hands-on experience while undertaking a Certificate III in Water Industry Operations. You will develop skills and knowledge in the operation and maintenance of a wide variety of water and wastewater infrastructure, which serves our community and the environment we care so much about.

The aim of the program is to produce trainees with a broad range of technical and employment skills who will be able to undertake a wide variety of roles across the Water Industry, both in Australia and around the world. 

In order to meet the requirements of the traineeship, successful completion of on-the-job training and studies is required.

What you'll do:

• Work in a supported team environment with appropriate training and direction.
• Assist with the operation and maintenance of:
  • Dams and weirs
  • Water treatment plants
  • Wastewater treatment plants
  • Water supply and wastewater network, including pipelines, pump stations and reservoirs
• Develop skills and knowledge in:
  • Water quality and environmental quality sampling and testing
  • Compliance and reporting
  • Treatment process adjustments
  • Construction, maintenance and repairs of water infrastructure assets
• Complete the competencies required for a Certificate III in Water Operations during the traineeship.

Why join us:

This isn’t just a traineeship; it’s the start of a rewarding career in the water & wastewater industry with a supportive team that wants to see you succeed. Here’s what we’re offering:

• • A job that gets you out and about to the beautiful areas of our shire and on the front line in protecting public health and the environment.
  • Diversity of work, including outdoor, office and laboratory environments, combining computer-based and active work activities.
  • A full-time position for up to 24 months, commencing January 2026.
  • Competitive starting salary from $33,962 to $64,228 per annum, plus 12% superannuation
  • Salary progression based on successful completion of training and strong on-the-job performance
  • Course fees covered - we’ll take care of the cost of your Certificate III
  • Earn while you learn
  • Enjoy a 9-day fortnight (76 hours per fortnight) for better work/life balance
  • Ongoing training and professional development to help you grow your skills and career
  • Supportive environment with coaching, mentoring and guidance from experienced professionals
  • Attractive employment conditions - and plenty more perks (click here to find out more)

We are seeking:

We’re looking for someone who’s curious, capable and ready to get stuck in. If this sounds like you, you’re already off to a great start

• • A passion for public health and the environment.
  • An interest in both active outdoor work and indoor/laboratory activities.
  • A team player who can also work independently and is not afraid to get their hands dirty
  • Able to communicate effectively, both written and verbal
  • Basic computer literacy, including knowledge of standard software packages.
  • A positive attitude and self-motivated.
  • The ability to apply skills and training effectively.
  • A current driver's licence - car.
  • Demonstrated commitment to safety, with a strong focus on personal wellbeing and contributing to a safe team environment.

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 will be based in various locations across the Tweed Shire with main work centres at Murwillumbah (Bray Park), Tweed Heads West, Banora Point and Chinderah. The trainee will rotate to various locations during the traineeship.

Position closes: 

Friday 7 November 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.

Immunisations:

This position is identified as at risk of contracting vaccine-preventable/manageable diseases and as a consequence impacted employees are strongly recommended to participate in Council’s workplace vaccination program. 

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. What interests you about working in the water industry? Are you curious about how water is managed, treated, or delivered to communities? 
2. What do you understand about the responsibilities and commitment involved in this traineeship?
3. Can you tell me about a time you faced a challenge, either at school, work, or in everyday life and how you worked through it? What was your process and what did you learn from the experience? 
4. Please indicate the highest level of secondary education you have completed, along with any additional qualifications you hold (e.g. certificates, diplomas, degrees).
5. Water operations often involve outdoor work in all weather conditions. Describe how comfortable you are working outdoors and doing physical tasks? 
6. How do you see this Traineeship helping you achieve your career goals?

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