Gardening Assistant
Mildura Rural City Council

Situated in North West Victoria, Mildura Rural City covers almost ten per cent of the State. The region’s landscape includes unique Mallee vegetation, broad acre grain properties, intensive horticultural farms and vibrant towns. The beautiful Murray River winds its way through much of the municipality and is a focal point for visitors and about 53,000 people who call the region home. Mildura Rural City acknowledges that it is situated on and incorporates the traditional lands of the Latji Latji and Barkindji people, who have been custodians of this land for thousands of years. Accordingly, Council pays its respect to the traditional owners and Elders past and present.

Work Placement Location: MRCC Benetook Depot, 468 Benetook Avenue Mildura.

Do you have a keen interest in the Horticulture: Parks and Gardens Industry? If so, Mildura Rural City Council will give you a great Work Experience Opportunity (WE Opportunity) to gain experience as a Horticulture Trades Assistant in Parks and Gardens.

Street trees, garden beds and landscaping are important components of our public spaces, bringing aesthetic, environmental and practical benefits. Council’s Parks and Gardens staff maintain plantings in median strips, roundabouts and tree bays as well as those in public parks, reserves and playgrounds.

The WE Opportunity is ideally suited to a Year 10 student or a VCE student to gain experience and skills in Horticulture, Parks and Gardens with our regions local Council.

If you are interested in applying for this opportunity, please share this opportunity with your Careers Transition Pathway Officer or Careers Coordinator.

Skills You Might Learn

The student may have the opportunity to attain a broad range of skills while on work placement. These may include valuable employability skills such as;
• Communication.
• Teamwork.
• Attention to detail.
• Punctuality.
• Presentation.
• Hygiene.
• Problem solving.
• Planning.
• Initiative.
• Follow instructions.
• Work under supervision.
• Industry specific OH&S.

The student may also attain vital industry specific skills which will relate to their secondary school studies they include:
• Hands-on practical experience.
• Observing and learning from industry qualified and experienced professionals.
• Working in real-life scenarios.
• Working with equipment necessary to the occupation.
• Liaising and working with supervisors, colleagues, industry personnel, customers/clients and suppliers.

Typical Tasks & Duties

The student will as a Horticulture Trades Assistant in Parks and Gardens observe and spend time under the direct supervision of experienced and qualified staff with a focus on planting and maintaining lawns, shrubs and garden beds in public or private gardens and parks.

The student may observe and assist with the following tasks and duties;
• Assist with pressurised irrigation operations.
• Plant trees and shrubs.
• Recognise plants.
• Assist with soil or growing media sampling and testing.
• Support turf establishment.
• Participate in work health and safety processes.
• Assist with landscape construction work.
• Undertake operational maintenance of machinery.
• Assist with low volume irrigation operations.
• Conduct visual inspection of park facilities.

Student Requirements

Students with a positive attitude towards Horticulture: Parks and Gardens who are self-motivated, willing to listen and follow instruction are encouraged to consider a future WE placement to develop skills learned from their school subjects relating to Horticulture: Parks and Gardens.

Whilst the students is attending the work placement they are expected to:
• Dress appropriately.
• Maintain interest and participate in tasks and work duties.
• Be well mannered and behave in a respectful and responsible manner.
• Be punctual.
• Follow management instructions.
• Act in accordance with Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) requirements.
• Work within the team.
• Listen and take advice from fellow workers.
• Respect other people’s belongings.
• Keep a note pad and pen handy to take notes for their own reference.
• Demonstrate the skills they have developed through their course.
• Take their Log Book to the work placement every day.

Dress Requirements

The student will be required to present in the following work attire;
• Work pants.
• Hi Visual work shirt.
• Work boots, steel capped.
• Wide brim hat.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) appropriate to the tasks and duties carried out by the student, will be supplied by the Host Employer.

Special Transport Requirements

Public Transport is limited, students to check bus transport availability and or speak to parents/carer to organise transport prior to contacting employer.

CDC Victoria - Mildura: Ph: 5023 0274, Website: https://cdcvictoria.com.au/travel-information/timetables-and-maps/mildura/.