At a Glance
- Tasks: Care for animals, maintain exhibits, and educate the community about wildlife.
- Company: Join Ipswich City Council and make a difference in your community.
- Benefits: Paid traineeship with hands-on experience and a Certificate II in Animal Care.
- Other info: Supportive mentors and a dynamic outdoor work environment.
- Why this job: Kick-start your career in animal care while helping native wildlife thrive.
- Qualifications: Passion for animals and willingness to learn.
The predicted salary is between 58500 - 71500 $ per year.
About Maxima: Maxima is a leading Group Training Organisation – we manage recruitment, placement and ongoing support of trainees and apprentices on behalf of our host employers. We aim to help you kick‑start your career into the job or industry of your choice, boost your employment credentials and equip you with the skills and knowledge to be able to succeed in the future.
Your Host Employer: At Ipswich City Council, you’ll be part of a team that helps shape the future. Our teams operate across various industries delivering services to the community, and work together to support a liveable, inclusive and sustainable city for our thriving community. Guided by our values of communication, collaboration, integrity, efficiency, safety and wellbeing and leadership, you’ll be supported to learn, grow and build your career.
The role: We are seeking an Animal Care Trainee– Nature Centre. Location: Ipswich. Duration: 12-Month traineeship, February 2027 intake.
As an Animal Care Trainee, you will have the opportunity to make a start in a fulfilling industry, working for the betterment of native animals and educating the community on saving wildlife. Working alongside experienced officers at the Ipswich Nature Centre, you’ll gain hands‑on experience caring for animals, maintaining exhibits, and supporting educational programs that connect the community with nature. During the 12‑month paid traineeship, you will gain real world experience while completing a Certificate II in Animal Care. You will work alongside experienced professionals while earning a qualification, giving you the skills and confidence to launch your Animal Care career.
What are 5 key aspects of this role you’ll learn?
- Basic animal care
- Standards and practices within the industry
- Knowledge and understanding of native animals
- How to interact and educate members of the public
- Learning to observe each animal’s behaviours and cues
What are 3 challenges of this role and how you will be supported?
- Working with animals requiring treatment – Trainee’s will be supported by experienced mentors and have access to EAP’s
- Adjusting to working outdoors – Trainee’s will be supplied PPE and trained on sun safety
- Trainee’s may face challenges in balancing study and work commitments – Trainee’s will be supported by a dedicated Maxima field officer as well as support from the Ipswich council team and the Registered Training Organisation.
What makes this job rewarding? This job is rewarding because you will be a part of positive outcomes for animals and work within the community to create a better future for our native animals. You will work alongside trained professionals who are passionate and excited to mentor you towards your career in Animal Care.
Animal Care Trainee employer: Maxima
Maxima is an exceptional employer that prioritises the growth and development of its employees, offering a clear pathway from casual roles to permanent positions within the council. With depots located in Boonah, Beaudesert, and Canungra, you can enjoy local rotations that minimise travel while working in a supportive, team-oriented environment focused on community service and infrastructure improvement.
