Labourer – Wastewater Reticulation

Requisition Number: 802

Salary Range: Base salary $57,300.44 p.a + guaranteed allowances + plus up to $17K Live Sewer allowance. On-call and overtime available for extra earnings. EBA renewal means a pay rise is coming!

Position Type: Full-Time Permanent 

Location: MacNamara Street, Cairns

Application Close Date: Sunday, 7 September 2025 at 11.30pm AEST

💧 Looking for a hands-on role where you can make a lasting impact on your community every day? We have an exciting opportunity to join our team and help keep our wastewater operations running smoothly!  

You’ll be part of our Wastewater services unit, working with a small crew in the delivery of safe, efficient, and customer-focused maintenance of Council’s sewer reticulation network. You’ll play a hands-on role in daily operations while assisting with responding to customer enquiries and ensuring assets are maintained to a high standard. You'll also provide valuable input to supervisory staff on any repairs or improvements needed across the network.

You will assist with day-to-day activities: 

• Repair sewer reticulation blockages and lateral connection (jump up) blockages
• Maintain high pressure sewer cleaning trucks and equipment to ensure efficient operation.
• Install sewer extensions or lateral connections as required. 
• Inspect / Investigate and record manhole asset integrity for follow up repairs as required.
• CCTV surveys of sewerage reticulation systems and CCTV pipeline surveys. 
• Infiltration/inflow investigations to identify illegal stormwater and groundwater inflow into our sewerage network. 
• Perform Reactive high pressure flushing of sewer main blockages as required. 
• Perform surveys of reticulation systems to identify illegal storm water and groundwater inflow.
• Operate and maintain licenced emergency overflow valves and screens. 
• Operate in conjunction with the vacuum tanker crew to remove silt and sand from sewer lines.

What We’re Looking For:

• Secondary education to Year 10
• A current MR licence (HR is desirable)
• Construction White Card
• Basic computer skills 
• Current confined space accreditation and/or ability and willingness to gain accreditation
• Qualifications in a trade profession or previous experience in the wastewater industry (desirable)
• Practical ability to pre-empt and organise tools and equipment to assist with all aspects of wastewater maintenance activities
• Physically fit and willing to work in outdoor environments (you will be required to pass a pre-employment medical)
• Effective communication skills with the ability to work well within a team

If you’re ready to take your first step in the wastewater industry, we want to hear from you!

What’s In It For You?

⚡ Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA) currently under negotiation—a pay rise is in the pipeline.

💰 Approximately an additional $17K per annum - Live Sewer Allowance, paid at time and a half.

🌤 Monday to Friday work with regular participation in an afterhours on-call roster

🕘 Flexible work arrangements including a 9-day fortnight

🌴 Generous leave entitlements: up to 5 weeks annual leave and 3 weeks personal leave

💉3 hours paid time annually for your health checks

📍 Stable, locally based work in beautiful Cairns

👕 Uniforms provided

🏊‍♂️ Fitness Passport—subsidised access to gyms, pools, and wellness facilities

💰 Secure your future with up to 12% superannuation contribution

📈 Career progression opportunities – Ganger (Leading Hand) Wastewater Services

🛠️ A strong culture of safe work practices and a firm commitment to workplace safety

We are committed to:

• Fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment
• Embracing innovation and continuous improvement
• Cultivating a culture of professional growth and support

Now we want to hear about YOU!

Applications MUST be submitted online through the 'Apply' button and include a Cover Letter addressing the selection criteria and Resume outlining previous academic and work experience and if requested include attachments of the relevant qualifications and licenses, relating to the role.

For further information about this role please download the Position Description which includes the Key Duties, Responsibilities and Selection Criteria.

Council’s Recruitment Team can be contacted via:

Phone: (07) 4044 3310

Email: jobs@cairns.qld.gov.au

Website: Employment at Council | Cairns Regional Council