Considering the current economic climate and uncertainty surrounding proposed reforms to the New South Wales Local Government structure, Wingecarribee Shire Council’s recent decision to undertake its largest recruitment drive in years may be seen as a bucking of the trend.
In fact, at the time of print, Wingecarribee Shire Council had just closed the doors on 21 newly created positions within its Operations Division.
Explaining the recruitment campaign was Council’s Deputy General Manager Operations, Phil Marshall.
“We have some $12 million invested in mechanical plant at Wingecarribee Shire Council,” he said. “To ensure we use it to its maximum, we want skilled and professional staff operating this machinery, helping to improve our delivery of services to our ratepayers.”
Some of the newly purchased plant include industrial mowers, excavators and bobcats, a vacuum truck and a materials handling vehicle at the Council’s Resource Recovery Centre.
Positions called for included Landscapers, Carpenters, Roadside Vegetation Officers, Labourers, Truck, Backhoe and Street Sweeper Operators. Within the majority of the vacancies were a range of grades including Team Leaders.
Positions were advertised throughout local media agencies, including social media forums.
“We encouraged as many applicants to apply for the vacancies as possible,” Mr Marshall said. “We promoted the jobs as an opportunity to experience both a diverse range of duties, and as a chance to begin a rewarding career within Local Government.
“Importantly, the majority of the positions were newly created,” Mr Marshall added. “All of the positions were within Council’s Operations Branch, and once filled, will comprise part of our regional construction and maintenance work force.
“This recent recruitment drive is commitment from our Council to improving the delivery of our services where it counts most, and is testament to the confidence we have in the future prosperity of this Shire and the greater Southern Highlands region.”
