Careers at TAFE NSW

TAFE NSW Life-Changing Careers

Education Support Officer - Horticulture

Wollongbar Campus

Permanent Part Time – 14 hours per week

$96,098 salary package - includes base salary ($84,666), plus employer’s contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading (paid pro-rata)

At TAFE NSW, we are dedicated to life-changing impact.

That’s why we offer world-class training and education that delivers the skills needed for the jobs of today and tomorrow.

Life-changing impact starts with an incredible team that sees their career as an opportunity to transform someone’s world. Whether that’s inspiring students, supporting each other, or helping our communities and industries flourish. 

We live by TAFE NSW values: Customer Focus, Integrity, Collaboration, and Excellence. They define who we are, how we work, and inspire our performance.   

We invest in our people
At TAFE NSW, you will discover a diverse, dynamic, and collaborative environment, where you can innovate, create value, and do meaningful work. We provide you with tools, ongoing training and professional development, health and wellbeing programs.

About the role
As an Education Support Officer, you will play a key role in enhancing the student learning experience by supporting classes and working closely with teachers to drive engagement and success. You will assist students to navigate online learning environments, enrol and participate in Teams classes, monitor engagement, and provide proactive support to keep learners on track. This hands-on role involves managing cohort assessment data, working with spreadsheets, and monitoring online communications, while building strong rapport with students so they feel confident seeking support. Working within TAFE Digital systems (with full training provided), you’ll contribute to a connected, supportive learning environment that enables student achievement.  You will be supporting students and teachers with practical course work and in face to face classroom setting as required.

We’re looking for someone with relevant vocational knowledge and a passion for supporting adult learners, who brings high-level communication skills, initiative and a strong customer service mindset. You will be comfortable using technology, able to explain concepts clearly, and thrive in a collaborative team environment. The role is based at high-quality horticulture facilities in Wollongbar, with some travel to Kingscliff required (driver’s licence essential).  This position is scheduled to work on Mondays and Wednesdays only to support student engagement across both face-to-face and digital delivery. Any changes to these working days must be formally negotiated and agreed upon.

Note: This role does not teach or prepare lessons or resources and does not deliver training nor undertake assessment. 

About you 
You will bring a genuine passion for horticulture, supported by a Certificate II or III in Horticulture (or a related discipline), along with current industry knowledge and a commitment to staying technically up to date. With strong digital literacy, you’re confident using Microsoft Office applications, Teams, and learning systems, and you have the attention to detail required to manage student data, monitor engagement and keep processes running smoothly. Just as importantly, you demonstrate empathy and patience, with the ability to build trust quickly and support adult learners through challenges, helping them stay motivated and succeed in their studies.

You thrive in a fast-paced, student-focused environment where no two days are the same. Able to multitask effectively, you can support multiple teachers and students across different campuses, acting as a dependable first point of contact to troubleshoot issues and provide encouragement when learners are under pressure. In return, you’ll gain strong job satisfaction from seeing students complete their studies, while building valuable industry connections and working within a supportive team at a high-quality campus. This role offers a fantastic opportunity to grow your skills and career in the horticulture industry on the North Coast, with ongoing training and development provided to support your professional journey.

To be considered, you must meet the essential requirements outlined in the role description, hold a current driver’s licence, and possess either a Certificate II or III in Horticulture, Nursery, or a related discipline, along with current industry experience.  To find out more about the role, click to view the Role Description.

Our commitment to Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion
We are committed to creating a culturally safe and accessible workplace where dignity, trust, respect, and the promotion of diversity and inclusion are valued, so you can safely bring your whole self to work and connect with your community through our many diverse employee networks. If you require an adjustment in the recruitment process, please contact our Talent Acquisition Advisor listed below.

To apply for this role, click 'apply now' and provide:

• Your current resume
• A cover letter outlining how your capabilities, knowledge and experience meet the requirements of the role (1 page max.) 

A career of life-changing impact awaits you. Apply now!

Applications close 11:55pm Thursday 18 June 2026 AEST

General recruitment and adjustment enquiries: 
Contact Sally Barry, Talent Acquisition Lead, via email at sally.barry4@tafensw.edu.au or phone 02 7921 0203.

Role-specific enquiries:
Contact Robert Davies, Head Teacher Horticulture via email at robert.davies32@tafensw.edu.au.

For support with preparing your application and understanding the recruitment process, visit our Application Process page, and explore the helpful resources available through I Work for NSW.

This is a child-related position. Successful candidates must hold a valid NSW Working with Children Check (WWCC) prior to commencing. TAFE NSW will also conduct an Australian National Criminal Record Check on the preferred applicant as part of the pre‑employment process.

To be eligible for a position at TAFE NSW, you must be an Australian citizen, a permanent resident of Australia, or a New Zealand citizen with a current New Zealand passport.

A talent pool, valid for 18 months, may be created for this position and used to fill future vacancies.