Why work at Latrobe City Council

Empower a whole community... whatever the weather.

Working at LCC means serving our community and the visitors to our city. It’s why we exist. Our people get a lot of fulfilment from that, and we’re so proud of what we achieve each day. Of course, there are also harder days, and we can’t please everyone. But our people keep coming back, striving to do the job, the best we can. Do work that really matters, right here.

Experience variety … and a true learning culture.

What sets us apart from other employers? Our people often say it’s the varied work and the many opportunities to grow. We offer lots of training, secondments and other development. But it’s more than that. We want you to feel interested and invested in your work. And we know that by helping you enhance your career, we can enhance your impact on the Community. We want you to progress as we do. Grow faster, right here.

Max has experienced and achieved so much since joining us. Find out how

Care more, achieve more… and change minds.

If you believe the old stereotypes about council employees, come and meet our team - they’ll change your mind. Our people really care about their impact. They get stuck in and own it, and love to see the results. Here, you’ll work harder than many realise - sometimes without applause. But you’ll make all the difference. Strive with us and bust the myths, right here.

Eric Robinson craved a job close to home - one where he could learn new skills and achieve real results.

Signposts to Success

Now, as Latrobe City Council’s Roads Engineer, all he needs to do to see his impact is to drive along our roads. And he’s got some exciting ideas for making them even better - and more sustainable.

A change in the right direction

Eric Robinson is creating a roadmap to success - literally. Every time the Roads Engineer drives around Latrobe City, he sees all the signposts of his evolving career.

“My fingerprints are everywhere,” Eric says. “When I drive down a road, I think, ‘Well, I know where that goes - I re-sealed it two years ago!’ It’s satisfying. I like making a tangible difference, and I can see it all around me.”

Eric and his team are dedicated to maintaining and improving our roads to ensure the safety of the Latrobe City community. As well as managing our yearly surfacing and sprayed seal renewal programs, Eric consults with residents, liaises with stakeholders and contractors.

Before joining Latrobe City Council four years ago, Eric worked as a rigger. But he yearned for something more: a job close to home, where he could achieve something great and make a difference in his community.

“I wasn’t happy working in construction,” Eric recalls. “I was living in Gippsland but did a lot of work in Melbourne. I got a little tired of driving an hour and a half to the city every day.”

So, Eric decided to study Civil and Environmental Engineering as a mature-age university student. As part of his degree, he completed an industry work placement at Latrobe City Council.

“This gave me a chance to learn about the Council and make a good impression,” Eric says. “When a position did come up, my experience got me the job.”

Searching for sustainable solutions

Eric’s day usually begins at 7am, when his subcontractors start work. No workday is the same, and that’s how he likes it.

“My job is cyclical from year to year. There are lots of ebbs and flows. At the moment, I’ve got six contractors working for me, and a lot of my time is taken up with checking their work. Soon, my focus will be on planning for the next year. I’ve always been able to step back and take an overall view of things, but my long-term management has definitely improved in this role.”

Sustainability is one of Eric’s top priorities. He’s always looking for environmentally friendly solutions to improve Latrobe City’s roads. Last year, with Council’s support, he applied for a grant from Sustainability Victoria to trial a new asphalt made with recycled glass.

“The trial was driven by a recycling contractor who said to us, ‘We’ve got all this extra glass, can you use it?’ So, I did the legwork and figured out the exact amount of money we’d need to test a recycled glass asphalt. I applied for the grant, and we were successful. We got the full amount we needed - $130,000. The asphalt trial is scheduled to go ahead in Traralgon in February, and if it goes well, we’ll encourage our contractors to use it.”

It’s this kind of initiative that’s helped Eric go from strength to strength as a Roads Engineer. And he’s grateful to work for an organisation that values learning, collaboration, and integrity.

“It’s clear to me that Latrobe City Council trusts me to do my job properly. They don’t micromanage me. They really do live up to their values of trust and accountability.”

Safety, security, stability

As a husband and father, Eric loves the flexibility of his role. Each fortnight, he receives an RDO (rostered day off) that he usually spends caring for his daughter. He also values the support in his job, particularly in a world affected by COVID-19.

“Council work isn’t always easy, and we work harder than many realise. But I do feel supported in my role here - during the pandemic, it’s really been brought home to me how important that is.”

Eric says that as long as there are improvements to make and skills to learn, he’s staying with Latrobe City Council. And he encourages others wanting to find their people and place to consider a career at Council, too.

“In my role, you need to be flexible, organised, and open minded. You also have to be patient with residents and be able to communicate with stakeholders. Nothing beats industry experience, though, and you’ll learn on the job with a mentor. I still feel I can make improvements in my role, so I can see myself being with Latrobe City Council for some time.”

Find your people and your place.  

At LCC, you’ll find a team of good, hard-working people who want to help you. We're also passionate about being a supportive employer and a workplace where you can perform and belong. Our people give a lot, so we’re working hard to ensure they maintain a healthy balance. We’re also focusing more and more on people-first leadership across Council. We’re not perfect and there’s still work to do. But wherever we can, we want to start with trust and a two-way conversation. Connect and belong, right here.

Find out why Bianca says she never wants to leave

More reasons why

Latrobe City Council is an Employer of Choice

Latrobe City Council has been recognised as an Employer of Choice in The Australian Business Awards 2020.

Now in their fifteenth year, the Australian Business Awards for Employer of Choice (EOC) recognise organisations which have developed leading workplaces through effective employee recruitment, engagement and retention.

Being recognised as an EOC is only available to a select group who are able to demonstrate their achievements across key areas of Organisational Culture and Leadership; Employee Education, Training and Development; Employee Health, Safety and Satisfaction; Performance Management; Recognition and Remuneration.

Latrobe City Council is the only Council recognised by The Australian Business Awards in this category this year. Council is one of the largest employers in Gippsland’s Regional City.

For more information on The Australian Business Awards and the 2020 EOC Winners, visit employerofchoiceawards.com.au

Learning and development

Remuneration and flexibility

Culture and community

An inclusive culture, our CEO updates staff regularly
Opportunities to make a real difference in your community
We value and facilitate diversity
Commitment to health and wellbeing of staff such as “HOW” – Healthy Organisation Workgroup
Commitment to continuous improvement, innovation and new ideas
A community conscience through the work we do and through other initiatives such as donation drives
Celebration and recognition of achievements and events
Our reputation as one of the best Councils to work for in Victoria!

Staff benefits

Indigenous employment program

In partnership with Department of Education Employment Workplace Relations, the Steps to the future program was developed to improve employment opportunities in Gippsland.

The program is not limited to any particular industry or region in Gippsland and both private and public sector employers participate.

The program offers:

Pre-employment training
Wage assistance
Cross-cultural training
Mentor and support

Find out more information on indigenous employment

Secondary school work experience

Latrobe City Council is committed to providing youth in our community work experience opportunities. Contact the Baw Baw Latrobe LLEN 5633 2868 or visit http://workplacements.education.vic.gov.au/llens/bblllen

The Application for Work Placement with Latrobe City form will also need to be completed and returned to Baw Baw Latrobe.

For more information phone Erlinda James on 5633 2868 or email: erlinda@bblllen.org.au

To view the Structured Workplace Learning (SWL) state-wide website visit www.workplacements.education.vic.gov.au

Early childhood student placements

Our people-first journey

We’re so proud of all that Council has achieved over the years. But like any organisation, we’re continuing to evolve, and we still have challenges to overcome.

We know that council work isn’t always easy. It can be complex and sometimes political. We’re working to reduce the red tape, accelerate decision-making and streamline processes, for the benefit of our community and our teams.

We can’t please everyone, all the time. But our people work really hard, and we want them to be proud. So more than ever, we’re celebrating their efforts and achievements. We’re also listening to them about their experiences at Council so we can continue to grow, together.

Help us make the difference, right here.