DEPI Cadetship Program

Are you interested in a career that will influence our future in:

Healthy and productive water systems?
Healthy and productive land?
Flourishing biodiversity in healthy ecosystems?
Clean air, liveable climate?
Less waste, less pollution?
Living cultural heritage?
Healthy, productive and accessible marine, coastal and estuarine environments?

If yes is your answer, the Department of Environment and Primary Industries may have just the opportunity for you.

But wait, there's more. How about being paid to study science - and then be considered for a job. A rare opportunity?

Yes indeed. The DEPI Cadetship Program offers VCE students and first year science students cadetships to study an approved science degree at a Victorian university.

DEPI is a great place to work with flexible working arrangements. And we're regarded by many secondary and tertiary science students as an employer of choice.

Check out this video to see some previous DEPI cadet experiences.

The deal

While studying, you will receive:

an annual allowance of $9000 to help with fees and accommodation
up to $500 each year for books
a DEPI mentor
two study tours per year (each of three days duration)
six to eight weeks work experience with DEPI per year.

Photo: Students at the Careers Expo 2006

But... there's more to a cadetship than just studying for a degree.

The detail

Besides studying, you will undertake practical work placements for 6-8 weeks of the university holidays. Placements are structured learning opportunities during which you and your mentor will set goals and devise your learning objectives. DEPI professional scientists supervise placements and will provide feedback on your work. This is an excellent way to learn the practical skills of the job and get the most from your university education.

After graduating you will be considered for a role within DEPI, which offers a wide range of career opportunities.

Still interested?

If the following sounds like you, then we'd really like to hear from you:

Your VCE or university results are of a high standard.
You have well developed communication skills.
You like working with people.
You have a genuine interest in science and the future of sustaining Victoria's natural resources.

You must also be able to demonstrate that you have:

Participated in team, group or community activities.
Good general knowledge of natural resources and environment.
Any other characteristics that will enable you to work with others in a constructive and useful way.

And of course you'll have academic and community referees who can speak highly of you.

Students in rural areas are particularly encouraged to apply, as we recognise their special needs in competing for university places as well as their valuable knowledge of rural environments and communities.

Cadetships are only available to students whose families currently live in Victoria.

We aim to recruit future science leaders of the highest calibre, thus enabling the environmental science communities to grow stronger in the future.

One of those future leaders could be you. Think about it.

How to apply

If you think you meet all of the above criteria, then download the attached form complete and either send or email to Team Leader, Employment Strategies, Human Resources, Department of Sustainability & Environment, PO Box 500, East Melbourne 3000 or email garry.stock@dse.vic.gov.au

Expression_of_Interest_Form [MS Word Document - 153.0 KB]

Applications close on 1 October prior to the year of intake.

For further information about the DEPI Cadetship program please phone (03) 9637 8216.