JHB City Parks & Zoo: Learnerships and Internships 2026
Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo invites unemployed South African youth residing in the Johannesburg regions to apply for the Horticultural Learnership Programme 2026. This opportunity is open to applicants between the ages of 18 and 35 who hold a Grade 12 certificate or equivalent qualification. The 12-month learnership provides structured practical training in plant care and maintenance, propagation and cultivation, pest and weed control, environmental protection practices, and the safe use of horticultural equipment. Participants will receive a monthly stipend of R4 000, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Johannesburg City Parks & Zoo in partnership with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) invites suitably qualified graduates to apply for the Municipal Youth Graduate Programme. This 6-month programme offers practical workplace experience across various departments including environmental education, conservation management, project management, nursery management, and infrastructure support. The programme is open to youth aged 18 to 35 who hold a qualification of Matric plus three years of study, or a Degree or Diploma at NQF Level 6, and who reside within the City of Johannesburg. Participants will receive a daily stipend of R271.04.
Both programmes aim to provide meaningful skills development and work exposure within environmental and conservation-related fields. Applicants must ensure that all required documents are submitted before the relevant closing dates, as late or incomplete applications may not be considered. Participation in either programme does not guarantee permanent employment upon completion, but offers valuable experience and training within Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo.
Position: Horticultural Learnership (X60)
Stipend: R4 000 per month
Duration: 12 months
Closing Date: 24 February 2026
Position: Municipal Youth Graduate Programme (X60)
Stipend: R271.04 per day
Duration: 6 months
Closing Date: 18 February 2026
Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their applications together with all required supporting documents before the specified closing dates. Applications must meet the stated eligibility criteria, including age requirements, relevant qualifications, and proof of residence where applicable. Only complete applications submitted through the designated application link or email address will be considered, and participation in the programmes does not guarantee permanent employment upon completion.
JOHANNESBURG CITY PARKS & ZOO LEARNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES 2026
HORTICULTURAL LEARNERSHIP (X60)
Monthly Stipend: R4 000 per month
Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo is offering a Horticulture Learnership to unemployed South African youth who are in possession of a matriculation qualification or equivalent and reside in the Johannesburg regions. Applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 35 years. People with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Horticultural Minimum Requirements
Qualifications:
• Grade 12 certificate (Achieved) or NQF Level 4
Knowledge:
• Health & Safety in a horticultural environment
• Soil Science
Training Outputs
1. Plant Care & Maintenance
• Soil Preparation: Identifying soil types and conditioning or preparing soils for planting.
• Planting: Establishing ornamental and herbaceous plants from containers into open ground.
• Pruning: Pruning and shaping ornamental shrubs, trees, and other plants.
• Fertilisation: Applying specific fertilisers to plants, landscapes, and ornamental seedlings.
• Watering: Applying water to landscaped areas and managing irrigation sprinklers and emitters.
2. Propagation & Cultivation
• Seed & Stem Propagation: Propagating plants from seeds and stem cuttings.
• Growth Media: Utilizing appropriate growth media for plant containers.
• Nursery Care: Basic identification and care of ornamental seedlings.
3. Pest & Weed Control
• Weed Removal: Manual and chemical removal of weeds and alien invader plants.
• Pest Control: Applying pest control practices and mixing/applying herbicides or pesticides.
4. Environmental & Safety Standards
• Health & Safety: Applying core health and safety principles within a horticultural environment.
• Protection: Demonstrating awareness and implementation of environmental protection practices.
5. Technical & Physical Skills
• Tool Handling: Safe use of horticultural machinery and equipment, such as mowers.
• Physical Fitness: Learners must be physically fit and healthy to handle manual labour and outdoor work.
• Basic Literacy: Ability to communicate, read, and write.
Learnership Details
• Duration: Twelve (12) months
• No expectation for permanent absorption at the end of the learnership period
• Workplace: Regions
Contact Details for Enquiries: (011) 712 6601 / 6668
Closing Date: 24 February 2026
How to Apply:
Interested applicants must submit their applications through the official online application platform. Ensure that all required information is completed accurately and that supporting documents are prepared where applicable before submission. Applications must be submitted before the stated closing date, as late or incomplete submissions may not be considered. Application Link: https://share.google/6aJHZ8AKDopuVz1wG
Note: Johannesburg Parks and Zoo is an equal opportunity employer and encourages all persons to apply. If you do not receive a response within 21 days after the closing date of this advertisement, please accept that your application was unsuccessful.
MUNICIPAL YOUTH GRADUATE PROGRAMME (X60)
Johannesburg City Parks & Zoo in partnership with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE)
Duration: 6 months
Daily Stipend: R271.04
Minimum Entry Requirements
• Matric plus 3 years of study (M + 3)
• Qualification with 360 credits or Degree/Diploma NQF Level 6
• Youth between 18 – 35 years of age
• People with disabilities are encouraged to apply
Required Documents to be Attached
a. Application letter
b. Curriculum vitae
c. Certified copy of qualifications
d. Proof of residence in the City of Johannesburg (Only youth residing in the City of Johannesburg will be considered)
Programme Departments and Requirements
Department/Unit: Johannesburg Zoo
No of Interns Required: 15
Qualifications: Environmental Management and/or Conservation Management
Key Performance Areas: Cleaning animal enclosures, feeding animals, monitoring and observing animal behaviour, paperwork, environmental education and awareness.
Department/Unit: Environmental Education
No of Interns Required: 8
Qualifications: Environmental Management / Environmental Sciences
Key Performance Areas: Educate and raise awareness about environmental issues, plan commemorative events for environmental theme days, conduct outreach campaigns to schools and City residents, implement curricula-aligned educational programmes at education centres and nature reserves.
Department/Unit: Project Management
No of Interns Required: 2
Qualifications: Project Management / Public Administration / Office Administration
Key Performance Areas: Project management, communication, reporting, monitoring and evaluation, including reception and office administration services.
Department/Unit: Protected Areas and Conservation
No of Interns Required: 18
Qualifications: Environmental Management and/or Conservation Management
Key Performance Areas: Conservation maintenance including alien plant control, trail maintenance, fence monitoring, management of koppies and ridges, bird sanctuary, dam and riverbank management, and the use of fire as a management tool. Law enforcement and compliance monitoring and reporting.
Department/Unit: Integrated Catchment Management
No of Interns Required: 5
Qualifications: Environmental Management / Conservation / Water Resource Management / Hydrology
Key Performance Areas: Conservation and management of catchment areas, botanical gardens and nature reserves. Ecological management services to determine carrying capacity, wildlife management, management of aquatic and terrestrial alien plants, arboriculture, horticultural and integrated herbarium services.
Department/Unit: Nursery Management
No of Interns Required: 10
Qualifications: Occupational Health and Safety / Environmental Management / Forestry Management
Key Performance Areas: Nursery management and propagation, tree census, assisting with safety and health issues in nursery management and tree planting services across the City of Johannesburg.
Department/Unit: Capital Infrastructure
No of Interns Required: 2
Qualifications: Environmental Management / Environmental Science
Key Performance Areas: Scoping and assessing development projects as well as general project and environmental management.
Total Interns Required: 60
Application Submission
How to Apply:
Applicants must submit their applications together with all required supporting documents via email. Ensure that the application letter, curriculum vitae, certified copies of qualifications, and proof of residence (where required) are clearly attached before sending. Only complete applications submitted before the closing date will be considered. Applications and supporting documents must be emailed to: [email protected]
Enquiries: [email protected]
Please Note: No expectation for permanent absorption or placement.
Closing Date: 18 February 2026