Parks Horticultural Worker

Department: Parks | Location: Parks Maintenance Shop | Employment type: Part-time hourly, non-exempt

About the role

Are you a person that enjoys being outdoors? Have you ever wanted to know more about the maintenance of the plants and flowers throughout City facilities and downtown areas? Are you passionate about learning skills that will help you grow the green industry? Are you looking for practical, real-world skills that are in high demand? Then you’re the perfect applicant for the Parks Horticulture Worker position.

The Parks Horticulture Worker position is a job where you’ll be working outdoors, helping with the horticulture maintenance in the landscaping at City buildings, downtown public spaces, and other City-owned locations. You’ll learn green industry standards, landscaping techniques, turf care, and irrigation practices while performing a variety of duties including pruning, mulching, weeding, and planting—practical and in-demand career skills.

Responsibilities

• Assist with horticultural maintenance, Integrated Pest Management best practices, and plant health care in medians, rights-of-way, shrub beds, planter pots, and general transportation areas.
• Assist in maintenance of City parks, trails, facilities, medians, and downtown public spaces.
• Perform rototilling, soil amending, fertilizing, mulching, watering, pruning, deadheading, weed control, planting of shrubs, perennials, and annual flowers.
• Learn general knowledge of plant, weed, and pest identification.
• Learn to operate and maintain various equipment including truck and trailer combinations, traffic control devices, utility vehicles, and hand and power tools.
• Assist with irrigation maintenance, repairs, and irrigation controller operation.
• Apply chemical herbicides after required training.
• Follow established safety procedures and techniques to perform job duties in a timely and efficient manner.
• Work successfully in a team environment, as well as autonomously, in all weather conditions.
• Interact with the public in a professional and courteous manner.
• Maintain a positive, helpful, and solution-oriented attitude while assisting others.
• Engage with team members in a considerate and helpful manner and project a positive attitude in the workplace.
• Assist with snow removal and special events.
• Assist with additional tasks to help other Park divisions including Cemetery or Forestry if needed.
• All other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Unrestricted valid driver’s license.
• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Successfully pass a motor vehicle record and background check.
• Possess physical, mental, and cognitive abilities sufficient to perform the essential duties outlined above with or without reasonable accommodation, including:
  • Proficiency in English with the ability to read, write, speak, and understand.
  • Physical ability and stamina to perform duties including bending, lifting, digging, pushing, and kneeling.
  • Ability to regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds; occasionally up to 50 pounds maximum. Proper safety measures for lifting/moving any item are expected to be followed, including use of proper Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), lifting/moving equipment, and/or assistance from co-workers.

Benefits

• Potential for paid personal time and paid holidays.
• Employee Assistance Program: counseling, legal, and financial assistance.
• Wellness program and access to workout facilities.
• Personal and professional learning opportunities plus potential for career mobility.
• Collaborative work environment.
• Gift card drawings for participating in Safety and Wellness programs.
• Discounted Golf Green Fees.
• Discounted passes to City Recreation facilities.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) provided such as gloves, hard hats, safety glasses, boots, ear protection, etc.
• Safety boots and Parks Division logo work attire provided.
• Mentoring by world-class, knowledgeable, and experienced Park professionals.
• Training opportunities to expand educational background.
• $100.00 gift card for referring a newly hired employee through the Employee Referral program.

Pay

$17.00 per hour

Schedule

• Non-benefitted seasonal/temporary hourly position.
• Potential for flexible work schedules to allow for work-life-school balance.
• Hours vary from part-time to full-time and may include weekends and holidays.
• Potential for overtime pay and accrued sick/personal time based on qualified hours worked.
• Work occurs outdoors in a variety of weather conditions under the supervision of a crew leader.
• Safety gear is provided and required including, but not limited to, safety-toed boots, safety glasses, and ear protection.
• May use chemicals including cleaning supplies and herbicides.
• Attendance at weekly staff meetings, trainings, and safety meetings is required.