Garden Labourer

**Position Details**:
Current Rate of Pay: Min = $19.87/hr, Max = $21.54/hr

Employment type: Short Term Contract

Duration of employment: 7 months

Hours of work: 35 hrs/week

Work location: Black Creek Pioneer Village

Division: Conservation Parks and Lands

Business unit: Conservation Parks

Travel: No

Remote Work: None

**About TRCA**:
With more than 60 years of experience, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) is one of 36 Conservation Authorities in Ontario, created to safeguard and enhance the health and well-being of watershed communities through the protection and restoration of the natural environment and the ecological services the environment provides.

TRCA works to protect the integrity and health of the rivers and creeks in the jurisdiction, develop a system of green and natural spaces that sustains local ecosystems, and advance sustainable practices that improve people’s lives within our growing region.

**How you will contribute as part of the TRCA team**:
The Gardener is responsible for providing horticultural expertise in the implementation and maintenance of ornamental gardens featuring cultivated and native plants as well as assisting with the care and maintenance of passive landscape spaces on TRCA lands and municipal partner sites.

**Major Responsibilities**:

- Implement and provide on-going maintenance of ornamental and native plant gardens as well as passive landscape spaces.
- Maintain associated garden infrastructure including walkways, lawns and service areas to promote safe working conditions for both staff and visitors.
- Assist with planning and development of garden concepts and designs, including costing as required.
- Conduct landscape monitoring as required and analyze conditions to determine site recommendations and best practices.
- Volunteer management (Occasionally train and direct volunteers or TRCA field staff to assist with gardening initiatives)
- Share garden knowledge and information with the public and volunteers, assist with educational initiatives, and develop related interpretive materials or presentations as required.
- Provide brief tours of the gardens for visiting groups.
- Liaise and collaborate with municipal partners to achieve garden objectives.
- Coordinate procurement of all materials and supplies.

**What will you need to succeed**:

- Post-secondary degree/diploma landscape design, horticulture, or related discipline.
- Minimum of 3 years’ experience related to the major tasks; gardening, garden design/implementation, plant identification (both native and cultivated species), and grounds maintenance.
- Demonstrated knowledge of horticultural maintenance procedures such as pruning, deadheading, staking, weeding, edging and watering.
- Proven ability to plan, develop, implement and maintain garden projects with an understanding of basic plant physiology and cultivation requirements.
- Knowledge of plant health care and integrated sustainable pest management principles and practices.
- Experience working in public settings and with volunteers.
- Ability to interpret and produce planting plans.
- Ability to safely operate powered landscape equipment (push mower, grass trimmer).
- Ability to work independently with limited on-site supervision.
- Ability to deal tactfully and courteously with the public.
- Computer word processing/spreadsheet/AutoCAD/GIS (ArcView) literacy.
- Ability to work outdoors in adverse weather conditions.
- Valid Ontario Driver’s License (Class G)
- Successful completion of a Vulnerable Sector Screening.

**What TRCA has to offer you**:
As part of a progressive team, you will have the opportunity to make a positive impact to preserving and protecting nature, while maintaining a balance between the natural environment and built environment. Working with experts within our field, you will join a team of colleagues that are committed to TRCA’s core values of **integrity**, **collaboration**, **accountability**, **respect**, and **excellence (icare)**.

You will be part of a diverse and inclusive organization that:

- Makes a positive difference in the communities we serve.
- Fosters high performance and collaborative teams.
- Provides continuous learning and development opportunities.
- Offers a comprehensive compensation and benefits program (including Defined Benefit Pension Plan - OMERS/OTPP).
- Provides unique TRCA Perks.
- Provides flexible work arrangements.
- Offers potential for career growth and advancement.

**All new hires are required to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 as a precondition to being hired by TRCA. TRCA will comply with its obligations pursuant to the Ontario Human Rights Code and any other applicable legislation.**

**While the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) thanks all applicants for their interest, only those under consideration will be contacted for interviews. Please be advised that successful incumbent(s) may be required to undergo a vulnerable sector screen