Gardener - Arboretum

Located at the head of Lake Ontario and within the municipalities of Burlington and Hamilton, Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) is the largest botanical garden in Canada and one of the nation’s earliest nature sanctuaries. Comprising some 2700 acres of protected wetlands, botanical collections, parkland and display gardens, and within easy access of millions of nature-starved urban citizens, RBG dedicates its expertise in horticulture, conservation, science and education to connect people, plants and place for the purpose of nurturing and preserving healthy growing life on our planet. RBG directs its efforts, and seeks the support of individuals and organizations, to realize its vision of a world in which everyone is awake to the beauty, diversity and necessity of plants, and from that consciousness more actively works together to protect and preserve plant species and habitats and, by extension, our planet.
Reporting to the Sr. Manager Horticulture, the gardener is responsible for maintaining plant collections within a cultivated garden or landscaped area.

**Responsibilities**
- Maintain landscape and horticultural displays utilizing gardening techniques such as planting, watering, fertilizing, pruning, edging and mulching.
- Utilize riding mowers, push mowers and other equipment required for turf cutting and maintenance.
- Identify and report diseases, pest infestations and other issues that negatively impact the collections.
- Maintain the garden’s curatorial and plan documentation records and work reports.
- Collaborate with Horticultural colleagues to establish and maintain best practices for living collections and displays
- Monitor and maintain adequate inventory of supplies, tools and equipment to carry out duties.
- Provide technical direction, training, and oversight to gardeners, volunteers and seasonally employed students in the performance of assigned tasks to ensure preservation and aesthetics of plant material.
- Maintain a safe environment through standard housekeeping initiatives.

**Skills**
- Knowledge of and demonstrated experience utilizing horticultural practices for planting a diverse range of plant material, relocating and removing trees, pest and disease identification and mitigation.
- Extensive experience operating equipment related to grounds management functions, including but not limited to tractors, gators, riding mowers, push mowers, backpack and hand blowers, trimmers, chainsaws along with various hand tools associated with the profession.
- Demonstrated ability to organize, prioritize, and multi-task in a fast-paced, challenging environment.
- Excellent interpersonal communication and customer service skills.
- Demonstrated ability to use computers and the Microsoft Office suite of programs.
- Working knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety act and other applicable safety legislation, rules, policies and procedures, including the Ontario Pesticides Act.
- Valid class “G” Ontario Driver’s License with an excellent driving record.

**Working Conditions**
- Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions.
- Physically demanding work including walking and prolonged standing on various surfaces, bending, pushing, pulling, carrying, lifting up to 30 kg, squatting and kneeling.
- Repetitive motion

We are committed to creating an environment which is accessible to all of our customers, employees and applicants. Reasonable accommodations in the hiring process will be provided to people with disabilities upon request.

**We thank all those applicants however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.