Horticulturist

**Job Brief**:
This position is responsible for the design and preparation, planning and maintenance of City horticultural displays for indoor and natural area plantings and landscapes.
- Employment Status:
**Temporary Full-Time**
- Union:
**CUPE 855 Outside**
- Open To:
**Internal Applicant(s)**
- Closing Date:
**08/05/24**
- Duration (if temporary):
**Up to 18 months**

**Job Brief**:
This position is responsible for the design and preparation, planning and maintenance of City horticultural displays for indoor and natural area plantings and landscapes.

**Description**:
Wage $27.22 - $29.44 per hour (2024)

Reports to Supervisor, Forestry and Horticulture Operations

Department Community Services

Location Central Area

Hours Temporary, Full-time, Up to 18 months' duration. Normal working hours are 40 hours per week.

Other General office environment with some travel throughout the City of Kawartha Lakes, in accordance with job requirements.
- Recommend, design and prepare various horticultural displays
- Responsible for the growing of, and maintenance of plant material, such as: propagating, planting, fertilization, transplanting and maintenance of various species of ornamental plants
- Inspect materials for insect and weed infestations or disease and report damage
- Perform general landscape functions such as sodding, gardening, path and wall construction
- Operate landscape equipment including trucks, tractor, mowers, hand or mechanized ground maintenance tools and equipment
- Perform park maintenance such as litter control, snow removal and washroom cleaning, as requested
- Act as a resource to seasonal employees, providing information and guidance as needed
- Administer procedures and recommend solutions to challenges or process improvements
- Complete continuous research and analysis of industry trends and issues to make recommendations to management and remain current in area of specialty
- Respond to customer service concerns, investigating, problem solving and responding within defined processes and advancing to the attention of the manager and/or supervisor, as appropriate
- Work collaboratively with others to deliver the outcomes as defined; report any challenges to the supervisor
- Maintain documentation, databases and corporate records in accordance with policy and divisional practice; consider legislative municipal requirements such as the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA)
- Provide data to allow reporting and decision making
- Procure services and goods as authorized by the supervisor

Perform other related duties as assigned

**Qualifications**:

- Post-secondary diploma in Horticulture or a related field
- Minimum two (2) years of related progressive experience, preferably in a municipal environment
- Integrated Pest Management (IPM) certification and/or accredited course in Plant Health Care, or willingness to obtain
- Pesticide license, or willingness to obtain
- Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS), First Aid/CPR certification, or willingness to obtain
- Demonstrated experience as practical gardener and horticulture including bed preparation, planting and maintenance of displays and landscaping
- Demonstrated ability to design and implement garden and landscaping plans; effectively use fertilizers; recognize pests, diseases and weeds
- Demonstrated knowledge of plant materials with experience in propagation and seasonal growth cycles
- Must have knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and other relevant legislation
- Effective oral communication and strong interpersonal skills; strong written communication skills; attention to detail and accuracy
- Demonstrated customer service skills at a level to develop and maintain cooperative/collaborative working relationships both within and outside the organization
- Demonstrated time-management skills with the ability to prioritize workloads and meet deadlines with mínimal supervision
- Demonstrated ability to exercise discretion and tact and maintain a high degree of confidentiality at all times, complying with all applicable privacy legislation and local policies and procedures
- Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office, the internet and any other related software
- Possess and maintain a valid Ontario Class “D” Driver’s Licence with “Z” endorsement or the ability to obtain within a specified timeframe

Upon a conditional offer of employment, a Criminal Record Check will be required