Horticulturist I

**General Accountability**:
**Purpose and Scope**
Reporting to the Parks and Roads Manager, and taking direction from the Parks and Roads Manager, Parks Supervisor,
Horticulture Coordinator, or Horticulturist II, the Horticulturist I performs tasks assigned in the day-to-day operation,
maintenance and associated record keeping of the City’s gardens, boulevards, green spaces and trees.

**Nature and Scope of Work**
- Performs a wide variety of skilled horticulture tasks including planting, transplanting, fertilizing, irrigating, cultivating,

mulching, weeding and pruning trees, shrubs, plants and beds.
- Monitors plants and trees for pests and diseases; controls plant pests utilizing integrated pest management

techniques.
- Participates in seasonal annual cleanup of landscaped horticulture areas.
- Ensures all equipment and tools are operated competently and safely, and maintained in good operating condition.
- Performs other skilled related tasks as they pertain to construction, maintenance and repair of park facilities.
- Performs other duties as may be assigned.

**Necessary Qualifications**

**Knowledge**:

- Knowledge of the methods, practices, materials and equipment used in horticulture.
- Knowledge of landscape plants and planting materials.
- Basic knowledge of tree and plant diseases and of treatment methods.
- Working knowledge of WorkSafeBC regulations, City safety policies and procedures, and safe work practices

related to the work.
- Basic knowledge of industry maintenance and practices.
- Basic knowledge of all City maintenance operations and department’s role in the organization.
- Working knowledge of all relevant manuals, procedures, standards, City polices and bylaws, to be

successfully acquired.
- Knowledge of fundamentals of accident prevention.

**Skills**:

- Skill in the safe use and care of tools, equipment and materials used in horticultural work.
- Safe work habits and practices.
- Basic computer skills MS Word, Excel, and departmental specific software programs.
- Effective written, verbal and electronic communication skills.

**Abilities**:

- Ability to establish and maintain effective, respectful and cooperative working relationships.
- Ability to read and understand landscaping and infrastructure plans and drawings.
- Ability to safely operate small hand and power tools.

Job Description - Horticulturist I
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- Ability to multi-task, set priorities and work with mínimal supervision.
- Ability to work as part of a team.
- Ability to carry out safety inspections of gardens, parks, and green spaces, as required, in accordance with

established standards and procedures.
- Ability to change work priorities with little or short notice.
- Ability and willingness to contribute to maintaining a respectful, safe and supportive work environment that

embraces diversity, along with treating everyone with courtesy, dignity and fairness.
- Must have sufficient physical strength, stamina and ability to perform the work.

**Education**:

- Grade 12 or equivalent.
- Horticulture Technician Certificate from a recognized college or technical institution **OR **Successful

completion of the BC Industry Training Authority’s Landscape Horticulturist Apprenticeship Common Core
Level I and Level II exams.

**Training/Certification**:

- Current Pesticide Applicators Certificate (Landscape - Integrated Pest Management).
- Must possess and maintain a valid Class 5 driver’s license, and produce and maintain a clean driver’s

abstract, as per City policy.
- Occupational First Aid Level 1

**To Be Obtained on the Job**:

- Current WHMIS Certification (within first 6 months).
- Muscular-Skeletal Injury Prevention training (within first 6 months).
- Working alone or in Isolation training (within first 6 months).

**Experience**:

- Minimum three (3) months practical horticulture experience.

transplant, fertilize, irrigate, cultivate, mulch, weed and prune trees, shrubs and plants.

**Preferred Criteria (For External Posting)**
- Minimum one (1) year practical experience in the construction and maintenance of landscaped areas such as

parks, boulevards, walkways and sports fields.
***
- Turf Maintenance training.***
- Arborist Certificate.
****:

- Class 3 Driver’s License with Air Brake Endorsement.
**
***Unusual Working Conditions**
- The employee will be exposed to adverse weather conditions and chemicals in the performance of essential

job functions.
***
- May be required to come into contact with “live” sewage.
- Physically demanding work.