Head Gardener

**Head Gardener**:
Reporting to the Facilities Manager or designate, the Head Gardener is responsible for the planning and maintenance of the Festival's renowned gardens and landscaping. This position includes the preparation, care and maintenance of the perennial gardens, the design and maintenance of the annual beds and lawn care and maintenance of the exterior grounds. In addition to performing these tasks, the Head Gardener is responsible for the daily supervision of a small team of gardeners and grounds assistants.

**Responsibilities**: Duties and responsibilities shall include but not be limited to the following;
- Maintain the gardens and landscaping of Stratford Festival properties. Perform grounds and greens maintenance activities such as seeding, planting, cultivating, mowing, edging, weeding, trimming, pruning, raking, spraying, and fertilizing. Power washing and sidewalk / parking surface maintenance.
- Plan and design, plant and tend flowerbeds and other decorative horticultural and landscape fixtures. Optimize plant life and aesthetics of landscaping. Recommend design and plant material to Facilities Manager.
- Recommend and coordinate irrigation / watering programs and planting activities according to seasons and environmental conditions. Develop a pruning schedule to maintain trees and shrubs in a healthy and attractive condition.
- In conjunction with the Facilities Manager, organize work schedules, provide guidance, training and supervise the activities of the Seasonal Gardeners, students and Maintenance as related to grounds and gardening operations.
- To review daily and weekly time sheets.
- Propagate and maintain inventory control of all planting material. Maintain inventory of planting materials, supplies and equipment.
- Order plantings, materials, supplies and equipment as required, as authorized by the Facilities Manager.
- Assist the Facilities Manager in maintaining the gardening / grounds budget. To consolidate Purchase card statements and receipts.
- In conjunction with the Facilities Manager, contract outside services as necessary.
- Monitor external contractors when servicing, inspecting and repairing equipment.
- Operate and maintain sprinkler and irrigation systems, cleaning, repairing, adjusting and replacing sprinkler heads and parts as required.
- Remove leaves, trash and debris from grounds to maintain an attractive image of the Stratford Festival, at all locations.
- Operate applicable equipment including mowers, sprayers, blowers, power edger's and hedge trimmers. Maintain equipment to prevent malfunction. In conjunction with the Facilities Manager, conduct a preventive maintenance program to keep equipment in optimal condition.
- Water and care for plants in greenhouse. Water and care for plants located throughout all Festival facilities as required. Provide general cleaning services in greenhouse. Maintenance / repair of ponds in the gardens as required.
- Remove snow from walks and steps with a shovel or snow blower as appropriate for amount and location of snow. Keep sand and de-ice product on walks and steps during icy/slippery conditions.
- Respond in a professional, polite and helpful manner when liaising with patrons and staff.
- Adhere to the Festival's Health and Safety Policy and Procedures guidelines. Comply with safety and other emergency practices. Inform the Facilities Manager of any condition observed to be unsafe.
- Recommend repairs / Maintenance as related to gardens, grounds, fixtures and equipment. Perform related tasks as required.
- Perform other related duties within the job classification as assigned.
- Prepare and assist volunteers with research data and information for Garden tours.
- To perform and assist with the maintenance of exterior fixtures, i.e. Garden Benches, Hand Rails, Planter boxes, etc.
- Snow removal operations
- Keep logs of gardening and grounds operations and records maintenance and repair work performed. Document all necessary information
- Assist other trades as required.

**Qualifications**:

- A postsecondary degree or diploma in horticulture.
- Working experience in both the field of horticulture and grounds maintenance operations.
- Proven team leadership/mentoring qualities, strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Landscape design experience.
- Practical experience related to environmental stewardship related to grounds care.
- Very good knowledge on perennial plants.
- Experience in operational budget control and planning.
- Valid Ontario driver's license with a clean drivers abstract.
- Operate vehicles and tow trailers [equipment and dump trailers]

**Work Environment**:

- Predominately outside work.
- Maintaining gardens and grounds operations in all varying weather conditions, in all seasons.
- Multi-site locations as operated by Stratford Festival.
- Working in areas alone on shift.

**Physical Demands**:

- Heavy lifting, pushing and pulling. Regularly up to 50 lbs.
- Working from heights. Includes