Trades Gardener

**Job Description**:
**Competition #23/142A**

**Internal/External Posting**

**Closing date: August 3, 2023**

**Trades Gardener (Continuous)**

**Parks, Recreation and Facilities Department**

**POSITION FUNCTION**

Coordinate and participate in general horticulture work at a trades level.

**KEY DUTIES**
- Participate in the maintenance of various horticultural areas in the City.
- Assist in laying out areas to be planted, analyse, and make recommendations on plant selection.
- Assist in inspecting planted areas and required maintenance programs such as irrigating and fertilizing.
- Clean and repair greenhouses and cold frames, maintain moisture levels, heat and ventilation as required.
- Prepare, construct, and repair hanging baskets, window boxes and displays.
- Assist with the installation and maintenance of automatic watering systems.
- Perform general maintenance to assigned park horticultural by planting, irrigating, fertilizing, and pruning.
- Operate various hand tools and power equipment such as such as shovels, line trimmers, rototiller, electric shears, riding mowers, chainsaws, tractors, trenchers, and turf-cutters.
- Determine materials and equipment as required and operate a variety of vehicles as required. Perform equipment maintenance, report repairs required and damage to equipment to supervisor and mechanic shop, maintain fuel and equipment supply for staff at various work sites.
- Provide work direction and instruction to other staff as required. Occasionally respond to enquiries from the public, staff and outside agencies regarding general parks information.
- Complete daily and seasonal work records and equipment slips.
- Perform related duties where qualified.

**INDEPENDENCE**
- Work is performed according to seasonal schedule and is reviewed regularly while in progress.
- Issues such as plant selection are discussed with supervisor.

**WORKING CONDITIONS**

**Physical Effort**:

- Lift and move heavy plants and equipment. (often)
- Operate manual and power tools and equipment. (frequent)

**Mental Effort**:

- Normal.

**Visual/Auditory Effort**:

- Normal.

**Work Environment**:

- Work outside in all weather conditions. (continuous)
- Exposure to equipment noise. (occasional)
- Work in close proximity to moving traffic. (occasional)
- Work in an environment where protective measures must be taken to avoid exposure to chemicals and fertilizers (occasional)

**KEY SKILLS AND ABILITIES**
- Organize and prioritize work.
- Use hand tools and power equipment.
- Direct of the work of assistants.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
- Deal with the public in a courteous and tactful manner.
- Work safely on job sites.

**QUALIFICATIONS**

**Formal Education, Training and Occupational Certification**:

- **High school Graduation.**:

- **Completion of 2-year Horticultural Diploma or completion of 4-year BC Trades Qualification in landscape horticulture an equivalent Diploma or Trades Qualification in a related field. (2 years)**:

- **Certified Irrigation Technician Levels 1 and 2 (Landscape) (24 hours)**:

- **Current and valid Class 5 B.C. Driver's Licence.**

**Experience**:

- 1 year of experience at the trades level or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

**OTHER**:

- May be requested to substitute in a more senior position.

**Work schedule: Shifts may vary and include weekends, 7:00 AM - 3:30 PM (40 hour work week)**

**$38.37 per hour, Pay Grade 10**

**Job Code #639**

**This is a CUPE Local 50 Position**

At the City of Victoria, we are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that represents the community we serve. Indigenous applicants, people of colour, all genders, LGBT2Q+ and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Accommodations will be provided upon request during the selection process.

*