Horticulturalist

**OVERVIEW**
**POSITION TYPE: Term**
**NUMBER OF POSITIONS**:1**
**TERM START DATE: April 1, 2023**
**TERM END DATE: October 15, 2023**
**PROBATIONARY RATE**:$ 31.48**
**JOB RATE** **$ 32.57**
**CUPE POSTING DATE February 7, 2023**
**CUPE CLOSING DATE **February 14, 2023**:
**GENERAL DESCRIPTION**

**RESPONSIBILITIES**
- Responsible for their own safety as well as the safety of those around them.
- Required to follow all health and safety policies as well as job procedures set out by the Regional Recreation Corporation Of Wood Buffalo (RRC).
- Operates electric and gas powered tools such as line trimmers, backpack blowers and power tools.
- Utilizes landscape, shop, and general maintenance hand tools.
- Maintains planters, shrub beds, trees and all other landscaped areas.
- Determines species and quantity of plants for ornamental areas and flower boxes.
- Selects seeds, plant fertilizer, and disease control chemicals suitable for landscape areas.
- Performs and supports horticultural practices that encourage overall plant health and soil nutrition, to include sustainable gardening and integrated pest management practices.
- Determines best methods of planting, spraying, cultivating and harvesting.
- Provides winterization for ornamental areas including the cleanup of all plant related materials.
- Distributes pots, baskets and other plant related materials around the island at the beginning of the season.
- Working with the Manager of Golf and Grounds Maintenance plans, and designs landscape elements in golf course and leisure facility setting.
- Recommends improvements on MacDonald Island Park property, including species and location of trees, shrubs, and other ornamental plants.
- Pruning, watering, and planting of shrubs, trees and perennials throughout growing season.
- Provides leadership in horticulture management on the island.
- Maintains records such as IPM, Fertilizer records, chemical records, equipment, material, and plant inventory, etc.
- Assists with ordering plant inventory at the end of the season for the upcoming golf season.
- All other duties as assigned.

**QUALIFICATIONS: Education & Experience**
- Certificate, Diploma or Degree in Horticulture, landscaping or Plant Science.
- Three (3) years of progressively responsible horticulture experience.
- A combination of education & experience can fulfill the post-secondary education requirement.
- Arborist certification or equivalent is preferred.
- Current Alberta Pesticide Applicator License is an asset.
- Prior experience designing, installing and maintaining landscaping plantings in a park setting.
- Experience with operating small gas engines.

**QUALIFICATIONS: Knowledge, Skills & Abilities**
- Should possess a high level of enthusiasm, be self
- motivated and able to work independently and in a group.
- Must be capable of performing demanding physical work.
- Must be able to follow verbal and written directions.
- Working knowledge of tools used in horticulture.
- Ability to safely operate motorized equipment.
- Understanding of agronomy, turf grass management and the rules of golf an asset.
- Basic leadership skills to lead small teams for project work.

**OTHER REQUIREMENTS**
- Valid Class 5 Driver’s License Required