Vegetation Management Labourer Ii

The temporary full-time (up to 16 weeks - approximately May 5 to August 22) Vegetation Management Labourer II performs summer maintenance of the grounds surrounding Sturgeon County’s office buildings and shops and other Sturgeon County owned or maintained properties. The activities performed include spring clean-up, aeration, grass mowing, watering plants, and trimming/pruning of trees and shrubs. This position uses GIS-based system to collect and maintain geospatial data relevant to department operations.

This is a safety sensitive position as it operates various equipment on County worksites.

**KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES**

**Tree, Forest, and Landscape Maintenance (50%)**
- Performs tree, shrub and perennial pruning, planting, fertilizing, mulching, watering, and removal as required within Sturgeon County parks and boulevards.
- Assesses and monitors trees and plants for overall health, insects, and diseases.
- Waters trees, shrubs, and perennial beds.
- Collects and manages waste and compostable material from all maintenance work performed.
- Prepares and maintains annual flower planters in accordance with established designs.
- Conducts tree and forest inventory data collection and condition assessment utilizing GIS-based system.

**County Facility Groundskeeping and Turf Management (30%)**
- Performs grounds keeping activities surrounding County administrative facilities including grass cutting, lawn aeration, raking, weed control, brush clearing, tree pruning, garbage collection, planting, and watering, annual flower maintenance.

**Equipment Maintenance (10%)**
Safely operates and maintains required equipment including push and riding lawn mowers, rototillers, tractors, weed trimmers, utility terrain vehicles, all-terrain vehicles, pickup trucks, and power tools.
Assists Mower Operator IIs with supplying onsite fuel, moving locations and other tasks.

**Other Related Duties (10%)**
- Keeps detailed records of work performed, including materials used, weather conditions and locations.
- Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor.
- Adheres to applicable responsibilities and accountabilities as outlined in the Sturgeon County Health and Safety Management System.
- Adheres to all of Sturgeon County’s policies, bylaws, procedures and processes, as well as align work to the Sturgeon County values.

**KNOWLEDGE, EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND EXPERIENCE**

**Required**:

- A current Landscape and/or Industrial Pesticide Applicator certification or Authorized Assistant certification (or the ability to obtain).
- Valid class 5 driver’s license with an acceptable driver’s abstract.
- Standard First Aid certification (or the ability to obtain).
- Ground Disturbance level ll certification or the ability to obtain.
- National Safety Code Cargo Securement Knowledge Certification or the ability to obtain.
- National Safety Code Orientation or the ability to obtain.
- National Safety Code Pre-Trip & Cargo Securement Orientation & Evaluation or the ability to obtain.
- National Safety Code Pre-Trip Knowledge or the ability to obtain.
- Chainsaw knowledge and orientation or ability to obtain.
- Defensive Driving course certificate, or the ability to obtain prior to start date.
- Utility terrain vehicle training or ability to obtain.
- WHMIS 2015 or ability to obtain.
- Experience in lawn care and property maintenance.
- Experience in equipment operation.
- Experience with plant and insect identification.
- Experience with trailer hookup, cargo securement and towing.
- Experience driving a pickup on gravel roads.
- Strong mechanical knowledge and aptitude to repair and maintain lawn maintenance equipment.
- Familiarity with the Alberta Township Survey (ATS) System.
- Identifying noxious and prohibited noxious weed species.
- Knowledge of pesticides.
- Basic understanding of ornamental plants and maintenance requirements.
- Knowledge of GIS-based system to collect and maintain geospatial data relevant to department operations.
- Knowledge of Microsoft 365.
- Ability to work in a team environment or independently.
- Ability to communicate clearly and professionally and politely verbally with others.
- Strong problem-solving skills to address day-to-day issues that may arise.
- Ability to maintain accurate records and to prepare written reports.

**Assets**:

- Completion of some post secondary education in horticulture, arboriculture, or related discipline.
- Experience with GIS-based system to collect and maintain geospatial data relevant to department operations.
- Ornamental plant care knowledge.