Gardener I

Summary:

Responsible for preparing and grading terrain, applying fertilizers, seeding and sodding lawns, and transplanting shrubs and plants, using manual and power-operated equipment.

Duties and Responsibilities:

(These set out the principle functions of the position, and shall not be considered as a detailed description of all the work requirements.)

• Maintain flower beds, lawns, ornamental trees and shrubs in parks, cemeteries and roadside areas. Sample tasks include:   

  • Prepare and cultivate soil including weeding, rototilling, plowing, rolling and fertilizing.

  • Plant, transplant and remove trees, shrubs and flowers.

  • Apply pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, fungicides and fertilizer, as required.

  • Prune and clip trees, shrubs and hedges.

  • Mow lawns.

  • Remove and dispose of debris and garbage from parks and gorges.

  • Maintain an inventory for planting requirements.

• Operate equipment and vehicles such as but not limited to: truck, van, tractor, sidewalk plough, roller, vacuum machine, loader, snow blower, chainsaw etc., in a safe and efficient manner.

• Pick up and transport workers, parts, material, equipment and trailers as required

• General labour duties such as pot hole patching, hand-sweeping, litter pickup, landscaping, sidewalk clearing, watercourse cleaning, snow removal activities as needed.

• Provide functional leadership of others in small groups to perform various general labour and or horticulture duties.

• Ensure equipment is safe to operate, securely stored and practice good housekeeping of vehicle and work areas.

• Provide excellent customer service; respond to needs of all customers and staff as required.

• Efficiently and accurately complete paperwork (e.g. daily performance logs, time sheets and accident reports).

• Perform other similar and related duties as required.

Position Requirements:

• Grade 12 Diploma or General Educational Development (GED) Certificate.

• Post-secondary Diploma in Horticulture or equivalent of education and experience.

• Current Ministry of the Environment (MOE) Exterminator Technician required, Exterminator preferred.

• Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Accreditation preferred, working knowledge of IPM required.

• Valid - Standard First Aid / CPR C Certification as recognized through the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB).

• Valid, unrestricted Class “G" driver’s licence held in good standing. Class “DZ" driver’s licence preferred.

• Formal training and experience with the Occupational Health and Safety Act in particular as it relates to maintenance and construction activities (e.g. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), fall arrest, trench safety).

• A demonstrated commitment to enhancing a safety culture. Knowledge of City of St. Catharines safety policies preferred.

• Proven completion of Ministry of Labour Worker Health and Safety Awareness training. 

• Demonstrated knowledge of the Ontario Traffic Manual with emphasis on Book 7 preferred. Ability to safely set up traffic control in work zones during roadway or utility construction and maintenance operations.

• Ability to meet the physical demands of the job as described in the physical demands analysis (PDA).

• Availability to work flexible hours (e.g. working shifts for a 7 day, 24 hour operation, overtime, winter control).

• Effective time management skills and attention to detail with the ability to organize work to meet deadlines, multi-task and work independently in situations with minimal supervision.

• Exceptional customer service skills with a strong sense of public service and cooperation, and well developed abilities to deal with the public and citizens’ groups.

• Basic computer skills, experience with Microsoft Office Suite an asset.

CUPE 150 Pay Group 5 – $29.65

Hours of Work: 40 hours per week

THIS IS A SEASONAL POSITION FROM APRIL UNTIL NOVEMBER