Gardener

Toronto and Region Conservation Authority; Toronto; On-site; CAD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A conservation organization in Ontario is seeking a Gardener to maintain and enhance their gardens. The successful candidate will have a post-secondary degree in horticulture and at least 3 years of related experience. Responsibilities include maintaining ornamental and native gardens, conducting landscape monitoring, and collaborating with municipal partners. The role requires knowledge of native plants and the ability to work in diverse conditions, with duties involving public engagement and volunteer management.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years' experience in garden maintenance and design.
• Experience working with the public and volunteers.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and enhance ornamental and native gardens.
• Conduct landscape monitoring and provide site recommendations.
• Assist with planning and design for garden concepts.
• Manage volunteer activities and share garden knowledge.

Skills

Knowledge of Ontario native plants

Garden maintenance

Plant identification

Ability to operate landscape equipment

Public engagement

Education

Post-secondary degree/diploma in landscape design or horticulture

Tools

AutoCAD

GIS (ArcView)

Job description

Overview

How you will contribute as part of the TRCA team:The Gardener is responsible for maintaining, enhancing, and establishing gardens on TRCA lands by providing horticultural expertise to support the maintenance, design, planning and implementation of high-profile ornamental display and native plant at TRCA lands and municipal partner sites.

Responsibilities

• Implement and provide on-going maintenance and enhancements for ornamental display gardens, naturalized and native plant gardens, monitoring health and performance of the gardens.
• Maintain associated garden infrastructure including the maintenance of habitat structures, and keeping paths, walkways, lawns and service areas clean and clear.
• Conduct landscape monitoring and analyze conditions to determine site recommendations and best practices, maintaining native species plan inventories.
• Assist with planning and design support for the development of garden concepts and designs, including costing as required.
• Volunteer management (Occasionally train and direct TRCA field staff and volunteers to assist with gardening initiatives).
• Share garden knowledge and information with the public and volunteers, assist with educational initiatives, and develop related interpretive materials or presentations as required.
• Provide a brief tour of the garden for visiting groups.
• Liaise and collaborate with municipal partners to achieve garden objectives.
• Coordinate procurement of all materials and supplies.
• Assist with the creation of funding applications for native plant garden initiatives.
• Incumbents may be assigned other duties.

What will you need to succeed

Education

• Post-secondary degree/diploma in landscape design, horticulture, or related discipline.
• Valid Ontario Driver’s License (Class G).

Experience

• Minimum of 3 years’ experience related to the major tasks; garden maintenance, garden design/implementation, native plant gardening and design, and plant identification skills.
• Experience working in public settings and with volunteers.

Knowledge/Skill/Ability - Competencies

• Demonstrated knowledge of Ontario native plant and ornamental perennial communities, as well as horticultural maintenance procedures.
• Proven ability to plan, develop, implement, and maintain native plant garden projects with an understanding of environmental restoration and regeneration practices.
• Knowledge of plant health care and integrated sustainable pest management principles and practices.
• Ability to interpret and produce planting plans.
• Ability to safely operate powered landscape equipment (push mower, grass trimmer).
• Ability to work independently with limited on-site supervision.
• Ability to deal tactfully and courteously with the public.
• Computer word processing/spreadsheet/AutoCAD/GIS (ArcView) literacy.
• Ability to work outdoors in adverse weather conditions.