Parks Horticulture Foreman

City of Penticton; British Columbia; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government entity in British Columbia is seeking a skilled Parks Horticulture Foreman for a full-time position. This role involves overseeing the maintenance of public green spaces and managing a team of workers. The ideal candidate has a diploma in horticulture and at least two years of supervisory experience. The position offers attractive benefits, a pension package, and a wage of $40.53 - $44.53 per hour.

Benefits

Attractive benefits

Vacation and pension package

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years supervisory experience.
• Valid Class 5 Driver's Licence with Air Brakes endorsement.
• Completion of secondary school and 5 years experience in parks or landscape construction.

Responsibilities

• Oversee horticulture, mowing, irrigation, and urban forestry.
• Conduct site inspections to plan and prioritize work.
• Train and supervise parks workers.

Skills

Leadership

Problem solving

Communication

Organizational skills

Education

Diploma in horticulture or related discipline

Secondary school completion

Tools

Microsoft Office

Geographic Information Systems

Job description

Overview

Penticton is a vibrant, innovative, healthy waterfront city focused on sustainability, community, and economic opportunity. At the City of Penticton, our goal is to serve our residents, businesses, and visitors through good governance, partnership, and the delivery of effective and community-focused services. The City of Penticton Parks Department is in search of a highly skilled and energetic individual for the full-time permanent position of Parks Horticulture Foreman. The Parks Department maintains green spaces, sports fields, playgrounds, and the urban forest, ensuring they are safe and enjoyable for all. We also manage beaches, horticultural displays, and coordinate special events. Additionally, we care for the city\'s cemeteries, providing peaceful spaces for remembrance. Our work enhances the community\'s quality of life through recreation, sustainability, and engagement.

Reporting to the Parks Supervisor, the Parks Horticulture Foreman oversees the horticulture, mowing, irrigation and urban forestry portions of the department. This role has between 6-20 people reporting to them depending on the season. The Foreman oversees the horticulture team, ensures the maintenance and enhancement of public landscapes, and manages planting, upkeep, and seasonal care of floral displays and green spaces. They supervise staff, coordinate resources, and ensure horticultural projects meet aesthetic and environmental goals, contributing to the beautification and health of the community.

Responsibilities

• Organizes, directs, trains, supervises and assists parks workers engaged in maintaining and constructing parks infrastructure.
• Conducts site inspections to plan and prioritize work, ensuring quality, schedule, budget, safety, and regulatory compliance.
• Provides technical guidance, leadership, motivation, coaching, instruction and direction to work crews. Reviews problems, evaluates performance and coordinates staff training in support of the Supervisor.
• Trains, directs and supervises workers in operation procedures and safe work practices, including equipment operation and use of tools.
• Arranges equipment, materials and support services from other City departments, contractors or external groups. Supervises contractors or volunteers as required. Purchases materials and equipment following City Purchasing policy.
• Responds to enquiries from staff, contractors, user groups and the public. Maintains courteous relations with co-workers, customers, community representatives and contractors.
• Conducts safety inspections as part of a maintenance program and identifies public safety hazards.
• Assists in developing, implementing and maintaining the departmental Health and Safety program. Assists in training staff and ensures compliance with WorkSafe standards and the City of Penticton Health and Safety Policy.
• Monitors budget and program expenditures, maintains records and prepares related reports.
• Participates in planning and development of capital projects, operating and capital budgets, corporate policies, comprehensive maintenance programs and risk management.
• Researches new methods, services, materials and equipment to improve operations; prepares cost estimates and recommends purchases.
• Provides relief for Parks Amenities Foreman or Parks Supervisor during vacation or other absences.

Required Knowledge, Abilities & Skills

• Courses or certification in park construction, carpentry, horticulture maintenance, health and safety, risk management and supervisory training.
• Experience in landscape construction or maintenance in a municipal setting.
• Knowledge of computer applications including Microsoft Office, Geographic Information Systems and related software.
• Certified Playground Inspector certificate.
• Minimum 2 years supervisory experience and the ability to build strong teams.
• Excellent leadership qualities including interpersonal and communication skills.
• Exceptional problem solving abilities.
• Ability to read, understand and interpret plans and specifications.
• Knowledge of parks specifications, methods and techniques.
• Must be able to work outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Ability to maintain accurate records.
• Knowledge of safe work practices related to equipment, tools and work in Parks Environment.
• Strong organizational and communication skills (written and verbal).
• Completion of secondary school along with 5 years experience in parks or landscape construction work environment.
• Valid Class 5 Driver\'s Licence with Air Brakes endorsement.

Education, Training & Experience

• Five years experience in horticultural construction and/or maintenance in a municipal or equivalent environment with supervisory experience (minimum two years preferred).
• Diploma in horticulture or related discipline from a recognized educational institute, including courses in landscape design, construction, maintenance, arboriculture, irrigation, turfgrass management, plant health care, safety, risk management and supervisory training.
• Completion of secondary school or equivalent.
• Valid BC Pesticide Applicator Certificate - Landscape General.
• B.C. Driver\'s Licence - Minimum of Class 5.

Preferred Training, Experience, Licences, Certificates

• Arborist Certification, including Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) - International Society of Arboriculture.
• Air endorsement on Valid BC Driver\'s Licence.

At the City of Penticton, we recognize that great talent and great ideas come from a variety of backgrounds. Tapping into the diversity of our community makes us all stronger and allows us to serve Penticton even better. We welcome all applicants to consider joining our team. We encourage Indigenous persons, people of colour, all genders and expressions, 2SLGBT2QIA+, persons living with disabilities, and others who reflect our ever-changing workplace to apply. So, if your experience is close to what we\'re looking for, we would love a chance to talk about working with you. We welcome your cover letter and resume by October 12, 2025.

Position type: Full-time Permanent (40 hours per week) Wage: $40.53 - $44.53 per hour (Pay Grade 14, CUPE) Benefits: Attractive benefits, vacation and pension package Competition #: 25-121