Seasonal - Gardener

Town of Oakville; Oakville; On-site; CAD 30,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A municipal government in Oakville is seeking a knowledgeable Gardener for a temporary full-time position. Responsibilities include supervising staff and performing horticultural activities such as planting and maintaining plants on Town properties. Applicants must have relevant horticulture qualifications, experience, and a valid driver's license. This role requires effective communication skills, the ability to organize work, and willingness to work in varying weather conditions. This position offers a competitive salary and a dynamic work environment.

Qualifications

• 2–3 years' training and practical experience in parks horticultural work.
• Must possess a valid Ontario Driver’s Licence Class G.
• A valid Ontario Ministry of Environment Landscape Exterminator License is required.

Responsibilities

• Design floral areas and organize work resources.
• Operate tools and perform daily safety checks.
• Supervise part-time staff and maintain records of work activities.
• Apply safety precautions in accordance with relevant laws.

Skills

Knowledge of common diseases and insects control

Effective communication skills

Problem-solving skills

Ability to work with limited supervision

Education

Certificate or diploma in horticulture

Tools

Horticultural tools and equipment

Job description

Job Details: Temporary Full Time (CUPE 136T)

Posting Status: Open to all current Town of Oakville employees and external applicants.

Duration: Eight contracts lasting up to eight months, commencing in April and ending in November.

Internal secondment applications are welcome. Please note, however, that members of management will not be considered for secondments into bargaining unit positions.

Closing Date: Applications for this position must be received at oakville.ca by no later than 11:59pm on January 16, 2026.

Temporary Rate: $34.99 Full Time Rate: $35.59

This job posting is for an existing vacancy and therefore will be filled accordingly.

Reporting to the Horticulture Supervisor, the Gardener receives daily direction from the Leadhand, and performs horticultural activities, including planting, transplanting, cultivating, pruning, fertilizing, and spraying of trees, shrubs, annuals and perennials on Town properties, according to current policies and horticultural practices.

Job Responsibilities

• Design floral and shrub areas, schedule work, and organize resources such as supplies, tools, and equipment.
• Operate all related tools and equipment in a safe and efficient manner. Perform, and ensure designated staff perform, daily circle checks on all equipment.
• Supervise part‑time staff and instruct all support staff in the safe and efficient use, care and maintenance of tools and equipment, and horticultural practices.
• Maintain daily electronic records of work‑related activities, work orders, emails, CVOR Hours of Service, IPM spray logs and forecasted work.
• Apply, and ensure crew members apply, safety precautions and procedures in the performance of duties and in accordance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act, Ministry of Transportation Temporary Conditions for Road Work, and policies of the Corporation.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Certificate or diploma in horticulture, or related discipline, from a recognized institution or acceptable equivalent in education and experience.
• Must have good knowledge of the symptoms and methods of control of common diseases and insects that attack horticultural displays with an emphasis on integrated pest management (IPM).
• 2–3 years’ training and practical experience in parks horticultural work. A valid Ontario Ministry of Environment Landscape Exterminator License is required.
• Must be a self‑starter and capable of prioritizing and scheduling horticultural work effectively.
• Must possess an understanding of the Highway Traffic Act and knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
• Demonstrated effective communication, both oral and written, customer service and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to work with limited supervision and to work as part of a team.
• Must hold and provide a copy of a valid and unrestricted Ontario Driver’s Licence Class G minimum (standard and automatic transmission) with a driving record that demonstrates responsible and safe driving behaviour. Note: Applicants with six or more points are ineligible for consideration. The successful applicant, who is a new hire, will be required to provide the Corporation with a current drivers abstract (no older than 30 days) and pass a Town administered road test as a condition of employment.
• Must be willing to work a 40‑hour workweek in varying weather conditions and be available for shift work as required including rotating weekend shifts.

DATED: December 18, 2025

The town’s recruitment software includes elements of artificial intelligence to assist in the screening and short listing of qualified candidates.

This job profile reflects the general requirements necessary to perform the principal functions of the job. This does not include all the work requirements of the job. Applicants are required to demonstrate through their application and in the interview process that their qualifications match those specified. The minimum threshold score for each of the testing and interview components of the recruitment process is 70%.

We thank all applicants and advise that only those selected for an interview will be contacted.