Summer Student - Parks Maintenance

The Corporation of the City of Sarnia; Sarnia; On-site; CAD 30,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A municipal government is looking for Summer Students for Parks Maintenance in Sarnia. The position involves working outdoors, performing maintenance duties, and providing rides on the children's Choo Choo Train. Candidates should be returning students with a valid G2 driver's licence and strong teamwork skills. This is a full-time role with varying hours including weekends, offering a competitive salary between $17.60 and $19.60. Training is mandatory on May 4-5, 2026.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Employee & Family Assistance Plan

Option to enroll in pension plan

Qualifications

• Must be a current student with plans to return to studies in September 2026.
• Valid G2 driver's licence required.
• Demonstrate safe work practices.

Responsibilities

• Perform general maintenance and clean-up of parks and public spaces.
• Operate the Canatara children’s Choo Choo Train.
• Work outdoors under various weather conditions.

Skills

Teamwork skills

Effective communication

Follow instructions

Safety consciousness

Education

Current student returning to full-time studies

Tools

Lawn maintenance equipment

Job description

Summer Student – Parks Maintenance

Job Status: Full -time Summer Student

Division: Community Services

Department: Park and Facility Services

Union: No union affiliation

Salary: $17.60 - $19.60

Closing Date: March 1, 2026

About The City Of Sarnia

Located at the mouth of the St. Clair River on the shores of Lake Huron, the community of Sarnia is known for its breathtaking waterfront, pristine beaches and beautiful parks system. Situated on the American border, just a short drive from London, Ontario, the community boasts a host of recreational opportunities, state‑of‑the‑art healthcare, a vibrant cultural scene, and excellent education paired with a high standard of living and mild climate.

Ranked one of the most affordable medium‑sized cities in Ontario, Sarnia, with its 72,000 residents, is home to over 1,000 acres of parkland and 40 km of trails in addition to 4 golf courses, 16 art galleries, 6 museums, and 3 theatres across the County.

The Role

Did you know that the City of Sarnia owns and manages over 110 parks? Would you love to work outdoors this summer while caring for these parks and public spaces? Parks maintenance students work hard in extreme summer conditions and bring an exceptional level of service to our City’s green spaces while interacting positively with the public.

You will work as part of a team and will perform a variety of general maintenance and clean‑up duties to ensure our parks and public spaces are enjoyed by citizens and visitors alike. Additionally, you will be responsible for the operation of the Canatara children’s Choo Choo Train, providing rides around the Animal Farm and Canatara Park for visitors.

Working conditions include physical labour with moderate to heavy lifting, the use of small tools and lawn maintenance equipment (push mowers, trimmers), and require mental alertness to ensure the safety of yourself and others.

Vacancies: Up to 17

Term

Successful candidates will be expected to be available for the full duration of the employment term.

• May 4, 2026 – August 14, 2026

Mandatory Training

All student employees must be available to attend mandatory training.

• Monday, May 4, 2026 & Tuesday, May 5, 2026

Requirements

• Current student, returning to full‑time studies in September 2026
• Valid G2 drivers licence with an abstract acceptable to City guidelines
• Safety conscious and always demonstrate safe work practices
• Follow instructions well
• Excellent teamwork skills
• Ability to communicate effectively in a professional manner

Working Conditions

• Outdoors in all weather conditions
• Physical labour
• Small tools and lawn maintenance equipment (push mowers, trimmers)

Hours of Work

• 40 hours per week
• Shift work including weekdays, weekends, evenings and holidays

Why Work With Us

It’s an opportunity to work in a dynamic and collaborative environment where your organizational skills, attention to detail, and professionalism will be highly valued.

For temporary employees, the City offers competitive salaries, access to our Employee & Family Assistance Plan (EFAP), and the option to enrol in the OMERS (Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System) pension plan.

We are an inclusive and equitable Corporation that encourages applications from qualified individuals of all genders, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities and Indigenous persons. Appropriate accommodations will be provided upon request throughout the hiring process as required by the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and the Ontario Human Rights Code. Information received relating to accommodation and diversity will be addressed confidentially.

Personal information is being collected under the authority of the Municipal Act and will be used to determine the qualifications for employment with The Corporation of the City of Sarnia. Questions about this collection should be directed to the City Clerk, 255 Christina St. N., Sarnia, ON N7T 7N2, 519‑332‑0330 ext. 3366.

Please note this recruitment is for existing vacancies.