Employment Opportunity Landscape Technician/Groundskeeper Full Time - Permanent The Town of Essex is currently accepting resumes for the position Landscape Technician/ Groundskeeper. Reporting to the Manager, Parks & Facilities this position is responsible to perform a variety of skilled horticultural activities and park maintenance on a wide range of Community Services properties and facilities throughout the Town of Essex. This position will assist with project planning, verifying and maintaining records for all daily work performed. Minimum Qualifications: Recognized University or College degree or diploma in Horticulture with specific courses including but not limited to: Landscape Design and Construction, Arboriculture Practices, Planting and Designing, Plant Identification, Equipment Operations, Fruit and Vegetable Culture, Plant Pest and Disease Diagnosis, Plant Health Care, Principals of Soils, Turf Grass Management, and Green House Production Working knowledge of the Landscape program Dyna Scape will be considered an asset Valid Ministry of the Environment Pesticide Exterminator Licenses - Landscape, Forestry and Industrial Vegetation Valid Class G driver s license (Valid Class D with Z endorsement considered an asset) Current Standard First Aid/CPR/ Automatic External Defibrillator certification Knowledge of all applicable safety legislation, rules, policies and procedures including a working knowledge of applicable chemicals and pesticides usage, control and storage. Must have the ability to safely operate small and large vehicles and equipment applicable to horticulture. Ability to work with a wide range of hand tools Ability to read blueprints, schematics, field drawings and plans (March 2018) Page 1 of 6
Knowledge or proper horticultural practices, pest and disease identification and mitigation, landscape construction and utilizing the equipment necessary to perform these tasks. Excellent knowledge of botanical horticulture and broad range of plants A detailed job description is attached below. Interested and qualified candidates are invited to submit a cover letter and detailed resume no later than 4:30 p.m. on Monday, March 19, 2018 to: Mail Email Fax Manager, Human Resources 33 Talbot Street South Essex, ON N8M 1A8 hr@essex.ca clearly indicating Landscape Technician/ Groundskeeper in the subject line (519) 776-8811 While we appreciate all applications, we acknowledge only those applicants selected for an interview. The Town of Essex is an Equal Opportunity Employer that is committed to inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and selection processes and providing accommodations for people with disabilities. If you require an accommodation, we will work with you to meet your needs. Accommodation may be provided in all parts of the hiring process. (March 2018) Page 2 of 6
Position Description Position Title: Landscape Technician/Groundskeeper Department: Parks and Facilities Division: Community Services Immediate Supervisor: Manager Parks and Facilities Indirect Supervisor: Assistant Manager - Facilities and Harbour Bargaining Unit: CUPE Summary: Reporting to the Manager, Parks & Facilities the Landscape Technician/Groundskeeper is responsible to perform a variety of skilled horticultural activities and park maintenance on a wide range of Community Services properties and facilities throughout the Town of Essex. This position will assist with project planning, verifying and maintaining records for all daily work performed. Duties & Responsibilities: Horticulture: Trimming and pruning of flower beds including planters, carpet bedding, turf, trees and shrubs Trimming, adding materials, shading, tilling, evaluating, watering, deadheading of the beds, hanging plants planters etc. Performing skilled cultivating, transplanting, soil management, fertilizing and weed control as per the life cycle of the specific plant materials Monitoring for disease, blight, pests and makes recommendations and implements appropriate treatment Monitoring/assessing the maintenance of gardens, baskets, planters etc. Recommend corrective actions such as removal of plants or trees or remedial treatments as needed Recommend permanent and seasonal plantings, as appropriate, including plant selection and plant procurement (March 2018) Page 3 of 6
Assisting in selecting the proper grass seed for over seeding, seeding new turf, parks, sports fields, islands, boulevards, lawns etc. Top dress, aerate, roll and vacuum all existing turf areas including the sports fields throughout the Town of Essex Sodding new lawns and damaged areas throughout the Town of Essex Assist in developing and implementing new landscape designs and drawings Attending the Communities In Bloom monthly meetings Assisting the Manager in the preparation for annual budgets related to the grounds and horticultural needs Responsible for maintaining stocks and inventories as required Grounds Keeping: Executing interlocking brick installations, along with repairs and maintenance Mowing and fertilizing where required in the parks, sports fields and any other turf in the Town of Essex; must be able to calibrate fertilizer equipment appropriately Assisting in lawn maintenance and related procedures Operating equipment such as front end loaders, tractors, mowers, trucks, attachments pulled by tractors, lifts, chain saws, chippers, weed whackers etc. Performing snow removal and de-icing, as necessary, to sidewalks around Municipal facilities Painting and maintaining park benches picnic tables, bleachers and equipment Performing building maintenance including cleaning, painting, and exterior clean up Assisting with special events, including but not limited to clean up, moving picnic tables, moving and emptying waste receptacles, pick up garbage and other debris, deliver items as required Other: Representing the department professionally through effective and courteous verbal and written communications with the public/patrons Ensuring record keeping, forms, checklists are accurate and submitted in a timely manner (March 2018) Page 4 of 6
Ensuring the safety of parks and recreation site visitors and the public at large during the performance of work by following established hazard notification procedures, and cordoning off work areas Must adhere to all Corporate Policies, the Occupational Health & Safety Act, the Corporations Health & Safety Policy and all other relevant legislation as it applies to the workplace To take an active part in the in service training program set up by the Management To become fully knowledgeable in the programs offered at the municipal facilities and be able to accurately educate the public and respond to inquiries Obtain clearance from the Manager before purchasing any equipment, tools, products etc. related to the job Perform other related duties as required Working Conditions: Occasional exposure to the elements, hazardous conditions, chemicals and materials Repetitive tasks Combination of sitting, standing, walking, kneeling Standing for extended periods, bending, crouching and kneeling Able to work various shifts as required, including evenings, weekends and holidays Working with the public Handling of heavy loads (50 lbs.) Travel to the site, and off site-locations will be required Special Skills: Ability to work cooperatively and effectively in a team environment as well as independently Self-motivated individual with strong organizational, time management and prioritization skills Attention to detail Job task planning and organizing Strong oral communication skills (March 2018) Page 5 of 6
Minimum Qualifications: Recognized University or College degree or diploma in Horticulture with specific courses including but not limited to: Landscape Design and Construction, Arboriculture Practices, Planting and Designing, Plant Identification, Equipment Operations, Fruit and Vegetable Culture, Plant Pest and Disease Diagnosis, Plant Health Care, Principals of Soils, Turf Grass Management, and Green House Production Working knowledge of the Landscape program Dyna Scape will be considered an asset Valid Ministry of the Environment Pesticide Exterminator Licenses - Landscape, Forestry and Industrial Vegetation Valid Class G driver s license (Valid Class D with Z endorsement considered an asset) Current Standard First Aid/CPR/ Automatic External Defibrillator certification Knowledge of all applicable safety legislation, rules, policies and procedures including a working knowledge of applicable chemicals and pesticides usage, control and storage. Must have the ability to safely operate small and large vehicles and equipment applicable to horticulture Ability to work with a wide range of hand tools Ability to read blueprints, schematics, field drawings and plans Knowledge or proper horticultural practices, pest and disease identification and mitigation, landscape construction and utilizing the equipment necessary to perform these tasks. Excellent knowledge of botanical horticulture and broad range of plants. (March 2018) Page 6 of 6