Horticulturist

Position Summary: Reporting to the Supervisor, Operations, the Horticulturist supports daily activities of horticulture services within the division. The Horticulturist will be responsible for the design, ordering, installation, and maintenance of Town landscapes, gardens, and plant collections. This role ensures public spaces are safe functional and aesthetically pleasing while enhancing the environmental and social value of the Town’s green infrastructure. This role will provide technical expertise in plant selection, soil management, pest control, and landscape practices. Provide guidance and training to other staff including seasonal and summer staff. Work Schedule • 40 hours per week. Afternoon, Midnight and Standby shifts will be required. • Overtime hours may be offered in accordance with the Collective Agreement. Major Job Responsibilities Execute day to day activities related to horticulture operations: •Performs and assists in directing and coordinating day-to-day activities for summer and seasonal staff, instructs in the use of proper safety equipment, oversee the proper usage of tools and equipment, mentoring and updating horticulture best practices •Responsible for growing, planting, pruning, weeding, fertilizing, watering, and general maintenance of trees, shrubs, annuals, perennials, and turf •Coordinate seasonal display installations, including hanging baskets, planters, and decorative arrangements •Monitor plant health and soil conditions; identify and respond to pest or disease issues. •Maintain and operate irrigation systems and hand-watering programs •Responsible for monitoring and identifying pests (insect, fungal, invasive and noxious plants), prevention and control of pests as part of the Integrated Pest Management program (IPM) in alignment with practices directed by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) and in alignment with a Commercial Pest Management License •Grass cutting/trimming, vegetation control, maintenance and landscaping on boulevards, parks, trails, trailheads, town owned lands and facilities as scheduled or as required •Performing horticulture duties such watering, pruning, fertilizing, cultivating, and mulching of beds and gardens to enhance horticultural areas within parks, road allowance & traffic medians throughout the Town •During the winter, plow/salt and remove snow on various Town owned roadways, parking lots and facilities using shovels, dump trucks, tractors, loaders etc.; install, flood and maintain seasonal public ice rinks •Perform other duties as assigned Health and Safety, Customer Service •Submits neat and complete written and electronic records including time sheets, maintenance history report forms and other records as directed •Performs manual labour requiring lifting over 50 lbs •Follows equipment operating guidelines •Ensures all PPE is utilized and worn as per requirements •Performs pre and post audits of all equipment utilized •Completes equipment work order forms as required •Responds to customer inquiries according to established procedures and approved decision-making framework •Maintains ongoing communication with internal staff and contractors to maintain a high level of efficiency and service •Complies with all health and safety practices as it relates to the work, standard operating guidelines and the Occupational Health and Safety Act