Seasonal Gardener

Seasonal Gardener

Niagara Parks is currently recruiting for a Seasonal Gardener to join our Horticulture & Education team for the 2025 season.

This position compensates a rate of $26.12/hr for Seasonal Bargaining Unit and Part-Time employees.

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS

• 4% vacation pay;
• Passes to Niagara Parks attractions to share with family and friends;
• Free entry into all Niagara Parks attractions;
• Access to the Attractions Ontario Reciprocal Program;
• Free transportation on the Niagara Parks WEGO Bus Green Line and Falls Incline Railway;
• Free uniforms and parking;
• Employee discounts to Niagara Parks retail stores, culinary experiences, and golf experiences.

Seasonal Bargaining Unit and Part Time Employees Specific:

• Additional $1.55/hr for each hour worked in lieu of benefits (seasonal bargaining unit only);
• Eligible to enroll the company defined benefit pension plan.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Completion of a recognized diploma in Horticulture or equivalent knowledge and experience.
• Valid Class “G” Driver’s license.
• Working knowledge of gardening equipment.
• Valid Landscape Exterminator license.
• One (1) year practical experience plus one (1) on the job.
• Practical experience in Ornamental Horticulture; ability to carry out a variety of manual labour duties; interpersonal and communication skills; willingness to work weekends, afternoons, holidays, or other shifts as required for a seven (7) day operation
• Ability to work in extreme/inclement weather conditions.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Prepares the gardens for planting through laying out carpet beds & plants, fertilizing, watering, weeding, cultivating, pinching, trimming and edging carpet and flower beds at various locations.
• Records observations on plant performance, plant numbers, density, and makes recommendations on future bedding displays.
• Plants spring flowering bulbs.
• Stakes, ties-up or cuts down, labels, and divides perennials; prunes and earths-up rose bushes; prepares, lays, replaces, and fertilizes turf.
• Removes and dispenses annuals, sprays pesticides to control pests and diseases through an Integrated Pest Management approach; digs up plants for winter storage.
• Provides safe storage and accurate records on pesticides use.
• Provides periodic supervision of students performing basic gardening tasks.
• Plants, trims, prunes and labels trees and shrubs; ties up evergreens; rakes leaves as required.
• Provides maintenance of water gardens; operates irrigation systems and assists with minor repairs.
• Operates power equipment, front-end loaders and trucks as required.
• Loads, transports, unloads equipment and supplies to support parks maintenance operations; transports staff to various work sites.
• Circle checks equipment; cleans equipment and provides routine preventative maintenance; reports defects and concerns to supervisor.
• Salts, sands, and removes ice and snow from pathways, sidewalks, and parking lots.
• Removes litter as required, empties garbage cans, operates stationary compactor unit.
• Cleans and paints equipment such as garbage baskets and barbecues.
• Provides friendly customer service to both internal and external guests.
• Performs Greenhouse duties when required such as waters, pots, pricks off seedlings.
• As assigned.

The applications for the Seasonal Gardener positions will be ongoing, however, applications will be reviewed and considered as they are received.

The personal information in your candidate profile is collected under the authority of the Niagara Parks Act, R.S.O. 1990, C.N.3, s.4(l) and in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. It will be used to assess your qualifications for the job postings to which you apply. If successful, your information will also be used for the creation of your employee profile under the authority of the Employment Standards Act, 2000, c.41, s.15(1). We are an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with AODA (Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005), Niagara Parks will provide accommodations throughout the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process to applicants with disabilities. If you require disability – related accommodations, please inform the Human Resources (HR) staff. We  thank all applicants for their interest, however only those selected for an interview will be contacted. If you require additional information regarding the collection and use of the personal information in your candidate profile, or would like to request an alternate format, please contact Niagara Parks at 905.295.4377 or by e-mail at employment@niagaraparks.com.