Job Description

Horticulture Assistant The Riverwood Conservancy (TRC) is a volunteer- and member-based charity in Mississauga that provides programs to the community in nature and environmental education, natural areas stewardship / conservation and gardening.
In this full-time, experience-rich, career-path position, the Horticulture Assistant (HA) assists to maintain the many public gardens at Riverwood, a public park, under the supervision of the Gardens Coordinator. The HA schedules, supervises and leads summer youth volunteers with all daily garden activities to keep the gardens looking beautiful and allows students to fulfill their 40-hour community service requirements.

Position responsibilities:

• maintain the Chappell House gardens and assist to maintain the Enabling Garden and the greenhouse;

• Install annual flower beds and apply best management practices to maintain the gardens, including watering, weeding, mulching, fertilizing, dead-heading, planting and transplanting perennials;
• support volunteer gardeners;
• organize, schedule, track hours, supervise and lead summer youth volunteers;
• upon request and when available, assist the Enabling Garden Coordinator to set up, deliver and clean up Enabling Garden programs;
• work with community groups and volunteers of different ages and abilities;
• support the Conservation Program to plant native trees and perennials, as needed;
• support other summer staff to maintain turtles and frogs in teaching aquaria;
• support public education programs and special events, as needed.

Skills and qualifications:

• interest and some experience in gardening, landscaping, design, greenhouse, nursery, garden centre operations;

• some hands-on garden experience and ability to identify plants is an asset;
• sense of humour, excellent communication, organization and multi-tasking skills;
• demonstrated leadership skills;
• ability to work safely as a team and independently with minimal supervision;
• ability to lead by example and work with volunteers of diverse backgrounds;
• appreciation of the environment, gardening and out-of-doors work;
• a valid (Level 3) Vulnerable Sector Check is required, or the ability to acquire one;
• basic computer skills; attention to details to track volunteer hours;
• training in emergency first aid and CPR is an asset, or training will be provided;
• a valid class \xe2\x80\x9cG\xe2\x80\x9d driver\xe2\x80\x99s license is an asset;

Deliverable:

• A professional written report summarizing your experiences, accomplishments, and with recommendations for future management of the site and program.

Start date is expected to be June 19th with an end date of September 1st. The hourly wage is $16.00 per hour; work-week is Monday to Friday.
Interested candidates are required to submit a resume and cover letter which fully describes your gardening experience by email (PDF format only) by Friday May 12, 2023 to:
Brian Packham
Info@TheRiverwoodConservancy.org
Availability of position will be dependant on funding. The Riverwood Conservancy thanks everyone for applying but resources allow us to reply only to those candidates who are selected for an interview.