Job Description

The Municipality of Chatham-Kent is currently accepting applications for a Horticulture Coordinator Student (Wallaceburg). This position will start approximately May 5, 2025, for a period up to August 29, 2025.Job descriptionThe Horticulture Coordinator Student coordinates the horticultural activities within Wallaceburg by working closely with municipal staff, volunteers, and the business community. The student will also provide leadership support to the Wallaceburg Horticulture Maintenance student while installing and maintaining the horticultural aspects and overall tidiness of Wallaceburg's public spaces, downtown corridor and parks.Essential responsibilities

• Demonstrate Chatham-Kent's core values and competencies
• Provide leadership support to the Wallaceburg CK Horticulture student while sharing maintenance responsibilities
• Report vandalism and maintenance issues
• Liaise with municipal, community, and business associates regarding horticultural efforts
• Coordinate the horticultural maintenance activities within the community of Wallaceburg
• Watering of plant material located in beds, boxes, planters, baskets, etc. using various watering systems
• Assist with weed removal, planting and pruning of trees, shrubs, groundcover, and flowers using tools such as trowels, shovels, hoes, rakes, edgers, pruners, shears, loppers and some small equipment
• Assist with general community cleanup and litter control
• Assist with painting waste containers and/or benches
• Maintain records, and prepare annual report of season's horticultural practices and procedures
• Work outdoors, with occasional weekend hours

Essential qualifications

• To qualify for this summer student position, students must currently be enrolled in school full-time for the 2024/2025 winter term (normally ending April, May or June) and/or returning to school full-time in the 2025 fall term (normally starting in August or September)
• Preference will be given to students currently enrolled in a post-secondary program
• Experience as a team leader
• Experience with/ knowledge of (including identifying and caring of) annual and perennial plants, weeds, shrubs
• Experience using and working knowledge of garden tools and small equipment
• Must be self-motivated, self-directed, with excellent time management skills
• Experience installing and maintaining horticultural landscape and floral displays
• Basic computer skills, specifically Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) (or similar programs)

Certifications, memberships, licenses

• Current First Aid/CPR certificate

Work environment/hours of work

• This position works outdoors
• This position works weekday and occasional weekend hours

COVID-19 VaccinationThe Municipality of Chatham-Kent no longer requires a COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment. Although it is not mandatory to be vaccinated, it is highly encouraged.Driver's licence/vehicle requirementsBecause of the responsibilities, this position requires the successful candidate to have a valid class G or G2 Ontario driver's licence; a driver's abstract will be conducted by the Municipality of Chatham-Kent. An acceptable driver's abstract will: be an original document and current (within the previous thirty (30) days); have no more than four (4) demerit points; have no more than two (2) convictions for the same offence; have no criminal code convictions; have no 'non-medical or administrative' licence suspension in the preceding three (3) years.Background check requirementsBecause of the environment this position will be working in, the successful candidate will be required to furnish an original Police Information Search (criminal reference check) prior to commencement of employment.Essential physical and/or safety requirements

• Because of the responsibilities of this position, students should have physical strength and ability to perform moderate to heavy lifting, up to 22 kg (50 lbs.) while working with landscaping material, litter, etc.
• Able to work outside in all weather conditions
• Bending: frequent kneeling, crouching, squatting (weeding, planting, deadheading, picking up refuse)
• Walking: frequent walking on rough surface (curbs, sidewalks, pathways; park grassland areas; river, or creek banks, sloped parkland; tilled gardens & landscaped areas)
• Reaching: frequent reaching below shoulder (tree /shrub trimming; loading equipment & debris into truck/vehicle; weeding; watering hanging baskets)
• Lifting: frequent lifting floor to waist, waist to shoulder (up to 22.73 kgs or 50 lbs) (loading refuse, plants, shrubs, trees into vehicles; moving plant materials throughout work sites; move or using tools and small equipment around and between work locations)
• Hands: frequent fine finger dexterity (movement), gripping, pinching (hand weeding; water wand, large and small hand tools; pinching back plant material; written records & computer documentation for yearend report)

BenefitsThis summer student position will receive vacation and statutory benefits in accordance with Employment Standards Act.The Municipality of Chatham-Kent is an equal opportunity employer, committed to fair and accessible employment practices that attract and retain talented employees in a workplace that is inclusive, supportive, and reflective of the diverse community we serve.Should you require accommodations during the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources & Organizational Development (HROD) at 519-360-1998. Applicant information is collected under the authority of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Privacy legislation and will be used strictly for the purpose of candidate selection.

Chatham-Kent