Landscape Horticulturist

LANDSCAPE HORTICULTURIST

Recognized for its diversity, dedication to inclusion, and strong partnerships with the community, the Richmond School District is among one of the largest districts in British Columbia with some of the highest graduation rates in the province. With a long history of providing high quality experiences for students, the Richmond School District strives to be “The Best Place to Learn and Lead.”

Richmond School District operates 38 elementary schools, 10 secondary schools, alternate programs, continuing education and a number of additional facilities. The district enrolls approximately 21,000 students (K-12) and employs over 3000 dedicated staff.

We are currently looking for a permanent Landscape Horticulturist to join our Facilities Services department. This position assists in assigning and overseeing specific Grounds Services jobs and performing planning, maintenance, alteration, and construction at the journeyman level across the district’s 53 facilities.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Designs, builds and lays out landscaped areas such as flower beds, courtyards and pathways including overseeing the preparation and proper drainage of sites such as adventure playgrounds, portables and paved areas.
• Plans, maintains, repairs and installs landscaping around District facilities, such as planting, weeding, pruning, storm drainage and general clean up.
• Maintains, repairs and installs areas such as pathways, play areas, parking lots, portables, hockey rinks and playgrounds.
• Maintains and repairs Adventure installs, repairs and maintains other playground equipment such as goal posts, freestanding basketball hoops and tetherball posts.
• Operates a variety of vehicles and equipment such as a dump truck, jackhammer, lawnmower and various hand and power tools.
• Assists the Coordinator of Grounds Services in assigning and checking work performed by outside contractors such as asphalting, tree removal and concrete pathways.
• Ensures compliance with District and Government health and safety procedures and regulations that relate to the work performed to minimize potential for accidents, injuries or hazards within the Grounds Services department.
• Trains and advises Grounds Services employees in techniques and procedures related to gardening, landscaping and manual labour.
• May perform manual labour such as moving furniture and equipment, removing wall carpeting and floor tiles, shoveling snow, digging trenches, mixing and laying concrete.
• Inspects and maintains district vehicles for safe operation and reports defects to the supervisor as per District procedures. Performs minor maintenance such as keeping it clean and adding operating fluids as required.
• Maintains the confidentiality of sensitive information seen or heard.
• Performs other related job duties of comparable importance, difficulty and responsibility as necessary.

Required Qualifications

• Grade 12 or equivalent plus a BC or Interprovincial Certificate of Apprenticeship in Landscape Horticulture or equivalent apprenticeship training and a BC or Interprovincial Certificate of Qualification (T.Q.);
• Two (2) years’ experience at a journeyman level Landscape Horticulture;
• Thorough knowledge of current techniques, methods, procedures, regulations, standards and materials applicable to the trade;
• Competency in the use and care of tools and equipment common to the trade;
• Ability to organize workload, work under periodic pressure and complete assignments with minimal supervision;
• Ability to perform physical activities such as lifting, pushing, pulling and moving heavy objects, performing manual labour and working in a variety of work locations and conditions;
• Valid Class 5 BC Driver’s License;

Interested applicants MUST provide proof of TQ/Red Seal qualifications to be considered.

This is a unionized position that offers a 40-hour work week with an hourly wage of $40.75, plus a comprehensive benefit package including Municipal Pension, health, vacation, and sick benefits.

For more information about Richmond School District 38, please visit www.makeafuture.ca/richmond or our website at www.sd38.bc.ca.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however ONLY those being considered for interviews will be contacted.

Richmond School District is committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that represents the community we so proudly serve. Our ability to provide the best education for our student population relies on a rich diversity of skills, knowledge, backgrounds and experiences. Indigenous applicants, people of colour, all genders, 2SLGBTQ+ and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.