Horticulture Specialist

**Location**:
Trinity Village Retirement Community, 2711 Kingsway Dr., Kitchener, ON N2C 2T2
**Position start/end dates**:
May 6th to August 23rd, 2024
**Position Condition**:
This job is partially funded through Canada Summer Jobs 2024 with conditions for employment.
**Job Requirements**:
Current Vulnerable Sector Police Check (if over 18 years of age)
TB skin test
**Remuneration**:
$17.50-17.90/hr for a possible 30-40 hours/week and may include a portion of the weekend.
**What you will encounter at Trinity Village Horticulture**
You jump right in:
.It’s the middle of propagation season:
hundreds of crop plants destined for our garden installations are being propagated, transplanted, and nurtured along. They need your care. Garden beds are receiving spring prep for the seedlings. Time to get dirt under the nails. Summer programming for our elders is being designed and organized. The apiary is being supported for the spring nectar flow. As soon as you begin there is the gear up for spring planting and the passion to design the garden landscape for summer’s explosion of life. Opportunities to help assist elders in their own gardens are balanced with the need to get tender crops in the ground. Spring planting gives way to the implementation of the landscape maintenance program. It’s a grand entrance to summer horticulture at Trinity Village, full of spontaneous interactions, flower bouquets and bountiful harvests for the kitchens. You are here to bring the gardens to life and garden life to the community.
**Position Description**
Together with other team members, under the guidance of the Horticulture Program Manager, you learn practical environmental stewardship:
managing our garden landscape using sustainable, earth-conscious practices.
Organize, design, and install garden beds and surrounding hardscape to create inviting spots for elders and staff linger and explore.
- Prepare garden beds
- Install planters and hardscape in garden areas
- Plant annuals and perennials as per landscape plan
- Sow seed in prepared beds
Take leadership in the physical maintenance of several different assigned garden beds for the duration of employment:
- Identify landscape annuals, perennials, weeds and seedlings in your garden beds.
- Weed and mulch through the beds.
- Manage plant health and growing conditions
- Test, repair and maintain irrigation lines and irrigation schedule
- Engage with Elders and their families daily.
- Assist the Horticulture Program Manager in providing elder-centred nature and garden programs.
- Harvest, condition and arrange cut flowers for the weekly cut flower subscription program.
Assist in other agricultural and apiculture areas on the property as needed.
Be an important member of the Horticulture team, developing leadership in sustainable horticulture;
improving communicationskills and collaboration to accomplish project goals;
practicing problem-solving horticulture skills to maintain the garden landscape as a lush inviting retreat through the ever-changing summer environment.
**Required Skills and Abilities**
Demonstrated interest in Horticulture or floriculture
Demonstrated interest in Recreation with Senior Citizens
Demonstrated willingness and endurance to accomplish strenuous, repetitive tasks in the heat of summer
Demonstrated willingness to learn new skill sets
Patience, flexibility, open mindedness, interpersonal communication skills
**Preferred Skills and Abilities**
Basic plant knowledge and identification
Basic gardening skills including planting, weeding, water conservation
An outgoing, spontaneous personality with an ability to form meaningful relationships
Experience working with seniors
1. A letter outlining your interest in the position and how your skills and abilities fulfill the position description.
2. A copy of your most recent resume.
3. Two references who have agreed to be contacted to discuss your suitability for the position.
**Job Types**:
Full-time, Seasonal
Contract length:
14-16 weeks
**Salary**:
$17.50-$17.90 per hour
Expected hours:
30 - 40 per week
Schedule:
- Day shift
Work Location:
In person
Application deadline:
2023-03-21
Expected start date:
2024-05-06