Plant and Tree Specialist - 8-month Contract

Reporting to the Supervisor, Recreation Infrastructure, this position is responsible for the creation, coordination and implementation of the County of Grande Prairie’s Greenspace Maintenance Plan. The Plan encompasses greens space maintenance for subdivisions, hamlets, County facilities and cemeteries. This position includes supervising a seasonal Greenspace Labourer – Plant Maintenance position and manual labour during the summer season and also provides winter snow clearing at various County facilities. Physical work represents approximately 70% of the position, the other 30% being administrative work to support this role.

Greenspace Maintenance and Seasonal Supervision [approximately 55% of job function]

• Keep current on landscape and horticultural trends to ensure that County greenspace procedures follow current best practices.
• Manage the Greenspace operating budget in a fiscally responsible manner
• Actively participate and physically contribute to the landscaping, plant maintenance, trimming, pruning, tree watering and other general tasks alongside seasonal personnel. Moderate physical labour and effort is required.
• Supervise and track relevant data and ensure the efficient implementation of the current Greenspace Maintenance Plan

Winter Responsibilities [approximately 20% of job function]

• During the winter months, operate equipment to perform snow clearing on County property including trails, under the responsibilities of the Recreation and Culture Department as directed by the Supervisor, Recreation Infrastructure
• Winter snow clearing duties include manual labour and the operation of relevant equipment, including fleet maintenance as directed
• Receive applications, coordinate site inspections and ensure ongoing compliance for seasonal Neighbourhood Ice Surfaces, with assistance from the Sportsplex Lead Hand.

Administrative Responsibilities [approximately 20%] of job function]

• Anticipate equipment/planning/constructing requirements and make recommendations to the Director when developing the budget and purchasing the necessary items.
• Assist the Director with developing annual budgets and managing budget areas designated by the Director.
• Hire and coordinate landscape contractors for projects beyond the scope of internal groundskeeping capabilities

Inter Department Responsibilities [approximately 5% of job function]

• Coordinate with the Supervisor, Recreation Infrastructure to ensure that participating Communities in Bloom. Provide Transportation and Utilities with direction and input on developer landscape drawings before construction, as required
• Provide input as required to communities that access the K12 Community Beautification Initiatives policy