General gaRDEnER

Equipment Operator

Job Summary

General gardeners carry out landscaping operations for a landscape gardener or large resort or hotel employer, in a variety of settings, including residential, hotels, commercial and public grounds, playgrounds and golf courses.

Responsibilities

In consultation with clients and landscape gardeners, install and maintain plants, trees, gardens, lawns, walkways and other landscaping features. In general, they:

Prepare the ground for planting

Plant and transplant nursery stock

Seed and sod lawns

Trim and prune hedges, trees and shrubs

Care for established lawns

Install rock gardens, ponds, decks, drainage systems, irrigation systems, retaining walls, fences, planters or playground equipment as approved by the regulating authority if applicable

Plant and maintain flowers and ground covers

Provide advice to customers on plant selection and care.

Landscape gardeners work with machinery and equipment ranging from simple hand tools such as pruning shears and sprayers to heavy-duty trucks, tractors, loaders and graders. They may be responsible for the routine maintenance of equipment and for making minor repairs.

Health & Safety

Working safely is a condition of employment.

Qualifications

Apprenticeship Trade - Grade 9

Also helpful would be:

·         Knowledge of golf (if applicable)

·         Perform/interact in a team setting

·         Ability to operate a standard transmission

·         Valid driver’s license

·         Work with limited supervision

·         Golf course/and or landscaping experience

Physical condition to:

·         Walk at a brisk pace continuously

·         Kneeling

·         Work in any type of weather

·         Working bent over

·         Lift 20-30kg/44-66lbs.

Personal Qualities

Physical strength and stamina

Good eyesight and colour vision

The ability to work in all kinds of weather

No allergies to plants or chemicals

The ability to work independently or with others.

They should enjoy working with plants and expressing their creativity through plant arrangement and design.

Advancement Opportunities?    

Can become a landscape gardener

To work in Alberta, landscape gardeners must be ONE of the following:

Registered apprentices

Certified journeymen

Working for an employer who is satisfied that they have the skills and knowledge expected of certified journeymen

Self-employed

To Register with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training, apprentices must:

Have at least Alberta Grade 9 education or equivalent or pass an entrance exam

Find a suitable employer who is willing to hire and train an apprentice. Most employers prefer to hire high school graduates and may select apprentices from among their current employees.

Pay Range

General Gardener/Equipment Operator $9.48 -  $11.50 per hour