City : Hamilton

Category : Other

Industry : Education

Employer : McMaster University

As part of an essential services team within Facility Services at McMaster University, our Gardeners play a vital role in maintaining the beauty, safety, and functionality of our campus grounds year-round. In addition to regular duties such as lawn care, planting, pruning, and general landscape maintenance, Gardeners are also key contributors to campus safety during the winter months, and participating on-call to support snow and ice removal. With thousands of people using our facilities every day—including during evenings, weekends, and holidays—this role is critical to ensuring that our outdoor spaces remain accessible and safe in all seasons. Whether maintaining vibrant gardens or responding to winter weather, Gardeners help create a welcoming and safe environment that supports the operations of our campus community.

JOB SUMMARY
Under general supervision, the Gardener is responsible for the general maintenance of the campus grounds including, gardens, trees, and lawns. Preserve the horticultural, landscape and turf elements on all areas of the campus.

Primary Accountabilities

• Perform a variety of maintenance duties including, but not limited to, grass cutting, waste removal, planting, irrigation maintenance, pruning and snow clearing.
• Operate maintenance equipment associated with landscaped areas including but not limited to, mowers, rototiller, weed trimmers and chain saws.
• Service equipment, including, but not limited to; cleaning, lubricating and refueling.
• Complete routine repairs to campus roads, parking lots and sidewalks using gravel and asphalt patches.
• Provide information to a variety of individuals on campus related to the general maintenance of the campus grounds.
• Provide recommendations to Supervisor related to the general maintenance of the campus grounds.
• Update and maintain information and records.

General Accountabilities

• Operate within established security and safety regulations.
• Communicate with fellow workers, faculty, students, staff and visitors in an appropriate and effective manner.
• Perform job assignments in an efficient and effective manner with minimum supervision.
• In a position of trust, perform job assignments in an efficient and effective manner.

Qualifications

Education: Grade 12 Diploma or equivalent, 1 year Horticulture Technician program

Experience: 6-months of related experience

Effort

• Required to lift and carry equipment and supplies (up to 50 lbs).
• Required to stand for prolonged periods of time.
• Required to work in awkward positions and to work with hands above head for prolonged periods of time.

Working Conditions

• Work is conducted in University owned and operated buildings and surrounding grounds.
• Work may be conducted in an outdoor setting with exposure to inclement weather, dust and dirt.
• Occasionally required to work at heights.
• Exposure to loud noise and vibration from machinery and tools.
• Required to work independently, in teams, alone and/or in isolated work environments.
• Required to operate a motor vehicle or golf cart for transportation on campus.
• Required to wear personal protective equipment.

Supervision

• May be required to be a day-to-day resource on work procedures to students and casual staff.

THE ACCOUNTABILITIES DESCRIBED ARE REPRESENTATIVE IN NATURE AND ARE NOT INCLUSIVE OF ALL JOB DUTIES. PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A SAFETY SENSITIVE JOB.