We are seeking a Senior Gardener and Team Lead with a combination of horticultural, supervisory, and work-planning experience who can help drive the growth of a small, family-owned and operated gardening service in Downtown Toronto. Most of our work focuses on sustainable maintenance of lawn-free perennial gardens, sometimes alongside our clients, who are often passionate gardeners.
Reporting to the Founder, you will be responsible for service fulfillment through supervision, training, and support of the gardening team. You will also collaborate with administrative staff to support client communication, service planning and scheduling.
Your Primary Responsibilities will be:
- Working alongside and monitoring and supporting the work of gardening field staff through direct supervision, training, and sourcing of supplies.
- Gardening, independently at times, to execute all tasks involved in regular perennial garden maintenance.
- Collaborating with the Founder and horticultural team to develop seasonal maintenance plans for perennial gardens, which are respectful of client priorities while incorporating best horticultural practices and eco-sensitive approaches.
- Collaborating with the Founder and the Operations Coordinator to coordinate daily logistics and implement maintenance plans, respond to client service requests, and meet business performance targets.
- Ensuring records of service delivery are accurate and timely (with the support of the admin team).
- Additional tasks will include organizing supplies and storage areas, sourcing and keeping inventory of materials, and other duties customary in running a small gardening business.
From time to time, attending after-hours training or social events hosted by organizations such as Landscape Ontario or the Toronto Botanical Gardens will be expected and compensated for.
Minimum Qualifications:
- G licensed to drive and with an insurable driving record is required.
- Minimum of two years of experience gardening professionally for another company within the last five years
- Demonstrable horticultural knowledge based on education and/or personal interest beyond your work experience, particularly of shrubs, perennials, and ecological garden care including best practices and the ability to diagnose likely causes of plant and garden problems
- Demonstrable work planning and scheduling skills.
- Ability to follow and write specific written instructions in English.
- Proficiency in Google Workspace both in desktop and mobile device, and other computer skills
- At least two years of supervisory experience in any area
About You:
A personable, conscientious and efficient worker, you have an eye for detail along with the ability to prioritize tasks based on diverse client profiles. You value and nurture relationships with clients and colleagues, and you are a careful and attentive listener. You are able to clarify our clients’ desires and implement them in the garden. With colleagues, you are a communicator who is open to feedback and committed to professional improvement. You are an experienced supervisor, able to drive and motivate performance while fostering an inclusive work culture.
You are passionate about plants, committed to a career in horticulture, and keen to work in an environment that supports the continuous development of your skills and knowledge.
Working Conditions:
- Repetitive tasks including extended periods of bending, crouching, kneeling, moving about work site, working with manual dexterity.
- Lifting and carrying up to 50 lbs. on a regular and consistent basis
- Exposed to exterior elements (i.e. pollen, cold, heat, etc.)
- Early starts and long days: work weeks generally do not exceed 44 hours and workdays will not exceed ten hours. Our standard workday is eight hours, however, flexibility, particularly at the height of the season, is expected.
Salary $28 to $35 per hour, depending on experience. The candidate at the top of the scale has completed their Horticultural Technician Red Seal, has extensive horticultural knowledge, including the ability to problem solve plant health and other garden problems, and has at least three years of experience working for a larger gardening service in a supervisory and training role.
Application process:
Please submit a resume and cover letter to gardens@bloomingcity.com.
In your cover letter please tell us where you see yourself professionally in the future and how you believe working with us could support you in achieving those goals. The selection process will involve a preliminary interview. Candidates will then be invited for a trial shift and second interview, which will be paid time.