Spend Your Summer as a Parks Labourer with the City of Guelph
Why Work in Guelph?
The City of Guelph is more than just a workplace—it’s a community. With over 2,000 employees contributing to essential city services daily, working for the City of Guelph means being part of a team dedicated to making the city an inclusive, connected, and thriving place to live. Guided by the goals of the Future Guelph Strategic Plan and its core values—integrity, service, inclusion, wellness, and learning—the city fosters a supportive environment where employees feel valued and can make a meaningful difference.
Position Overview
The City of Guelph is looking for enthusiastic and motivated individuals to join the Parks team as Summer Labourers. These positions offer an opportunity to work outdoors, connect with the community, and play a key role in keeping the city’s parks, trails, and natural areas well-maintained and enjoyable. If you enjoy working as part of a team, appreciate hands-on work, and want a job that combines physical activity with community service, this role is perfect for you.
Available Positions
There are multiple opportunities for Parks Summer Labourers across several teams, each contributing to a specific aspect of park maintenance and beautification:
- Turf Maintenance: Responsible for keeping parks clean and lawns well-maintained for activities like picnics, reading, or playing games.
- Sports Fields Maintenance: Focuses on ensuring sports fields are clean and prepared for games, tournaments, and events. Tasks include maintaining the fields and collecting waste.
- Horticulture: Helps maintain the beauty of Guelph’s gardens by preparing flower beds, planting, pruning, fertilizing, and caring for trees, shrubs, and flowers.
- Park Infrastructure: Supports the upkeep of park buildings and structures, including cleaning, minor repairs, and safe operation of splash pads and amusement rides.
- Urban Forestry: Focuses on the care of young trees throughout the city to promote urban greenery.
- Trails Maintenance: Ensures trails are clean and safe for walking, cycling, and exploring. This includes waste collection and minor repairs.
- Natural Area Stewardship (NAS): Improves the ecological health of parks by planting trees, managing invasive species, and addressing human-wildlife interactions.
Qualifications for Success
To be eligible for these roles, candidates should meet the following criteria:
- Driver’s Licence: A valid G or G2 licence with at least two years of driving experience. Candidates must provide a clean driving abstract before the start date.
- Work Schedule: Ability to commit to work from April to August, with some roles extending through October.
- Physical Fitness: Must be capable of performing physical tasks like lifting, bending, and working outdoors in various weather conditions.
- Independence and Teamwork: Ability to work independently or as part of a team with minimal supervision.
- Customer Service: A strong focus on providing excellent service to park users.
- Additional Experience: Experience in landscaping, farming, construction, or similar fields is considered an asset. Volunteering or community involvement is also a plus.
Work Hours and Pay
These full-time, temporary positions require 40 hours of work per week, typically Monday to Friday. Specific hours may vary depending on team needs and weather conditions. The hourly wage is $17.23, with rates under review for 2025.
How to Apply
Applications open on December 16, 2024, and priority will be given to those submitted by February 2, 2025. The application process involves several steps:
- Create a profile and complete the online screening questionnaire specific to this role.
- Attach your resume and cover letter as a single document.
- Indicate the specific position(s) you’re interested in.
- Candidates who have an existing profile can log in to begin their application.
Registration portal - Apply here
A Commitment to Inclusion and Accessibility
The City of Guelph is an equal-opportunity employer that values diversity and inclusion. It is dedicated to creating a workplace where all employees feel welcome and respected. Employment practices are based on merit and organizational needs, with no tolerance for discrimination of any kind.
In accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, the city provides reasonable accommodations for applicants during the hiring process. If you require assistance, please reach out to the city’s team to make your needs known.
Why This Role Matters
Becoming a Parks Summer Labourer is an opportunity to make a tangible difference in the community. Whether you’re maintaining sports fields for local leagues or beautifying gardens for residents to enjoy, your work will leave a lasting impact. If you’re someone who enjoys physical work, thrives in outdoor settings, and values community engagement, this role offers an excellent way to spend your summer.
Apply today to join a team dedicated to enhancing the natural beauty and livability of Guelph!