Grounds & Fields Technician

Grounds & Fields Technician

Shawnigan Lake School is seeking a Grounds & Fields Technician to join the team in providing day to day operations and maintenance to all grounds and fields facilities at the School.

We are seeking someone with significant experience working in commercial landscaping and/or athletic facility turf maintenance, as well as a background in horticulture.  This person will be keen to use their handyperson and troubleshooting skills as they keep our campus grounds and fields looking sharp year-round.  This role will require someone energetic who is able to work in all weather conditions and has the physical capacity to lift and carry 50-lbs, stand, walk and squat for extended periods of time.

This is a full-time, year-round position offering a salary in the range of $60,000 to $68,000 per annum (exact wage offered will be dependent on experience, related education and internal parity), plus a full benefits package, RRSP with employer-matched contributions, paid vacation, a flexible work environment, and a nurturing family-friendly workplace.

To apply, please submit a copy of your resume/CV and cover letter to the attention of Max Hedley, Grounds and Fields Supervisor through this online application system.

ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES

Reporting to the Grounds and Fields Supervisor, the tasks of the Grounds & Fields Technician will include:  

Grounds

• Gardening and maintenance activities such as planting, weeding, mowing, and pruning
• Planning, executing and maintaining formal gardens, trails, and natural areas
• May remove shrubs, trees and manage invasive plants
• Aerate and sow grass; may apply herbicides to lawn
• Pick up and/or deliver equipment and supplies
• Perform irrigation maintenance, adjustments, and repairs during growing season
• Assist with regular hardscape maintenance of walkways, fencing, walls, gates, water features, outdoor lighting, and other hardscape features
• Assist with spring and fall clean-up of leaves and debris from beds, turf, and hardscape
• Assist with plant health care activities including mulching, planting, deadheading, supplemental watering, and other duties that keep the landscape thriving
• Assist with snow and ice removal

• Assist with set-up and take-down for events on the grounds, meeting areas and dining room as required
• Clean roofs of moss and other debris including gutters and drains
• Perform or assist with small projects
• Other grounds-related duties as required

Fields

• Planning, executing and maintaining athletic fields (natural grass and synthetic surfaces)
• Responsible for correctly irrigating the athletic fields and performing basic repairs, including hoses, fittings and minor leaks
• Perform regular turf maintenance including mowing, edging and trim work
• Ensure field markings and logo painting are completed in advance of sporting events
• Responsible for painting, field layout, goal post/net maintenance and artificial turf care
• Remove litter and garbage
• Assist with set-up and take-down for events on the fields and the Pavilion as required
• Water and tend to plants, lawns and/or gardens
• Perform spring and fall clean-up of leaves and debris
• Operate and maintain landscape maintenance equipment
• Seek opportunities to improve work efficiencies and inefficiencies
• Perform other manual duties to clean and maintain fields and immediate surroundings
• Oversee summer student workers under the direction of the Grounds & Maintenance Supervisor, the Director of Operations, or their designates
• Clean equipment that has been used (weekly or as needed) and report any deficiencies (equipment or otherwise) to Maintenance.
• Other fields-related duties as required

REQUIREMENTS

• Valid class 5 driving license required
• Significant hands-on experience (5 years minimum) working in commercial landscaping and/or athletic facility turf maintenance required
• Post secondary education in turf management, plant science, landscape design or horticulture preferred
• Experience in irrigation setup, head repairs, zone troubleshooting, timer adjustments and seasonal shut-off/spring startup routines preferred
• Demonstrated experience in recognizing plant healthcare needs and remedying horticultural problems
• Demonstrated competency operating and maintaining commercial power equipment (tractor mowers, hedge trimmers, aerators etc)
• Strong understanding of WorkSafe BC safety standards, safe trailering/tie-down procedures and safe chemical/gas handling
• Handyperson skills including basic trouble-shooting of equipment, light painting, woodwork and snow shoveling
• Physical capacity to lift and carry 50-lbs; stand, walk, squat for extended periods of time
• Ability to work outdoors in adverse conditions
• High level of reliability and timeliness
• A flexible mindset, with a willingness to take on new tasks and to learn new skills
• Self-motivated with minimal supervision needed

OUR SCHOOL

Shawnigan Lake School is a leading independent co-educational boarding school for ages 12-18 (grades 8-12) on Canada’s beautiful west coast. Our world-class facilities situated on a stunning 270-acre campus include ten boarding houses, a theatre, film lab, an observatory, salmon hatchery, rowing crew house on the lake, dance studio, state of the art Learning Commons and Library, recording studio, and robotics lab. Our diverse, inter-disciplinary and innovative programming helps shape the next generation of global leaders.

Shawnigan Lake School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff (and volunteers) to share this commitment. Candidates will be required to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with previous employers and a vulnerable sector criminal record check.

Shawnigan Lake School is an equal opportunity employer committed to establishing an inclusive, equitable, and accessible environment for all. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status or any other basis protected by applicable law.

We thank all applicants in advance for their interest, however, only those under consideration will be contacted. If you are unsuccessful, please accept our appreciation for your interest.