Assistant, Community Gardens – Part Time (May to November 2026)

Position Type:

Closing Date:

Salary/Wage Range:

Working for the City of Burlington

A great career is closer than you think. Come work for the City of Burlington, where you'll be joining an innovative and progressive workplace focused on building a 21st century city that respects the diversity of our residents, visitors and employees; and prioritizes continuous opportunities for you to learn and grow.

We don't just spend time attracting the best talent. We spend time and resources to keep the best talent. This may include: flexible working hours, mobile and hybrid working arrangements, a great pension and benefits package, as well as programs to foster innovation and leadership.

Type of Vacancy

Existing Vacancy

Hours of Work

20-25 hours per week with reduced hours in fall months

Contract Length

4 -6-month contract

Department

Recreation, Community & Culture

Location

This position is required to work in person at all five community gardens across the City.  Work location is subject to change at the discretion of the Community Garden Coordinator due to operational demands.

Position Overview

This position is responsible for assisting to maintain the common areas of the City’s community gardens and to interact with plot renters to add to a positive customer experience.

This position will focus on:

•            Garden common area maintenance

•            Reporting to and supporting the Community Garden Coordinator

•            Customer service to enhance a positive customer experience

Availability for online training the week of April 27, start date April 29.  Contract end date is August 21 but could extend to November 6 depending on candidate availability.

Responsibilities

This position will be responsible for the following maintenance tasks:

• Perimeter and walkway garden beds edged, weeded and woodchips applied, perennials pruned.

• Weeds and grass inside the garden should be pulled from the pathways, fence lines and common areas.

• Woodchips are added to the paths in areas where they deteriorate.

• Green totes and recycling bins to be emptied.  Excess plant trays/pots stacked neatly and/or removed. 

• Water barrels and hand washing stations refilled. Check and report spigot leaks.

• Notify the Community Garden Coordinator of any repairs needed, customer or visitor questions/issues.

• Write messages on shed communication white boards as instructed.

• Keep garden gates and shed doors closed and locked when gardeners or staff leave.

• When not in use ensure water taps are off, hoses disconnected from the tap and neatly reeled up, water cabinet doors closed.

• Excess plant waste removed to park maintenance yards at Maple and Central.  Piles at Francis, Amherst and Ireland kept as neat as possible. 

• Each garden should be visited twice per week, following significant weather or as directed.

Requirements

This position is required to:

• Attend and complete mandatory online safety and risk mitigation training the last week of April

• Review community garden webpage and site layout for the five garden locations.

• Review the community garden rules that all involved must follow.

• Have reliable transportation to, between and from sites.

• Be willing to work outdoors in all range of climate conditions.

• Possess strong interpersonal skills to communicate directly to the community garden customers, visitors and city staff.

• Candidates with horticulture background or volunteer experience will be considered an asset.

• This position is expected to work 20-25 hours per week, 4-5 hours per day with flexibility allowed with days and time of day worked. Hours may be reduced in September, October & November.

Accommodations

In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, the City of Burlington accommodates the individual needs of applicants with disabilities within the recruitment process. Please call us at 905-335-7602 or email us at: hr@burlington.ca if you require accommodation to ensure your equal participation in the recruitment and selection process.

Note to Applicants:

We thank all those who apply for positions, but only those applicants who are invited for an interview will be contacted.