Parks Maintainer Turf Specialist

Overview The City of Kitchener is looking for a dedicated individual to join our team as a permanent full-time Parks Maintainer, Turf Specialist. In this role, you’ll be part of a collaborative Fields Maintenance team, handling all aspects of sports field maintenance. Your duties will include turf management, turf renovations, integrated pest management, irrigation repairs, troubleshooting, landscaping, grading, and related administrative tasks. Additionally, you’ll be responsible for winter maintenance duties. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and abilities, and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive. Join us in making our parks and sports fields beautiful and safe for the community to enjoy! Responsibilities Daily Planning: Plan and organize materials, supplies, and equipment to carry out daily job assignments. Vegetation Control: Perform various vegetation control duties, cultural practices, and turf renovations in parks. Recommendations: Identify and provide recommendations to your supervisor for any additional work needed to maintain various turfgrass areas, such as turf renovation and irrigation. Turf Monitoring: Independently monitor and assess turf conditions, identifying maintenance needs based on your understanding of target turf composition, maintenance practices, biodiversity, irrigation systems, and integrated pest management (e.g., insects, disease, nutrient requirements, drainage, wear patterns). Record Keeping: Keep accurate records for field studies, project planning, and completed field work. Equipment Operation: Operate various types of vehicles and equipment, such as top dressers, overseeders, loader tractors, and mowers. Irrigation Systems: Repair and troubleshoot all irrigation systems and equipment. Complex Irrigation Maintenance: Maintain, operate, troubleshoot, read plans, and repair complex irrigation systems, including booster pumps, computer software, computer-controlled and manual field satellites, zone and control valves, electric sprinkler heads, in-ground piping, filtration systems, and multi-zone stations. Customer Service: Provide frontline customer service to the public and special interest groups. Winter Duties: Participate in the winter job pool process, which includes tasks like snow plowing and hand shoveling. Performs other related duties as assigned. Education Minimum Grade 12 diploma or equivalent. Successful completion of a Turf Management diploma at an accredited post-secondary institution or equivalent. Experience Minimum of 1-year Turfgrass maintenance experience and with related equipment. Additional Requirements Valid MTO class “G” driver’s license in good standing and be capable of upgrading to a “DZ” license within a 6-month period. Valid Ministry of Environment Landscape Exterminators license or equivalent. Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities Advanced computer skills. Reliable with a good attitude and employment record.

Responsible for the comprehensive maintenance of sports fields, including turf renovation, irrigation system troubleshooting, and vegetation control. Additionally, the role involves performing winter maintenance tasks such as snow plowing and hand shoveling.

Requires a Grade 12 diploma and a Turf Management diploma from an accredited institution. Candidates must have at least one year of turfgrass maintenance experience, a valid G driver's license, and a Landscape Exterminators license.

• Customer servicePreferred

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Turf Management
• Irrigation Repair
• Integrated Pest Management
• Landscaping
• Grading
• Equipment Operation
• Vegetation Control
• Customer Service
• Winter Maintenance
• Record Keeping
• Computer Skills

• Government & Public Sector
• Sports & Recreation
• Environmental & Sustainability
• Trades
• Agriculture

Minimum education

High school

Minimum experience

0+ years

Apply by

Sep 24, 2026

Posting language

English

Working hours

40 hours per week

Seniority

Entry level