Leadhand – Parks Operations

Competition Number: 26/100
Posting Scope: Internal / External
Posted Date: May 7, 2026
Closing Date: May 21, 2026, 4:30 PM PST

Department: Parks & Recreation

Work schedule: Monday to Friday ( 40 hour work week) - Continuous (Regular Full-Time)

Salary: $46.45 per hour, Pay Grade 12
Job Code: 569
Employee Group: This is a CUPE Local 50 position
Number of Vacancies: 1

The City of Victoria is seeking a dedicated Leadhand - Parks Operations to join our Parks Recreation & Facilities team. In this hands-on leadership role, you will coordinate and participate in the maintenance of parks and sport fields across the city, helping to keep our public spaces vibrant, healthy, and welcoming. We encourage individuals with strong horticultural, turf and irrigation knowledge to apply and be part of a team committed to excellence in parks operations.

POSITION FUNCTION
Coordinate and participate in ornamental horticulture, turfculture, arboriculture and sport field maintenance.

KEY DUTIES
Coordinate, assign, review and participate in the work of approximately 9 staff involved in the maintenance of various horticultural areas of City parks and park construction; ensure schedules, procedures and established performance and safety standards are met; provide employee training and input to performance appraisals; complete time sheets.

Lay out and construct new areas to be planted; make recommendations on plant selection and areas to be planted; maintain records and inventory of trees, shrubs, turf and annuals; inspect planted, seeded and turfed areas and initiate required maintenance programs such as irrigating and fertilizing. Evaluate and provide project costs resulting from various public works and contractor jobs to crew supervisor or manager; conduct site inspections at various locations to review work progress and quality. Review plans to confirm that the location of utilities and services have been marked out or flagged. Coordinate routes for seasonal work programs such as leaf pick up and branch pick up.

Perform general maintenance to assigned park horticultural and sport field areas by planting, irrigating, fertilizing, and pruning; perform construction of boulevards and new landscaped areas; operate various hand tools and power equipment such as shovels, line trimmer, roto-tiller, electric shears, riding mowers, chainsaws, tractors, ditch-witch and turf-cutters.

Determine and order materials and equipment as required; operate a variety of vehicles such as aerial bucket truck, vacuum truck and chipper to transport material and equipment; perform equipment maintenance; report repairs required and damage to equipment to supervisor and mechanic shop; maintain fuel and equipment supply for staff at various work sites; complete daily work records and equipment slips; respond to enquiries from the public, staff and outside agencies regarding general parks information.

Perform related duties where qualified.

INDEPENDENCE
Work is performed according to seasonal schedule and is reviewed while in progress.
Issues such as tree removal and planting schemes are discussed with supervisor.

WORKING CONDITIONS
Physical Effort:

• Lift and move heavy plants and equipment. (often)

• Weed, cultivate, prune and dig by hand. (frequent)

Mental Effort:
Normal.

Visual/Auditory Effort:
Normal.

Work Environment:

• Work outside in all weather conditions. (continuous)

• Work in close proximity to moving traffic. (occasional)

• Exposure to equipment noise. (often)

KEY SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Organize and prioritize the work of a unit.

• Understand and apply turf grass, arboriculture, horticultural and sport field maintenance techniques.

• Basic level operation of a computer.

• Use hand tools and power equipment.

• Read and understand underground plans.

• Supervise a small staff.

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships.

• Deal effectively with the public and outside agencies.

• Work safely on job sites.

QUALIFICATIONS
Formal Education, Training and Occupational Certification:

• High school graduation.

• Completion of 2-year Horticultural Diploma or completion of 4-year BC Trades Qualification in landscape horticulture. (4 years)

• Pesticide Applicators Licence. (40 hours)

• Current and valid Class 5 B.C. Driver's Licence.

Experience:
2 years of horticultural experience including supervisory experience.
or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

OTHER:
May be requested to substitute in a more senior position.

To apply for this opportunity, you will need to create an online profile or log back into our career portal at www.victoria.ca/jobs - only online submissions will be considered. All applications must be submitted online by 4:30 pm on the closing date noted on the posting. Please be prepared to provide proof of qualifications as outlined in your resume.

The City of Victoria is committed to integrating equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility into our programs, policies, spaces, and services. Our goal is to cultivate a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the community we serve and aim to become. Individuals who are Indigenous, racialized, immigrants, persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+, or facing any additional barriers are encouraged to apply. Accommodations will be available upon request throughout the application and selection process.

If you require assistance, please email us at careers@victoria.ca.

Education : College, CEGEP or other non-university certificate or diploma from a program of 1 year to 2 years

Experience : 2 years to less than 3 years