Trades Assistant

Job summary

Performs intermediate skilled tasks in horticulture, arboriculture, irrigation, and park infrastructure maintenance. Operates industrial parks equipment and maintains various soft and hard landscape areas.

Job details

Job Description Trades Assistant Competition Number: 26/183 Posting Scope: Internal / External Posted Date: September 29, 2026 Closing Date: October 13, 2026, 4:30 PM PST Department: Parks & Recreation Work schedule: Monday to Friday (7:00 AM – 3:30 PM, shifts may vary based on operational requirement. 40 hour work week) – Continuous (Full-Time) Salary: $38.18 per hour, Pay Grade 8 Job Code: 644 Employee Group: This is a CUPE Local 50 position Number of Vacancies: 1 POSITION FUNCTION Performs a variety of intermediate skilled tasks in the trades of horticulture, arboriculture, irrigation, construction and maintenance. KEY DUTIES Working with or under the direction of a qualified trades person. Prepares, maintains horticultural areas, and works in the greenhouse. Renovates and maintains parks and playing fields, boulevards, and other turf areas. Plants, prunes, and maintains trees. Constructs and maintains parks equipment, hard infrastructure, and furniture, installs, and maintains irrigation and drainage systems. Water, fertilize, seed, cultivate as required; grow, propagate, plant, and maintain various annual, perennial, specialty plants, and other nursery stock and trees. Prepare, construct and repair hanging baskets, window boxes and displays. Inspect for pest and health problems and apply pest controls and conduct soil testing. Keep records and inventories as required; make recommendations on hard and soft landscape improvements. Operate a variety of parks industrial equipment such as industrial trucks and tractors with attachments; operate various hand tools and power equipment such as shovels, and line trimmer, rototiller, electric shears, riding mowers, chainsaws, ditch-witch and turf-cutters. Provide instructions and information to other staff as required. Occasionally respond to general enquiries from the public and other departments. Perform related duties where qualified. INDEPENDENCE Work is assigned and reviewed by supervisor. Issues such as removal of equipment or changes to landscaping are referred to supervisor. WORKING CONDITIONS Physical Effort: Lift and move heavy materials and equipment. (often) Operate manual and power tools and equipment. (frequent) Mental Effort: Normal Visual/Auditory Effort: Normal Work Environment: Work outside in all weather conditions. (continuous) Exposure to equipment noise. (occasional) Work in an environment where protective measure must be taken to avoid exposure to chemicals and fertilizers. (occasional) Work in close proximity to moving traffic. (occasional) KEY SKILLS AND ABILITIES Organize and prioritize work. Understand and apply a variety of skilled maintenance techniques used in various Parks trades. Use industrial parks equipment, hand tools and power equipment. Establish and maintain effective working relationships. Deal effectively with the public and outside agencies. Work and operate equipment safely. QUALIFICATIONS Formal Education, Training and Occupational Certification: High school Graduation. Certificate in horticulture. (1 year) Certified Irrigation Technician Levels 1 and 2 (24 hours) Current and valid Class 5 B.C. Driver's Licence. Experience: 2 years of related 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.

What you’ll do

Performs intermediate skilled tasks in horticulture, arboriculture, irrigation, and park infrastructure maintenance. Operates industrial parks equipment and maintains various soft and hard landscape areas.

Requirements

Requires a high school diploma, a certificate in horticulture, and Certified Irrigation Technician levels 1 and 2. Candidates must possess a valid Class 5 B.C. Driver's Licence and at least 2 years of related experience.

Listed skills

• Safety Compliance · Preferred
• record keeping · Preferred
• Team Collaboration · Preferred
• Inventory management · Preferred

Other relevant skills

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Horticulture
• Arboriculture
• Irrigation maintenance
• Turf management
• Parks equipment operation
• Landscape construction
• Pest control
• Soil testing
• Power tool operation
• Hand tool operation
• Record keeping
• Inventory management
• Public communication
• Safety compliance
• Team collaboration

Job areas

• Trades
• Sports & Recreation
• Government & Public Sector
• Construction