Seasonal Winter Worker, Parks & Open Spaces

Do have experience working within a parks environment or within a landscaping environment; and experience operating/maintaining equipment?

Our Parks and Open Spaces team proudly maintains over 500 hectares of land, parks and open spaces. Residents and visitors enjoy nearly four dozen parks (many with playgrounds), summer fishing in trout ponds, outdoor skating in winter, and over 80 kilometers of pathways all year round. Parks and Open Spaces also maintains three cemeteries, many sports fields and dog off-leash areas.

Wow, this team takes care of a lot! 

And this year, we are looking for a 4 staff to help with day-to-day winter snow clearing and ice maintenance of town parks, cemeteries, playgrounds, pathways, parking lots, streetscapes, and riparian areas.  Do you know what feels awesome? Seeing the beautiful pathways, parks and playgrounds being enjoyed by all the residents and visitors. Hard to beat that sense of pride.

Put on your work boots, dress for winter weather, and work outside in the fresh crisp air.

Please note: This position is 40 hours/week; from November 2024 – March 2025. This position will include rotational, on-call and weekend availability.

If you have previous experience in landscaping, parks environment, and mechanical aptitude, a class 5 license, and a positive attitude…that’s a requirement…we welcome all qualified applicants. Be a part of creating a vibrant and an amazing community!

Why should you consider working for us?

Our employees enjoy many perks including competitive public sector pay, professional learning and development opportunities and the opportunity to work with other talented municipal professionals. 

As an organization, Cochrane has a focus on investing in people.  This is not a boring municipality.  We are growing into an organization with a focus on transparency, critical thinking, curiosity, reflection and innovation.  We support experimentation as part of the growth process and strive for continuous improvement.  We are municipal employees and we are accountable to all the residents of Cochrane.  Want to be a part of this exciting time?

As a Parks and Open Spaces Worker you will:

• Assist with the day-to-day maintenance and responsibilities of town parks and green spaces, cemeteries, playgrounds, pathways, parking lots, historical resource site, downtown streetscapes, skateboard park and river and stream riparian areas.
• Specific duties include but not limited to, snow clearing and ice management on pathways, sidewalks, parking lots, stairs, transit stops, garbage collection, litter picking, burial/cremation plot preparation, tree/shrub pruning, and infrastructure repairs.
• Respond to inquiries as needed.
• Clean and perform minor repairs and maintenance on Town owned playground equipment, picnic tables, benches, fencing and structures.
• Operate light trucks, skid steer, snow clearing equipment, hand tools and/or other light equipment; perform light maintenance on mentioned items/equipment to ensure optimal performance and safe operation.
• Load/unload materials and/or equipment into and out of vehicles/trucks, etc.
• Ensure all administrative duties of the position are performed: checklists, FLHA’s pre and post trip vehicle/equipment inspections, service records, time sheets.

If many of the following characteristics and skills describe you, we want to meet you!

QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Education and Experience:

Required:

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Experience operating and maintaining equipment (hand tools, snow clearing equipment, chainsaws etc.)
• Minimum 6 months experience working in the horticultural industry, landscape construction/maintenance industry, arboricultural industry, irrigation industry, or municipal parks and cemeteries. 

Preferred:

• Mechanical aptitude and basic problem-solving skills
• Experience operating skid steers, snow clearing equipment, gas-powered blowers, trailering, 1-ton or 3-ton trucks 

Skills and Abilities: 

Required:

• Physically able to perform required duties
• Ability to effectively communicate respectfully and constructively with co-workers and citizens
• Self motivated with the ability to work independently or in a team environment
• Ability to understand and carry out instructions and perform manual tasks
• Basic computer skills

Preferred:

• Safe use of hand tools as well as small and large mobile equipment
• Knowledge of methods, materials and equipment used in performing routine maintenance, and construction tasks

Certifications, Licenses and/or Designations: 

Required:

• Valid Alberta Class 5 Driver’s License
• Clean Criminal Record
• WHMIS
• Participation in the Town’s Safety Training 

Preferred:

• One or more of these certificates: Diploma or Degree in Horticulture, Turfgrass Management Diploma, Sports Field Operator Certificate I and II, ISA Certified Arborist Certification, Landscape Horticultural Apprenticeship
• ISC 100
• FOIP
• Emergency First Aid CPR/AED
• Trailering

Cochrane is committed to providing a healthy and safe work environment for all of its employees. As an employee you must take reasonable care to protect your health and safety and that of others present at worksites, perform work safely, follow all relevant health and safety legislation, directives and procedures and attend all identified orientations and training.

Still interested?  Here’s how to apply:

• Qualified individuals are encouraged to submit your resume, and a letter stating how your experience match the required qualifications, skills and abilities for this position
• Applications for this position will be accepted until a suitable candidate is hired at www.cochrane.ca/jobs