Spring & Summer jobs, Sustainable landscaping

Position: Landscape Horticulturist / Landscape Labourer
Type: age 30 & under / summer
Organization: Wildlife Gardening
Location: Oxford County, Ontario

Are you excited about improving the world around you one plant at a time? Do you enjoy physical work outside?

We're seeking motivated, ecology minded individuals to join our team for landscape installations and maintenance, as well as nursery work with native plants. Join us and help provide sustainable landscape solutions, while learning about the plant and wildlife interactions that happen in healthy ecosystems. We're excited to bring more native plant landscapes to our area in 2026 and we hope you are too. The position requires a hard worker but you also get to learn things... and there are butterflies.

Duties include:

• Invasive species identification and removal
• Site prep, including weeding, grading, digging rain gardens, ponds etc.
• Transferring material with wheelbarrow, mulching, etc.
• Creation of pathways, berms and other landscape features.
• Planting of trees, shrubs, wildflowers, etc.
• Transplanting of seedlings, young and mature plants.
• Transporting and organization of potted stock.
• Weeding of potted stock.
• Labelling of plants.
• Various nursery work.
• Various landscaping work.

Requirements:

• Desire to learn about local flora and fauna, especially herbaceous plants.
• Safe work habits
• Ability to problem solve and work independently
• Ability to work collaboratively
• Ability to follow directions
• Ability to interpret designs and work plans
• Ability to take initiative
• Ability to work in various weather, including heat, cold, rain, wind and sun exposure.
• Must be comfortable with digging and weeding for extended periods.
• Ability to complete duties in varying terrains, some physically strenuous.
• No allergies to wasps, bees, etc.
• Must be comfortable with insects
• Must be able to lift 23kg / 50lbs.
• Safety boots required for work.
• This position is based near Ingersoll and will require travel to various job sites around Oxford County and beyond.
• Must have valid drivers license and access to a vehicle.
• Experience in a dynamic environment that requires flexibility and teamwork.

Not required but beneficial:

• Post Secondary Studies or Degree/ Diploma in Biology, Environmental, Horticultural or Natural Resources or related experience.
• Previous landscaping / nursery work or related experience.
• Ability to identify native and non-native plants.

Wildlife Gardening strives to build a team of diverse community members. We encourage members of all minority communities to apply, including (but not limited to) the following : BIPOC, New Canadians, People with disabilities, LGBT2SQIA+. Self declaration is optional and will remain confidential.

Pay rate: $22.00/hr
Hours: 30 per week for 16 weeks.
Start Dates: April 20 and May 5

Eligibility:  As determined by Government of Canada, applicants must:

• be between 15 and 30 years old
• be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person to whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act for the duration of the employment and
• have a valid Social Insurance Number at the start of employment and be legally entitled to work in Canada in accordance with relevant provincial or territorial legislation and regulations

Please send reply to:  wildlifegardening@gmail.com by April 5.
Please mention you saw this at rcen.ca or goodwork.ca.
Thanks for your interest.

About the company: Wildlife Gardening was created in 2006 and continues to provide quality native plant stock and landscape and restoration services, growing over 150 native species, with seed collected locally whenever possible, to provide appropriate genetics. Services include design and installation of ponds, waterfalls, meadows, streams, prairies, rain gardens, xeriscapes, woodland plantings and more. Wildlife Gardening is committed to a fair and inclusive work environment. wildlifegardening.ca