Arbourist

Royal Roads University is located on the traditional lands of the Lekwungen-speaking Peoples, the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations. This land has been part of the fabric of the life of Indigenous communities long before Hatley Castle was built, and it will be long into the future. It is with gratitude that we now learn and work here, where the past, present and future of Indigenous and non-Indigenous students, faculty and staff come together. Located in one of Canada’s most beautiful National Historic Sites, RRU is just minutes from downtown Victoria, British Columbia and is surrounded by old growth forest and awe-inspiring ocean and mountain views. RRU is a special-purpose university that delivers high-quality applied and professional programs. Established by the provincial government in 1995 through the Royal Roads University Act, RRU was created with a unique mandate and governance structure to respond to the labour market needs of British Columbia. RRU has over 20,000 alumni in 65 countries. With a reputation for innovation, RRU is a leader in the delivery of blended learning programs, which combine intensive residency experiences with online course work.
Requisition #
C0106.3
Job Title
Arbourist
Division Department
Royal Roads University -> Office of the Vice-President, Finance and Operations -> Operations & Resilience
Recruitment Type
Regular Full Time
Category
Ground and Gardens
# of Hires Needed
1
Closing Date
1/18/2024
Job Description

Under general direction of Supervisor Grounds and Gardens, the Arbourist is responsible for maintaining the gardens, grounds and horticulture program within the National Historic Site.  The Arbourist is primarily responsible for a variety of horticulture duties at a senior trade’s person level, including tasks which require specialized training in the horticulture trade, including greenhouse operation, nurseries and arboriculture. This position also delivers general gardening and grounds services as part of the gardens and service team within the National Historic Site and botanical gardens while promoting the customer service, environment and professional front-door image presented by the University. 

The incumbent must be capable of periods of high intensity physical work and have an ability to work flexible hours as needed to meet the needs of the clients.  The incumbent is required to lift, carry and place heavy loads as a routine requirement of the position.  Operation of and minor repairs to a wide variety of motorized and task-specific machinery, both on and off site, is required to perform the duties outlined below and requires extreme diligence when operating on public highways. 

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Identifies all trees that require professional pruning, tree surgery, rehabilitation or any hazardous trees to be removed.
• Decides if the trees are to be felled, removed in sections or pruned to National Arborist and ISA standards.
• Determines which methods, tools and climbing procedures are appropriate and to follow WCB and tree standards for tree work.
• Responsible for maintaining tree stewardship program.
• Provide critical advice to capital projects with regards to tree condition and affects of capital projects on surrounding trees.
• Provides recommendation to the removal of trees and replanting of new trees
• Prunes and aerates roots to minimize impact of blacktop or construction.
• Performs a wide range of skilled horticulture tasks; designs and plans gardens, plants, prunes, waters, propagates and fertilizes plants and gardens.
• Controls weeds and pests observes plant health care and follows an integrated pest management program for a variety of exotic and indigenous plant species.
• Maintains a thorough and current knowledge of the methods and techniques, used in the horticulture and arbouriculture trade. Uses a variety of materials, tools and equipment, designed for the trades.
• Maintains records including but not limited to plant identification, the botanical collection and hazardous tree locations, site inventories and tree protection plan. Records and provides information for the University’s web site.
• Oversees the work performed by college students undertaking a practicuum at the University and notifies their instructor of any areas of concern.
• Liaison with third party providers with regards to tree operations to include emergency evacuation planning around tree work, safety planning for elevated platform work, work with cranes, to include security for ground crews.
• Maintains habitat requirements of native species and manages the potential impacts of introduced and invasive species on the gardens and grounds.
• Performs a wide variety of skilled and basic manual tasks for the gardens and grounds service unit.
• Reads and interprets site plans, blueprints and working drawings.
• Provides educational tours and garden lectures to the public.
• Participates in the development and implementation of policies and procedures regarding chemical safety and storage, Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and Workplace Hazardous Material Information System (WHMIS) and workplace safety issues related to the gardens and grounds services.
• Operates as an integral part of the University team and performs special projects and other duties of a similar nature and complexity related to gardens and grounds services or otherwise assigned.
• Functions as part of the University team and supports other team members of the university  team; maintains good communications within the team; participates in democratic decision making; exhibits appropriate behavior that is sensitive to the effect on others of personal actions, language and habits; and takes personal responsibility and maintains a professional approach to working relationships and conflict resolution.

Job Requirements

Required:

• Grade 12 graduation from a secondary school or equivalent.
• Possession of a valid B.C. Pesticide Applicator License.
• Possession of a valid Class 5 driver’s license in the Province of B.C.
• 5 years’ experience in the field of horticulture or arbourculture, supplemented by a formal technical horticulture or arbourculture training program of at least 2 years.
• Possession of a Trade Qualification Certificate or Certificate of Apprenticeship in Horticulture, or Possession of a Diploma in Horticulture, or a combination of at least 10 years related work experience and training, maintain an ISA international society of arborist certification.
• Knowledge of tree physiology and anatomy and pruning standards.
• Experience as a hazardous tree assessor and climber.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

To be successful in this position, the incumbent must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Ability to communicate effectively verbally, in writing and by email.
• Ability to work in all types of weather conditions.
• Ability to operate equipment related to the duties.

Preferred:

• Knowledge of Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) and the use of Safety Data Sheets (SDS).
• Heritage landscape or botanical garden experience ability to provide interpretive services and continued education.
• Basic First Aid.

Additional Information
This position is regular full-time working 37.5 hours per week. The successful candidate must have the ability to work a variety of shifts including weekends. This is a CUPE Local 3886 Bargaining Unit position and the hourly rate is $34.28 and the university is pleased to offer a comprehensive benefits package Royal Roads University is strongly committed to fostering diversity within our community. We welcome those who would contribute to the further diversification of our faculty and staff including, but not limited to, women, visible minorities, Indigenous people, persons with disabilities and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity.
While Royal Roads University values all applications we receive, only those candidates shortlisted for further consideration will be contacted. Please note that all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply. However, you will need to be legally eligible to work in Canada for the duration of the employment contract. If you require any form of accommodation throughout the recruitment process, please contact us directly at [email protected] attention: Lorisha Bühler or 250-391-2600 extension 4408 so we can offer you individualized assistance and ensure equity in our recruitment and hiring process. ALL COMPETITIONS WILL CLOSE AT 10.00 P.M. ON THE DATE OF CLOSING