Apply to be part of the Native Plant Source crew this 2024 season!
We are currently seeking crew members who are motivated, possess a positive attitude, good work ethic and have an appreciation of our native flora. If you are eager to learn, we are happy to teach and train you. Our goal is to recruit and retain staff who want to grow with us.
Positions: Assistant Ecologist
Location: Region of Waterloo (Breslau, between Guelph and Kitchener), Ontario
Work Period: Summer Season 2024 (May 1 to August 30).
Shorter or longer term positions may be available - please indicate availability in your cover letter.
About Us:
Native Plant Source is the horticultural and landscaping division of Thompson Environmental Planning & Design Ltd. A respected name in southern Ontario with diverse environmental consulting project experience.
Native Plant Source has been propagating, growing, and selling Ontario native plant stock for over 25 years. We also specialize in designing and installing purposeful gardens (e.g. rain gardens, pollinator gardens), and maintaining natural landscape designs for corporate clients.
As a member of our team you can expect to:
- Gain or enhance skills in Ontario native plant identification by seeing plants in different stages of growth.
- Be mentored by senior staff with over 30 years of experience in the environmental field and in sustainable landscape design and builds.
- Contribute to various meaningful, hands-on projects. Some past projects have included floating wetland construction, prescribed burns, schoolyard and woodlot enhancements, tree inventories, fish rescues, creation of Bobolink / Eastern Meadowlark habitat, and bioremediation projects.
- Native plant stock maintenance, transplanting, and seeding, as well as assembling orders for pickup or delivery.
- Preparing, installing plant materials and seeding at large rehabilitation and restoration projects.
- Constructing, planting (with native plant material), and maintaining various types of sustainable gardens for residential and corporate clients.
- Identifying and removing weed species from sites and gardens, including invasive species management.
- Driving a company vehicle to and from work sites.
About You (aka Qualifications):
- Are you passionate about Ontario’s native plants?
- Do you have a passion for hands-on application of environmental biology, restoration, or ecological gardening?
- Do you enjoy a wide variety of responsibilities and tasks in your work?
- Are you in good physical health and have physical labour experience (e.g. gardening or landscaping or greenhouse/nursery)?
- Do you enjoy working outdoors? Are you able to do so in a variety of weather conditions?
- Can you work independently, and as a member of a small crew?
- Do you have a valid Ontario driver’s license, with a good driving record and able to get to the greenhouse each day? (Please note it is NOT on a public transportation route but is conveniently located between Kitchener and Guelph off Highway 7).
Preference may be given to candidates who have:
- Knowledge of Ontario native plants.
- Experience with landscaping tools and equipment.
- Enrolled or graduated from a related College or University program, specialized training, or prior experience in the field.
Pay Rate: $19/hr
How To Apply: Email a brief cover letter and resume in PDF format, (please include “Summer Crew” in the subject line), to:
[email protected]
Please indicate you saw this posting on our website.
Application Deadline: Thursday February 22, 2024.
Native Plant Source reserves the right to close applications early for the right people, so don't delay in submitting your application.
We thank all applicants for their interest but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.