Parks/ Public Works Operator

Why Guelph:

As a single tier municipality, we offer a variety of occupations and career specialties within our organization. Guided by the goals and objectives of the Future Guelph: Strategic Plan and committed to the Corporate Values of integrity, service, inclusion, wellness and learning, the candidate will aid in the achievement of the Community Vision for an inclusive, connected, prosperous city.

What we offer

We offer competitive wages and comprehensive benefits to meet the needs of our diverse employees. Many of our positions offer:

• Paid vacation days, increasing with years of service
• Paid personal days;
• Hybrid and flexible work arrangements;
• Defined benefit pension plan with OMERS, including 100-per-cent employer matching;
• Extended health and dental benefits, including Health Care Spending Account;
• Employee and Family Assistance Program;
• Parental leave top up program;
• Learning and development opportunities including tuition assistance
• Employee recognition programs.

Position Overview:

The employee will be required to work in accordance with established standard operating procedures, departmental and corporate policies, along with applicable codes.

• Perform duties related to maintenance in Parks and Operations Departments, including turf, parks, summer and winter roads, and related services, while working outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Safely operate various Parks and Operations equipment. Heavy equipment including but not limited to front end loader with attachments, tandem truck with dump or flatbed body, asphalt paver, roller, tractor, skid steer, road saw and sweeper in live traffic. Parks equipment including but not limited to large mowers, pickup truck with trailer, rototiller, blowers, shovels, rakes, string trimmer, chainsaw, chipper, lawnmowers, power washers and small equipment in a safe and efficient manner.
• Carry out all necessary maintenance and adjustments while keeping the equipment in a safe, clean, and tidy condition and perform daily circle checks and report defects and, if necessary, small repairs in a prescribed manner.
• Comply with all applicable regulations and requirements of the Occupational Health & Safety Act, The Highway Traffic Act, all Federal, Provincial and City regulations including corporate, departmental, and divisional, policies and procedures.
• Remove and/or flag obstacles hazardous to employees or the public or that interfere with the safe operation of vehicles or equipment, and duly note and report such conditions to a Lead Hand or Supervisor.
• Accurate and timely completion of daily activity time sheets including reporting of materials used and work completed, inspection and reporting forms, and other work-related activities.
• Actively participate in a team environment, provide instruction and safety guidance to crew.
• Accurate and timely completion of vehicle and equipment checks as outlined in the fleet policies.
• Report on variances in daily work plans.
• Immediately report vandalism, mechanical difficulties, damage, and hazardous conditions
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

• Lead and instruct seasonal staff in the safe and efficient use, care and maintenance of tools and equipment, and maintenance practices.
• Oversee seasonal staff ensuring tools, resources, and assigned tasks are carried out.
• Perform and direct grass cutting as per assigned schedules and report any incomplete work, time allowances and crew performance issues to the Lead Hand.
• Pick up debris and litter from parks, roadside, parking lots, etc.

• Ability to safely operate a front-end loader with wing plow attachment maintaining public safety in the delivery of winter control service to the community.
• Perform other various duties relating to winter control of roadways including operating a combination tandem truck with plow and wing and other relevant machinery; manual snow and ice clearing and manual salting and sanding equipment and sidewalk winter control as needed.
• Maintenance activities related to right of way, winter control such as labourer duties, street sweeping, gravel maintenance, asphalt repairs and traffic control set-up.

• Experience related to the duties listed above, normally acquired through the completion of a Grade 12 diploma and minimum 1 year of experience performing winter maintenance in live traffic and winter conditions, and cumulative up to 2 years’ experience performing work and operating equipment related to parks, turf, roadway, winter control operations and/or related settings, in live traffic and winter conditions. Candidates with an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Must possess a Class D-Z licence with a good driving record. Successful candidates will be required to provide a current driver’s abstract prior to their start date to confirm their license is held in good standing and that it has not been suspended or revoked under the Highway Traffic Act (HTA) or Criminal Code of Canada in the last 5 years. The City of Guelph will take into consideration the number of demerit points and/or nature of the infractions to determine if it meets our requirements.
• Knowledge relevant to park and operations maintenance, including landscape maintenance activities, understanding of tools, equipment, and procedures relevant to turf and asphalt maintenance activities.
• Experience with roads winter control operation including five (5) months of Plow and Wing experience on a DZ Class vehicle would be an asset.
• Requirement to obtain First Aid and CPR C certification prior to start date.
• Experience leading a crew would be an asset.
• Customer service and problem solving skills.
• Proficient time management skills and flexibility in adjusting within a variety of duties.
• A reliable self-starter, able to make decisions, function with minimal supervision, and work as part of a team.
• Possess effective communication skills: able to deal with the public in a cordial manner.
• Able to perform the physical demands of the job including lifting, digging, kneeling, raking, shoveling and climbing ladders and be able to actively participate in daily activities, work within live traffic conditions and severe weather conditions.
• Knowledge of the Ontario Traffic Manual (Book 7 - Temporary Conditions).
• Knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, Highway Traffic Act and other applicable legislation.
• Basic understanding of and experience with computers and work order systems.

Hours of work

When assigned to Parks: Any five (5) consecutive days, eight (8) consecutive hours, Monday to Friday, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

When assigned to Operations: Any eight (8) consecutive hours between 5:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and between 5:00 am to 4:00 pm on Fridays. Rotating shifts on Winter Control.

Stand-by is a requirement of this position.

Pay/Salary

CUPE 241 Grade 3: $29.43 per hour

How to apply

Qualified applicants are invited to apply using our online application system by Monday, September 30, 2024. Please note all applicants must complete the online questionnaire specific to this position at the time they submit their resume and cover letter in order to be considered.

If you need an accommodation in order to participate in the hiring process, you may contact us to make your needs known in advance.

Personal information collected through the recruitment process will be used solely to determine eligibility for employment. We thank all candidates in advance; however, only those being considered for an interview will be contacted.