Student Gardener Position
Please note: These positions have an eight-week work term. Three positions will start in May and two positions will start in July. Please indicate your preference, when applying.
The Fredericton Botanic Garden (the Garden) is seeking hardworking gardeners (in training) to fill positions funded under the Canada Summer Jobs program. To qualify for these positions, applicants must be between the ages of 15 and 30 and legally entitled to work in Canada. Compensation is $18.00 per hour, for a 35-hour work week, much of it spent outdoors in our beautiful surroundings. Gardeners may be scheduled any day of the week but will have two consecutive days off.
The Garden is open to the public at no charge and prides itself on being all inclusive, as articulated in our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement. Efforts are ongoing to increase the accessibility of the Garden to persons with disabilities. Plans include improving trails, installing raised garden boxes, and utilizing an adapted greenhouse. The Garden’s Resource Centre is wheelchair accessible.
Gardeners will care for plants in the Garden’s greenhouses, propagation beds, perennial and shrub beds, including watering, weeding, planting, and transplanting; plant new perennial beds; assist in pruning trees, shrubs, and plants. They will remove invasive species, and clean work areas, including greenhouses. They will assist with the development of new and existing gardens, as well as the overall maintenance of an urban greenspace.
They may also be called upon to assist with light garden construction projects, such as building holding beds and cold frames. Students starting in May will be assisting with the Annual Spring Plant Sale.
There will be almost daily interactions with visitors of all ages, providing the opportunity to educate the public about the benefits of native plants, supporting pollinators, and environmentally sustainable gardening practices.
This is primarily an outdoor position, so you may be working in the hot sun, or light rain. It is labour intensive, so applicants must have stamina and be able to lift 23 kg, push heavy wheelbarrows, climb ladders, and squat for extended periods of time.
Our ideal candidate has a good knowledge of gardening, potentially with greenhouse experience. They may be a biology major or have taken horticulture courses. Although guidance and instruction will be provided, we are looking for someone who has a foundation upon which to build.
To apply, send cover letter and resume, as one PDF, to info@frederictonbotanicgarden.com with Student Gardener in the subject line. In your email, please indicate if you are interested in starting in May, or July. Applications received on or before April 21st.
