Urban Forestry Co-op Student

Urban Forestry Co-op Student

Co-op Student

Barrie, Ontario

Apply Now Posting Number: COOP-26-01
Job Type: Co-op,
Full-time, Up to 8 Months (May-December), Union
Salary Range: $17.60 to $23.82 per hour
Posted:
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
Final date to receive applications:

Sunday, January 11, 2026 at 11:59 pm
The Opportunity The Parks and Forestry Branch is part of the City of Barrie’s Operations Department. The Branch is responsible for the management, maintenance, and ongoing care of over 3,100 acres of waterfront, parkland and open space including 127 parks and 145 kilometers of trails. Services include horticulture displays and maintenance, turf management, shoreline maintenance, maintenance of parks amenities such as playgrounds, play courts, picnic shelters, and spray pads, waste collection, landscape construction, City's outdoor rink program, greenhouse operations, trails maintenance, and winter snow removal operations.
This position is part of a front-line team directly responsible for the planning and maintenance of a healthy urban forest. A healthy urban forest has direct environmental, social and economic benefits to residents of the City and results in improved quality of life.
This position supports the implementation of the urban forestry program which includes implementation of the tree planting and maintenance programs, emerald ash borer program and the Urban Forest Strategy and Urban Forest Management Plan. Specifically, this position is responsible for assisting the Parks and Forestry Program Coordinator with the implementation of the various urban forestry programs and contracts. The successful applicant to this position will perform and/or assist with the following tasks:
1. Inspection and marking of street and park tree planting locations throughout the City of Barrie
2. Assist the Parks and Forestry Programmer with the inspection of existing trees on City road right-of-ways, parks and natural areas and managing service requests
3. Updating street and park tree inventories
4. Using geographic information systems, office software and manual techniques to produce maps, drawings, charts, tables, etc. 5. Assist in young tree care maintenance including pruning, mulching, and watering
6. Assist in Urban Forestry Pest Preparedness Programs and monitoring including LDD Moth infestations, and the Emerald Ash Borer Program as required
7. Assist the Forestry section with day-to-day workloads including the entry of completed work orders into the computerized maintenance management system
8. Assist Horticulture and Parks when required
9. Assist with trail inspections for natural areas along with general trail maintenance 10. Other duties as assigned Our Culture and Qualifications of the Job
Corporate Culture: Your workplace values align with our corporate values of Strive, Share and Care and you want to join us in providing exceptional services and programs to build a prosperous, growing and sustainable community. Equally important to what we do is how we do it - your actions reflect our core accountabilities of Personal Awareness, Teamwork and Collaboration, Respect and Inclusion, Innovation, and Service Excellence, which define how we work together to succeed.

Education (degree/diploma/certifications)

Enrolled in a recognized College or University Co-op program in Forestry, Natural Sciences, Environmental Studies, or a related discipline Must be available for an 8-month placement and be returning to full-time studies in the same program following the completion of the co-op placement OR require the co-op placement to graduate

Completed at least one (1) year of a related post-secondary education program at a recognized College or University by the start of the opportunity

Experience

Demonstrated field experience in forestry, environmental studies or natural sciences

Knowledge/Skill/Ability

Training and/or education in the principles of dendrology and proficient in field identification of various tree species

Basic computer skills using Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Publisher) and ArcGIS

Sound familiarity with geographical information systems and GPS technology

Interest in urban forestry, ecology, and/or natural sciences, and the ability to work in a natural environment including inclement weather and rough terrain

Dependable, reliable, and work well with others

Conditions of Employment

Valid Ontario Class “G” Driver’s Licence in good standing

Satisfactory Criminal Record Check*

* Please note that this is a requirement for any new employees to the City of Barrie in accordance with the Police Record Check Policy
. Existing employees who have met this criteria will be exempt from this requirement.