Natural Stewardship Operator; temporary

Job Summary

Service Area: Public Services Department: Parks Work Location: Parks, 69 Marilyn Drive Work Mode: In Person Job Type and Duration: Temporary, Full time Vacancy Number of Open Positions: 1
Salary Range: $34.49 per hour
Affiliation: CUPE Local 241 Posting Period: February 24, 2026 to March 8, 2026

When you join the City of Guelph, you join a team of over 2000 employees who deliver services the community relies on every day. Together, we are bringing to life Guelph’s vision of an inclusive, connected, and prosperous city where we look after each other and our environment. As a single tier municipality, we offer a variety of occupations and career specialities 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.

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.

Applications are being accepted for the temporary position of Natural Areas Stewardship Operator within Parks. This position will report to the Program Manager, Forestry & Sustainable Landscapes. The successful candidate will perform duties related, but not limited to invasive species management, goose management, natural areas stewardship, and related services within the City’s parks in accordance with established standard operating procedures, departmental and corporate policies, sound construction principles, practices, and applicable codes with a focus on quality customer service and continuous improvement processes.

Guided by the goals and objectives of the City of Guelph Corporate 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.

• Under the direction of the Natural Areas Stewardship Technician, prepare plans and implement invasive species management and restoration projects on both Guelph properties and other public land properties.
• Lead crew of 2-3 seasonal staff doing invasive species control including spraying of herbicides to control invasive species, noxious weeds or planting trees and shrubs.
• Remove or control invasive species with various methods following provincial and federal legislation standards.
• Operation of mechanical equipment including farm tractors, chainsaws, ATV, water pumps, and loading large trailers.
• Conduct site visits to develop treatment and restoration plans for the management of invasive species on private/public lands.
• Use basic construction techniques to plant trees and herbaceous plants and build habitat structures.
• Support the implementation of the goose management program.
• Perform duties related to natural areas stewardship, parks events, and related services within the City’s parks while working outdoors in all types of weather conditions.
• Perform litter, brush and garbage pick up.
• Operate various types of maintenance equipment and vehicles such as pickup truck with trailer, rototiller, blowers, shovels, rakes, string trimmer, chainsaw, chipper, box grader, lawnmowers, power washers, backpack sprayers, large mowers, agricultural tractors, front-end loaders, large mowers, waste collection vehicles, Bobcat toolcat skid‑steer and small equipment including auxiliary attachments as required, in a safe and efficient manner.
• Where required, perform various duties relating to winter maintenance of trails…