Groundskeeper / Maintenance Assistant

The Felician Sisters of North America is actively hiring a casual  Groundskeeper/Maintenance Assistant at the Holy Name of Mary Convent in Mississauga, Ontario (a small, eldercare home for Sisters). 

SUMMARY

This full-time position follows a Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. schedule.

The position is responsible for maintaining outdoor spaces, including lawns, gardens, orchards, and other landscape features; performing snow removal; and completing general maintenance and repairs on buildings and equipment. Responsibilities also include the cultivation, management, and care of plants, fruits, vegetables, flowers, and ornamental trees and shrubs. This individual works cooperatively with other staff to ensure the proper maintenance of the grounds, buildings, equipment, flower gardens, orchards, and produce, while supporting a safe, attractive, and well-maintained environment.

This individual is expected to demonstrate compassion, professionalism, and a genuine commitment to serving our elderly Sisters. The successful candidate will be attentive to their needs and requests, treating each person with dignity, respect, empathy, and patience while helping to create a safe, welcoming, and well-maintained environment that supports their quality of life.

RESPONSIBILITIES TASKS

• Grounds/Orchard Maintenance:
• Lawn maintenance on grounds and in orchard: grass cutting, planting of new grass, watering, applying fertilizer.
• Plants and maintains (weeding, watering) flower gardens and grotto.
• Removes leaves, fallen branches, debris and prepare gardens for winter.
• Prunes and trims trees and shrubs.
• Waste removal which includes taking out compost materials, cleaning containers and maintaining compost.
• Other maintenance work is required to keep the ground clean and safe.
• Manages the plants and soil of already established perennials, bulbs, bushes, small trees on the extensive grounds of HNM convent (including necessary pruning of these plants, bushes, mulching and soil maintenance, regular watering and weeding)
• Assists in decision-making about replacement, rotation of some plants/trees, bulbs.
• Purchases and assembles annual plants.
• Plans for soil care, compost additions and mulching of the gardens, bushes and small trees.
• Manages pest control if needed.

• Orchard Maintenance:
• Prunes trees
• Picks and sorts fruit.
• Places apples in cold storage.
• Maintains crate boxes for apples

• Snow removal:
• Operates a snowplow truck to safely clear the driveway
• Clears all the entrances using a shovel or snow blower.
• Clears snow off the parked cars

• Equipment maintenance:
• Cleans machinery after use.
• Reports any problems to supervisor.
• Transports larger machinery for maintenance checks and tune-ups.
• Transports cars for maintenance and changing tires for summer to winter and vice versa.
• Ensures the safe handling and storage of tools, cleaning supplies, chemicals for orchard and related materials.

• Pool Maintenance:
• As required by the supervisor

• Building Maintenance:
• Performs minor repairs on buildings, such as painting or patching walls.
• Fixes minor plumbing or electrical issues as needed.
• Maintains and repairs equipment like tools and machinery.
• Ensures equipment is safe and in good working order. Notifies Facility Supervisor if assistance is needed with repairs to ensure the repair is taken care of timely and properly.
• Cleans and maintains kitchen grease traps, stove hood, fans, water tanks.
• Cleans windows and eavestroughs, as requested.
• Cleans floors and carpets on a routine basis to include vacuuming, sweeping, mopping, sanitizing, and waxing.
• Lubricates and maintains machinery and equipment.
• Ensures all light fixtures are operational and changes light bulbs, as necessary.
• Observes appearance and condition of property and equipment; reports safety hazards or conditions requiring maintenance services.
• Assists in overall security efforts on the property.

• Driving:
• Uses truck or tractor to drive as required (obtaining supplies, maintaining grounds, taking apples to cooler etc.).

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• High school graduate or equivalent required.
• One (1) to three (3) years' general maintenance experience required.
• Three (3) to Five (5) preferred.
• Must possess a valid class G driver's license.
• Knowledge of building construction or related trades.
• Minimum of two years of experience in garden work.
• Knowledge and experience of working in an orchard would be preferred.
• Knows all aspects of horticultural maintenance, landscape design, knowledge of orchard work and maintenance, pruning of fruit trees, pruning plants, ornamental trees and bushes, soil and plant management, seasonal plantings, and assembly of plant materials
• Knowledge of IPM (integrated pest management)

COMPENSATION  

Expected compensation: $23.30 to $52.02 per hour, commensurate with experience. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION  

This posting is for an existing vacancy. Artificial intelligence is not used to screen, assess, or select applicants for this position. 

Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process; please contact Human Resources. The Felician Sisters of North America welcome applications from all qualified individuals and are committed to an inclusive, barrier-free recruitment process.