We are hiring! Three Summer Student positions available.

The Gardens at HCP is hiring three summer students. Please see below for position and application descriptions:

Position 1: Gardens Assistant

The Gardens at HCP is a public garden and place of learning in Saanich. The HCP is a not-for-profit society focused on the provision of horticulture education and the development and maintenance of 104 acres of educational gardens and conservation lands.  We are currently looking for a secondary or post-secondary student to help fill the summer employment position of Gardens Assistant from June 25 – August 26th, Monday to Friday from 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM. The successful candidate will work with the Head Gardener as well as other staff and volunteers in the garden.
The Gardens Assistant duties will include:

  • Gardening assistance with the Farm, Herb, Propagation and Ethnobotany gardens. The Gardens Assistant will work with staff and volunteers to help develop these gardens over the 9 week work term.
  • Assisting with mowing lawns, weeding, irrigation systems & watering.
  • Maintaining the plant sale area ensuring that it is well stocked, water, priced and informational signs are displayed.
  • Act as Volunteer Liaison during volunteer Wednesday, relaying information from gardens staff to volunteer groups, assist volunteers where required.

Summer Student: Requirements
This position is a Summer Student position funded through Service Canada. Applicants must:

  • Be between the ages of 15 and 30 at the start of employment
  • Have been registered as a full-time student in the preceding academic year
  • Intend to return to school full-time during the next academic year
  • Be a student in a secondary, post-secondary, vocational or technical program
  • Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person on whom refugee protection has been conferred

The successful candidate must be available to work weekends and be able to lift and carry 20 lbs as well as work in a physical environment outside all day. Biology, plant, or gardening knowledge is an asset. www.hcp.ca
35 hours per week / $13 per hour.  Please submit a cover letter and resume with references to Linda Petite at [email protected] by June 7th.

Position 2: Events Assistant

The Gardens at HCP is a public garden and place of learning in Saanich. The HCP is a not-for-profit society focused on the provision of horticulture education and the development and maintenance of 104 acres of educational gardens and conservation lands. We are currently looking for a secondary or post-secondary student to help full the summer employment position of Events Assistant from June 25 – August 26th, Tuesday – Saturdays from 9 AM – 5:00 PM.  The Events Assistant will help in the office at the reception desk; assist with private facility rentals and with our large public fundraising event “Arts & Music in the Gardens”.
General Duties will include:

  • Working at the front desk, helping volunteers, updating database, booking events & programs, selling admission tickets & items from the gift shop
  • Assisting with social media and marketing including creating social media ads and tracking reach. Will also be included in assisting with writing blog posts through the summer which will be posted on website.
  • Assisting with the coordination of the Arts & Music in the Gardens festival – assisting the committee organize the event, create and implement a survey of festival visitors, day-of help with vendors, visitors and volunteers as well as preparing a final report for next year's event.
  • Helping the Events Manager with facility rentals including attending client meetings, answering inquiries and with setting up the room requirements and audio-visual requirements
  • Assist with Community Education workshops by providing instructor liaison during workshops, workshop assistance with room and audio-visual requirements and promotions

Summer Student: Requirements
This position is a Summer Student position funded through Service Canada. Applicants must:

  • Be between the ages of 15 and 30 at the start of employment
  • Have been registered as a full-time student in the preceding academic year
  • Intend to return to school full-time during the next academic year
  • Be a student in a secondary, post-secondary, vocational or technical program
  • Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person on whom refugee protection has been conferred

The successful candidate must be available for weekend work (mostly Tuesdays to Saturdays) and be able to lift and carry 20 lbs.
35 hours per week / $13 per hour
Please submit a cover letter and resume with references to Megan Stacey at [email protected] by June 7th.

Position 3: Youth Development Coordinator

The Gardens at HCP is a public garden and place of learning in Saanich. The HCP is a not-for-profit society focused on the provision of horticulture education and the development and maintenance of 104 acres of educational gardens and conservation lands.
We are currently looking for a post-secondary student to help fill our summer employment positions from June 25 – August 26th, days to be determined, but must be available for pre-scheduled youth programs including the Junior Master Gardener summer camps.
The successful candidate will have the following attributes:

  • Background working with youth of all ages
  • Experience developing and/or writing program material
  • Enthusiastic and organized
  • Ability to work both as a member of a team and independently
  • Interest in gardening and nature
  • Assisting with the development of a marketing plan for Summer Programs

General Duties will include:

  • Under the general direction of the School and Youth Program Coordinator, the Youth Leader will provide direct supervision to volunteers and program participants. 
  • Youth Leaders will be responsible for planning and supervising relevant activities in a variety of programs for youth.  This also involves ensuring the safety and well-being of participants and communicating and working cooperatively with participants, parents, volunteers and supervisors.  
  • Assist with creating future youth programs and materials
  • Must provide own laptop

Summer Student: Requirements
This position is a Summer Student position funded through Service Canada. Applicants must:

  • Be between the ages of 15 and 30 at the start of employment
  • Have been registered as a full-time student in the preceding academic year
  • Intend to return to school full-time during the next academic year
  • Is a student in a secondary, post-secondary, vocational or technical program
  • Is a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person on whom refugee protection has been conferred

 Criminal Record Check will be required. Gardening, BC School curriculum knowledge and experience working with children are assets. The student must be able to work independently and with staff and volunteers. Candidate will be required to provide their own laptop.
35 hours per week / $13 per hour
Please submit a cover letter and resume with references to Paula McCormick at [email protected] by June 7th.