Sustainable landscaping, Eco-friendly horticulture & garden design

Job Title: Team Lead, GreenForceTO
Social Enterprise: RAINscapeTO
Location: Toronto, Ontario

• Hours Per Week: 35 hours/week
• Rate of Pay: $27/hour
• Job Location: City of Toronto
• Apply by: March 5, 2025 (on a rolling basis)
• Anticipated Start date: March 19, 2025

Are you looking for impactful work redefining greenspaces and creating a more equitable city? Would you like to lead a diverse team working at the forefront of climate action and social justice? If yes, then we want to hear from you!

RAINscapeTO is an eco-landscaping social enterprise that designs, implements and maintains beautiful and earth-friendly gardens. We offer the design and installation of sustainable gardens such as pollinator and edible gardens, rain gardens and bioswales. We also provide services to support local food production and the use of native plants as vital additions to a sustainable and healthy urban landscape. For more information on RAINscapeTO visit: rainscapeto.ca

Established in 2016, RAINscapeTO is a social enterprise incubated by Toronto Green Community (TGC) that aims to create rewarding work and career pathways for those facing barriers to employment. At TGC, we value and respect the rich ecological knowledge base and the intrinsic connection of Indigenous peoples to the land. We aim to provide meaningful, and culturally sensitive employment and training for emerging urban-placed First Nations, Metis, and Inuit peoples.

Job Purpose

The Team Lead will be part of RAINscapeTO’s leadership team and will lead implementation of GreenForceTO, a Green Workforce Development project initiated by the city of Toronto. With the support of the Project Manager, the team lead will represent RAINscapeTO and its project partners and will act as the bridge between the Eco-landscaping crew and RAINscapeTO’s Management. This position reports to the Project Manager of GreenForceTO, who will approve key decisions.

Launched in 2021 by the City of Toronto in partnership with RAINscapeTO and Building Up, GreenForceTO aims to create local green jobs in landscaping and property maintenance, build employment skills and develop career pathways.

Duties and Responsibilities

In collaboration with the Project Manager and supported by the leadership team, the Team Lead will be responsible for the following aspects of the social enterprise:

Project planning and delivery

• Lead a team of three eco-landscapers in the design, installation, and maintenance of green infrastructure solutions, including the following tasks:
  • Ensure Health and Safety Policies, code of conduct and regulations are followed
  • Ensure tools and equipment are maintained frequently and properly
  • Coordinate and schedule eco-landscaper shifts, helping with transportation of staff from office to project site and on-the-ground delivery of gardening services as required
  • Assist the crew lead in training and monitoring eco-landscapers in landscaping techniques and delegating tasks to them
  • Keep track of employee timesheets, project expenses and supply needs
  • Collect statistical and anecdotal data to assess project successes and barriers
  • Coordinate weekly team meetings and one-on-one check points with the crew lead and eco-landscapers
  • Monitor team dynamics and report to Project Manager on issues and opportunities for improvement
• Assist with the ongoing project tracking and the creation of the final report with recommendations for project scalability.

Organization leadership

• Lead a diverse team of 3 people
• Build team capacity and support hiring and training processes for new team members, with an emphasis on the development of Indigenous leadership
• Support ongoing personal and professional development of staff, fostering a culture of engagement and open collaboration
• Identify and address performance issues, providing support as per human resources policies
• Collect relevant data to prepare evaluation plans and assess progress
• Support other organization-wide initiatives as required.

Desired Qualifications and skills

The ideal candidate must have strong technical and horticultural skills, be able to deliver excellent customer service, have leadership and interpersonal skills and have experience in the design and construction of landscaping and green infrastructure solutions.

• A degree or a combination of related training and experience in environmental sciences, business administration, social development, landscape architecture, design, engineering.
• 3+ years experience in Horticulture/Landscape Architecture
• Strong working knowledge of eco-landscaping, including garden design and implementation, plant ID and plant maintenance
• Demonstrated leadership and communication skills, experience managing a team with diverse backgrounds and levels of experience
• Understanding of the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Final Report and the 94 Calls to Action
• Working knowledge of human resources management and social development policies and practices.
• Experience in liaising with community groups, neighbourhood and business associations
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to work in all weather conditions and in physically demanding tasks.
• Available to work flexible hours with peak intensities from spring to fall
• Full ‘G’ Drivers license.

We strongly encourage people from underrepresented groups to apply, particularly those who identify as First Nations, Metis and Inuit.

Terms of employment and compensation

This is a full-time seasonal position up to 35 hours/week. Hourly rate of $27 based on experience and skills.

To Apply, send your cover letter and resume via email to: community@torontogreen.ca with “Team Lead GFTO” in your email’s subject line.

Please mention you saw this at GoodWork.ca.

Deadline for submissions: March 5, 2025 at 11:59 PM

Toronto Green Community is committed to providing a workplace that supports equity, diversity and inclusivity. We proactively strive to eliminate any form of harassment and discrimination and be equitable by building these objectives and practices into our teams, programs and services. Please notify us in advance if you require any accommodation.