Nursery and Seed Orchard Labourers

THE OPPORTUNITY

We have multiple openings for Nursery and Seed Orchard Labourers to join our Saanich Forestry Centre in Saanichton, BC. On the job training provided!

• Length of contract: 4 months (April – July) with possible extension
• Shifts: 7:30am - 4:30pm (Mon-Thurs) and 7:30am-1:00pm (Fri); we are ideally looking to hire for full time, but part time shifts may be available
• Starting wage: $18.75 plus performance-based incentives

What You’ll Do: You’ll be a key team member at our Saanich Forest Centre where we grow millions of tree seedlings every year to be planted at our operations on the Coast. You would work as part of a team to maintain our Seed Orchards and nursery green houses, doing tasks such as planting, mulching, and caring for trees. You will handle, quality grade and package seedlings and perform a variety of other tasks relevant to greenhouse maintenance.

Who You Are: You are an advocate for sustainable practices and stand firm on safety practices. You are capable to lift up to 23 kg (50 lb) unaided and can sustain repetitive and physical tasks for 8 hours in all weather! No experience is needed for this role as we are willing to train candidates who have a positive attitude and are eager to learn.

Work Environment: This position is to be performed in person at the Saanich Forestry Centre. We offer a fun and supportive team environment with a safety-first work culture. For more information, click here.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Planting, mulching and otherwise caring for trees;
• Cone harvesting using a ladder;
• Maintaining infrastructure such as fences, ditches and irrigation systems;
• Hand weeding;
• Harvesting vegetative material with hand clippers;
• Collecting and applying pollen;
• Working in a team environment to extract seedlings from greenhouses;
• Handling, quality grading and packaging of seedlings;
• Lifting and carrying of full seedlings boxes for transport;
• Greenhouse end-of-season clean-up;
• Prepping and sowing (planting) of seeds;
• Bending and lifting of blocks of growing seedlings;
• Thinning extra seedlings out of growing blocks; and
• Greenhouse maintenance.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Excellent safety record and strong work ethic;
• Demonstrated commitment to safety;
• Demonstrated ability to work both as part of a team and with minimal supervision;
• Desire to participate in an organization committed to continuous improvement;
• Accountable and dependable;
• Adaptable to work in all weather conditions;
• Capable to sustain repetitive and physical tasks for 8 hours;
• Capable to lift up to 23 kg (50 lb) unaided;
• Positive attitude;
• Open to learning new skills;
• Clean and organized.

The following would be considered assets:

• Valid Class 5 Driver’s License;
• Grade 12 or equivalent;
• Mobile equipment certification/experience such as forklift and manlift;
• First aid training/WHMIS preferred; and
• Previous greenhouse/orchard experience.

ABOUT SAANICH FORESTRY CENTRE

The Saanich Forestry Centre operation, established in 1964, is the start of everything Western does. The facility on East Saanich Road features Seed Orchards and a forest-seedling nursery; it produces 6.6 million seeds and 3.3 million seedlings annually. The seeds are used to grow douglas fir, western red cedar, western hemlock, yellow cypress and sitka spruce. The seedlings are used in Western’s operations around the coast.

WESTERN OVERVIEW

Western Forest Products is a leading forest products company that manufactures high-quality wood products and sustainably manages forests. Headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia with operations in the coastal region of B.C. and Washington State, Western meets the needs of customers worldwide with a specialty wood products focus and diverse product offering. Our large investment in manufacturing and progressive approach to safe and sustainable forestry practices ensures the health and prosperity of our business, forests and communities for generations to come.