Jobs at the Arb
The Humber Arboretum employs both regular staff and work-study students for positions in areas such as horticulture, landscaping, nature education, events management, communication, and administration. All staff are employed through Humber College, which in 2018 was named by Mediacorp as one of Canada's Greenest Employers for the third year in a row, partly due to the work of Arboretum and the Centre for Urban Ecology. Humber College also won Smart Commute's 2017 Employer of the Year Award for the Toronto region.
Work on Campus: Student Employment Opportunities
The Humber Arboretum hires Humber College and University of Guelph-Humber students for a variety of challenging, hands-on work-study positions throughout the year. No matter your program of study, you can apply for an engaging and fulfilling role at the Arb.
Past positions have offered work in gardening, landscape construction, greenhouse operation, nature education, summer camp, business operations, office & events assistance, graphic design and videography/photography.
Current and prospective Humber College and Guelph-Humber students can visit Humber Career Services to learn about eligibility for work-study positions and use CareerConnect to search for other currently available opportunities across campus.
The Humber Arboretum is currently hiring Work Study students for:
Student Gardeners
$14/hr, 35 hrs/wk from May to August (work takes place Monday-Friday; no weekends required)
Job Description: Summer gardeners have the unique opportunity to work with experienced and skilled gardening staff. Be a member of the team! Learn practical horticultural knowledge, including garden maintenance, small equipment operation, and sustainable environmental stewardship. Student gardeners will receive horticultural and health and safety training.
General landscape maintenance tasks include but are not exclusive to:
- Garden cleanup, weeding, watering, digging, raking, mulching, and cultivating
- Deadheading and pruning of various plants
- Tree and shrub planting, pruning, and maintenance
- Routine trash pickup
- Operation of grounds maintenance equipment
- Turf maintenance
Qualifications:
- Must be a Humber College or UofGH work-study approved student
- Must be willing to work outdoors in varying weather conditions
- Must be able to work cooperatively as part of a team
- Must be able to work independently as needed
- Being detail-oriented is a real asset
- Related experience is an asset but is not required
- Valid driver's licence is preferred but not required
- Must have own pair of C.S.A. (green patch) safety boots
- Must be able to lift at least 30 pounds
- Must be able to sustain physical activity necessary for the maintenance of gardens and grounds
Please note, these positions are open to students from any program.
To apply email Rob Gray, Horticultural Technologist & Arborist, at robert.gray@humber.ca with your work study confirmation letter, resume and cover letter. Please be sure to indicate in your email subject line the title of the position you are applying for (Student Gardener).
Graphic Design Assistant
Up to 15 hrs/week, $14/hr, April 2019 – August 2019 (with potential for renewal)
Under the direction of the Humber Arboretum Director, the Communications Assistant, and other Arboretum staff, you will be responsible for assisting with and creating brochures, posters, signage, graphics for social media campaigns, sourcing & quoting for print materials for the office, and other assignments and duties as required. You will also have the opportunity to engage with and advise students participating in the Humber Arboretum’s ArbComm Crew pilot project.
Qualifications:
- Ability to deliver creative content, both digital and printed
- Ability to grasp trends in design and act proactively
- Excellent communication skills
- Experience with Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign
- Interest in nature, gardening, or the environment will be considered an asset
- Leadership skills are an asset but not required
To Apply:
Send a resume, cover letter, a copy of your work study approval, and samples of your work or a link to an online portfolio to Humber Arboretum Communications Assistant Marilyn Campbell at marilyn.campbell@humber.ca by midnight Sunday April 21. Please be sure to include the name of the position you are applying for in your subject line.
Social Media and Marketing Assistant / ArbComm Crew Co-Coordinator
$14/hr
In this dual role, you’ll have the opportunity to practice your social media and marketing skills while developing leadership and management abilities and acquiring specific content knowledge related to gardens and nature.
Description
Summer Term (May 1 – August 31): Up to 22 hrs per week
Under the direction of the Humber Arboretum’s Communication Assistant, you will create posters, flyers, social media graphics and other assets to promote the Humber Arboretum’s goals, programs, and events; create and manage online event listings; and assist with the Humber Arboretum’s social media channels. During this time you will also be trained alongside another student coordinator on leadership skills and content knowledge related to Ontario’s natural systems and gardening as you help to develop and prepare to facilitate the ArbComm Crew pilot project.
Fall and Winter Terms (Sept 3 - March 31): Up to 14.5 hrs per week
Under the mentorship of the Humber Arboretum’s Communications Assistant and in partnership with your Co-Coordinator, you will recruit and manage student volunteers for the ArbComm Crew. Plan and host weekly meetings, share knowledge you gained during the summer, and oversee the Crew’s projects. During this time you will also continue to provide social media and marketing support to the Arboretum. Other duties as required.
Required Skills/Experience:
- Experience with various social media platforms required (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube); experience with related analytics will be considered an asset
- Some graphic design experience preferred (posters, flyers, or social media graphics)
- Strong writing skills and professionalism in communications required
- Photography skills to help cover events will be considered an asset
- Interest in gaining knowledge related to nature, gardening, or the environment; existing knowledge will be considered an asset but not required
- Able to work well independently and manage deadlines
- Able to work well as part of a team
To Apply:
Send a resume, a cover letter, a copy of your work study approval, and samples of your work to Humber Arboretum Communications Assistant Marilyn Campbell at marilyn.campbell@humber.ca - the deadline had been extended to midnight, Sunday April 28. Please be sure to include the position you are applying for in your subject line.
Videography Assistant / ArbComm Crew Co-Coordinator
$14/hr
In this dual role, you’ll have the opportunity to practice your video creation skills while developing leadership and management abilities and acquiring specific content knowledge related to gardens and nature.
Description
Summer Term (May 1 – August 31): Up to 22 hrs per week
Under the direction of the Humber Arboretum’s Communication Assistant, you will shoot and edit videos for use on the Humber Arboretum’s website and social media channels. The majority of these videos will be used to promote the Arboretum’s programs, events, and services. During this time you will also be trained alongside another student coordinator on leadership skills and on content knowledge related to the Arboretum, Ontario’s natural systems, and gardening as you help to develop and prepare to facilitate the ArbComm Crew pilot project. Other duties as required.
Fall and Winter Terms (Sept 3 - March 31): Up to 14.5 hrs per week
Under the mentorship of the Humber Arboretum’s Communications Assistant and in partnership with your Co-Coordinator, you will recruit and manage student volunteers for the Arboretum’s ArbComm Crew pilot project. Plan and host weekly meetings, share knowledge you gained during the summer, and oversee the Crew’s projects. During this time you will also continue to create video content for the Arboretum on an as-needed basis. Other duties as required.
Qualifications:
- Video creation experience required: planning, operating film equipment, recording audio, using editing software (Adobe Premiere Pro)
- Other media skills (conducting interviews, photography, audio projects) are an asset
- Able to work independently and manage deadlines
- Able to work well as part of a team
- Interest in gaining knowledge related to nature, gardening, or the environment; existing knowledge will be considered an asset but not required
To Apply:
Send a resume, a cover letter, a copy of your work study approval, and links to samples of your video work to Humber Arboretum Communications Assistant Marilyn Campbell at marilyn.campbell@humber.ca - the deadline has been extended to midnight on Sunday April 28. Please be sure to include the position you are applying for in your subject line.
Permanent and Contract Employment
All regular full and part-time staff of the Humber Arboretum are employed through Humber College. Visit the Humber College Careers Portal at any time to search for the most up-to-date information on available positions and to apply.
- Manager, Humber Arboretum and Centre for Urban Ecology, apply by May 5
Humber Arboretum Ambassadors: Student Volunteer Opportunities
Another way for students to get involved is to apply to be a Humber Arboretum Ambassador. This program provides opportunities to develop some of the same skills as working at the Arb and is a great way to explore your related interests in a fun and supportive environment. Based on their skills and interests, HAAs focus on one of three streams:
- Community Connector
- Media Maven
- Nature Steward
The application process to become an HAA will generally open in the late summer and close in late September. Please visit the Humber Arboretum Ambassadors page to learn more
(Tip: If you are interested in joining but discover you have missed the current year's deadline, it could still be worth sending an email!)
