Trails Operator (Full-Time, Temporary up to 4 months)

Job Summary

Service Area: Public Services Department: Parks Work Location: Parks, 50 Municipal Street Work Mode: In Person Job Type and Duration: Full time, Temporary vacancy up to 4 monthsPosition Availability: 1 existing vacant position Salary Range: $32.71 per hour Affiliation: CUPE Local 241 Posting Period: July 28, 2026 to August 10, 2026 11:59 p.m.

 

When you join the City of Guelph, you join a team of over 2000 employees who deliver services the community relies on every day. Together, we are bringing to life Guelph’s vision of an inclusive, connected, and prosperous city where we look after each other and our environment. As a single tier municipality, we offer a variety of occupations and career specialities within our organization. Guided by the goals and objectives of the Future Guelph: Strategic Plan and committed to the Corporate Values of integrity, service, inclusion, wellness and learning, the candidate will aid in the achievement of the Community Vision for an inclusive, connected, prosperous city.

 

What we offer

We offer competitive wages and comprehensive benefits to meet the needs of our diverse employees. Many of our positions offer:

• Paid vacation days, increasing with years of service
• Paid personal days;
• Defined benefit pension plan with OMERS, including 100-per-cent employer matching;
• Extended health and dental benefits, including Health Care Spending Account;
• Employee and Family Assistance Program;
• Parental leave top up program;
• Learning and development opportunities including tuition assistance
• Employee recognition programs.

Position Overview

Applications are being accepted for the temporary position of Trails Operator within Parks and Recreation. Reporting to the Program Manager, Sports and Leisure Grounds, the successful candidate will perform duties related, but not limited to, parks events and trails maintenance and related services within the City’s parks in accordance with established standard operating procedures, departmental and corporate policies, sound construction principles and practices, and applicable codes, with a focus on quality customer service and continuous improvement processes. Guided by the goals and objectives of the City of Guelph Corporate Strategic Plan and committed to the Corporate Values of integrity, service, inclusion, wellness and learning, the candidate will aid in the achievement of the Community Vision for an inclusive, connected, prosperous city.

Key duties and responsibilities

• Perform duties related to trails maintenance, parks events, and related services within the City’s parks while working outdoors in all types of weather conditions.
• Groom trails within the City and perform daily inspections on trails; make repairs to trails and cut back encroaching vegetation and other material that may pose a hazard or restrict park user access.
• Help with installation of new trails, ensuring culverts and ditches and bridges are clear to ensure proper drainage.
• Application of herbicides to control noxious weeds.
• Perform litter, brush and garbage pick up.
• Operate various types of maintenance equipment such as large mowers, agricultural tractors, front-end loaders, waste collection vehicles, Bobcat tool cat and attachments including auxiliary attachments (i.e. Blechavator, and Trail Pro).
• Operate various types of maintenance equipment and vehicles such as pickup truck with trailer, rototiller, blowers, shovels, rakes, string trimmer, chainsaw, chipper, box grader, lawnmowers, power washers, large mowers, agricultural tractors, front-end loaders, DZ vehicles, Bobcat skidsteer and small equipment including auxiliary attachments as required, in a safe and efficient manner.
• Carry out all necessary maintenance and adjustments while keeping the equipment in a safe, clean and tidy condition, and perform daily circle checks and report defects and, if necessary, small repairs in a prescribed manner.
• Lead part-time staff and instruct all support staff in the safe and efficient use, care and maintenance of tools and equipment, and maintenance practices.
• Comply with requirements of the Occupational Health & Safety Act, The Highway Traffic Act, all Federal, Provincial and City regulations, policies and procedures.
• Remove and/or flag obstacles hazardous to employees or the public or that interfere with the safe operation of vehicles or equipment, and duly note and report such conditions to a Lead hand or Supervisor.
• Maintain daily written records of work related activities.
• Complete park and trail inspections and utilize tablets to document findings.
• Complete daily activity time sheets; Report on variances in daily work plans.
• Immediately report vandalism, mechanical difficulties, damage and hazardous conditions.
• Actively participate in a team environment.
• Communicate courteously with the public and working cooperatively with volunteers.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications and requirements

• Experience related to the duties listed above, normally acquired through the completion of a Grade 12 diploma and 6 – 12 months experience performing trail maintenance activities and operating related trail maintenance equipment in a relevant setting. Candidates with equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Must possess a Class D-Z licence with a good driving record. Successful candidates will be required to provide a current driver’s abstract prior to their start date to confirm their licence is held in good standing and that it has not been suspended or revoked under the Highway Traffic Act (HTA) or Criminal Code of Canada in the last 5 years. The City of Guelph will take into consideration the number of demerit points and/or nature of the infractions to determine if it meets our requirements.
• Proven experience and knowledge relevant to trail/park maintenance and landscape maintenance/construction activities.
• Thorough knowledge of all maintenance aspects of relevant equipment, including the attachments.
• Current Landscape Exterminator class applicators license from the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change is a strong asset.
• Experience leading a crew would be an asset.
• Some post-secondary education in environmental management, parks, horticulture, outdoor recreation management, forestry or similar is preferred.
• Proficient time management skills and flexibility in adjusting within a variety of duties.
• Must be a reliable self-starter, able to make decisions and function with minimal supervision, as well, work as part of a team, and undertake all aspects of the job thoroughly and willingly.
• Must possess effective communication skills; able to deal with the public in a cordial manner.
• Must be able to perform the physical demands of the job including lifting, kneeling and shovelling and be able to actively participate in daily activities, work within live traffic conditions and in all types of weather conditions.
• Must obtain First Aid and CPR C certification prior to start date.
• Must possess an understanding of the OTM Book 7 for Temporary Conditions, and proven knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and other applicable legislation.

 

Notes:Applicants are required to demonstrate in their application how their qualifications match those specified above. Assessments based on all of the objectives and qualifications listed above will be a part of the interview, written and/or practical test and reference checking.

 

Hours of workAny five (5) consecutive days, eight (8) consecutive hours, Monday to Friday, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

 

Special or Seasonal Events employees in the Parks Department may be required to work shifts in order to accommodate special or seasonal events but shall not be scheduled for more than five (5) days per week, eight (8) hours per day. Shifts may be scheduled as day, afternoon, or night shifts.

How to applyQualified applicants are invited to apply using our online application system by August 10, 2026. Please note all applicants must complete the online questionnaire specific to this position at the time they submit their resume and cover letter in order to be considered.

Please visit the job posting listed on our City of Guelph careers page and click on the “Apply for this job” button. Instructions will follow.

 

Hiring Process TransparencyThe City of Guelph is committed to fair and transparent recruitment practices. Candidates who participate in an interview for this position will be notified of the hiring decision within 45 days of their interview. Notifications will be provided in writing, or through technology.

 

Commitment to Diversity & AccessibilityThe City of Guelph is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where employees feel welcome, valued and engaged. Our employment policies strictly prohibit all forms of discrimination on any of the grounds in relevant laws. All employment practices are solely based on individual merit, qualifications, and organization's needs at the time. In keeping with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, we are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals in our job application procedures. If you need an accommodation in order to participate in the hiring process, you may contact us to make your needs known in advance.

 

Privacy Notice Personal information collected through the recruitment process will be used solely to determine eligibility for employment. We thank all candidates in advance; however, only those being considered for an interview will be contacted.