We are seeking an individual who is inspired by our mission and whose beliefs align with our core values of integrity, compassion, inquiry and courage, and reflects our core competencies to join Havergal College as a
Groundskeeper. This is a full-time, one-year contract.
Salary range for this position: $25 - $30/hour
Why Havergal is the Place to Be
Founded in 1894 and located on a beautiful 22-acre campus in midtown Toronto, Canada, Havergal College is one of Canada’s pre-eminent independent schools for girls from Junior Kindergarten through Grade 12. At Havergal College, we believe that great schools are made up of great people. With a rich history spanning over 130 years, we are committed to offering a contemporary liberal arts education, which is rooted in the Anglican tradition. Our mission is to prepare young women to make a difference. Through our outstanding academic and cocurricular programs, and a cohesive and collegial team of faculty and administration staff, we nurture a culture of capability that fosters self-confidence, leadership, critical thinking and global-mindedness within our students.
We take pride in attracting and retaining highly-qualified faculty and administration staff to ensure that our school remains at the forefront of educational excellence. Join us in this transformative journey of education, working together to empower young women to make a positive difference in our world.
We are committed to building a diverse workforce and an inclusive workplace. We believe that an inclusive environment fosters a culture of mutual respect, creativity and innovation, collaboration and accountability. To this end, we encourage applications from all qualified candidates with a diverse range of experiences and perspectives, including women, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Colour) peoples, LGBTQ2S+, and persons with disabilities to join our thriving team. We seek candidates who are committed to nurturing a community where integrity, compassion, inquiry and courage thrive.
The Position:
The Groundskeeper at Havergal is part of a dynamic team, under the leadership of the Grounds Lead, responsible for the daily maintenance & operations tasks associated with all plantings and grounds elements, and for the provision of support to other Facilities staff in the performance of their duties relating to setups, furniture moves, deliveries, etc., where needed.
Specific Accountabilities:
- Routine grass maintenance, cutting and trimming.
- Weeding and cultivation of all flower and shrub beds.
- Pruning and trimming of all shrubs, bushes, ivy, etc.
- Application of fertilizers and other ground treatments.
- Marking and maintenance of all field lines for various games.
- Assistance to the Grounds Lead in the design and installation of planters, steps, beds, etc.
- Construction and/or installation of new landscape features, i.e. steps, beds, etc.
- Maintenance of existing landscape features, including irrigation.
- Operate heavy winter equipment (truck plows, skid steers, snowblowers, etc) to clear parking lots, roadways, primary walkways, and emergency exits prior to student/staff arrival on campus.
- Apply salt, sand, and eco-friendly ice melt across high-traffic pedestrian zones, stairs, bridges, and accessibility ramps.
- Clear snow, ice, and debris from roof overhangs, eaves, catch basins, and storm drains to prevent ice damming, localized flooding, and freeze-thaw hardscape damage.
- Monitor school grounds for ice-laden or damaged tree branches posing safety hazards, execute emergency pruning, and maintain winter wraps/burlap protection on campus flora.
- Maintain meticulous daily weather and salting logs for risk management compliance
- Maintenance of woodlots.
- Clearing of debris from eavestroughs and flat roof drains.
- Routine mechanical maintenance of hand tools, power tools, machinery and equipment.
- Delivery and pickup of various materials and items in and around the City of Toronto.
- Assist other Facilities staff as required to provide function setups, furniture and equipment moves, parking supervision, etc.
- All other duties which may be requested by management.
Qualifications, Knowledge And Experience
- Minimum three years of experience, ideally in winter maintenance.
- Demonstrated experience operating large machinery, i.e. snowplows, sit-down mowers, blowers, salt spreaders, etc.
- Extensive general knowledge of landscaping maintenance, plant materials and other landscape materials, i.e. interlock paving, etc.
- Well-skilled in the maintenance and repair of landscaping materials, both living and inert.
- Able to use small power hand tools for the performance of repairs and installations.
- Working knowledge of industry standards and safety guidelines, including WHMIS, OHS Act, AODA.
- Good computer skills, experience in the use of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook (email).
Physical Demands
- Frequent lifting, carrying and moving of heavy objects, including materials and finished projects in excess of 65lbs.
- Working in dusty and dirty conditions with possible extremes of temperature and a requirement for frequent use of Personal Protective Equipment.
- Standing for long periods and working from a crouched or bending position.
- Operation of large equipment for long periods, involving repetitive movements and procedures and exposure to loud noises.
- Required to work flexible working hours driven by weather conditions, which may include early starts, extended shifts, and weekend work.
General Requirements
- Valid driver’s license with a clean driver’s abstract.
- Team player with excellent interpersonal and organizational skills.
- Good communication skills, able to deal directly with faculty, staff, students and visitors, interpret requests and translate them into action.
- Self-motivated with a strong desire to provide excellent service.
- Neat and tidy appearance at all times with a requirement to wear a uniform, provided by the college, at all times when on duty.
- Committed to continuous professional development through attendance at trade shows and participation in further education courses.
Demonstrated ability and commitment to the Core Competencies of;
- Collaboration & Teamwork
- Integrity & Trust
- Learning Agility
- Communication
- Growth Mindset
- Inclusive Excellence
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply and express their interest to HC Careers no later than
October 1, 2026. This job posting is for an existing vacancy. We use an AI transcription tool for note-taking during the initial telephone pre-screening. This helps us capture key details, with Human Resources maintaining full oversight and final determination on all records. Candidate consent will be requested before the call, and declining will not affect your application. If declined, an HR member will take manual notes.
Havergal College thanks all applicants in advance. Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Havergal College is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to an inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and selection process, and work environment in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). We will be happy to work with applicants requesting accommodation at any stage of the hiring process. If you require accommodations, please contact Cathy LeBlanc at 416-483-3519 ext. 6526 or by email at
[email protected].
