Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) is Canada’s only polytechnic university, proudly serving the South Fraser region for more than 40 years. With campuses in Surrey, Richmond, Langley, and Cloverdale, KPU is deeply connected to the communities it serves and to the diverse cultures, backgrounds, and lived experiences of its students. Through academic excellence, applied learning, innovation, and strong industry and community partnerships, KPU prepares students for meaningful futures.
As an open-access university, KPU is powered by the people who live and work here. We believe every employee plays a meaningful role in supporting student learning and success. We are honoured to carry the name of the Kwantlen First Nation and are committed to equity, inclusion, reconciliation, and respectful relationships. As one of BC’s Top Employers, KPU is dedicated to fostering a supportive, inclusive, and engaged workplace where employees feel valued, connected to purpose, and empowered to make an impact.
We invite you to explore your next career opportunity at KPU and discover how your work can contribute to a university where thought truly meets action.
Competition ID: 4893
Internal Closing Date: Open Until Filled
External Closing Date: Open Until Filled
# of Openings: 1
Salary Information: Faculty Pay Scale
Employment Type: Qualified Faculty List
Workplace Type: On-Site
Travel Frequency: Occasional travel between campuses is required.
Employee Group: Faculty (Kwantlen Faculty Association)
Days of Work (BCGEU): Hours of Work (BCGEU): Hours per Week (BCGEU):
HORTICULTURE Contract Instructor
POSITION TYPE: Qualified Faculty List (QFL, NR1)
POSITION START: September 2027
Faculty Overview
As Canada’s only polytechnic university, Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) is the fourth largest university in the province of British Columbia and serves communities in the South Fraser region and beyond. A Leader in innovative education with a teaching-focused mandate, KPU offers all learners opportunities to achieve the highest standards of academic performance.
Within KPU, the Faculty of Science has over 1,500 full-time students and over 200 faculty members and instructors from across the natural and applied sciences. Faculty of Science includes nine departments and over 30 programs at the undergraduate level, with offerings at all four KPU campuses. The faculty is also home to Canada Research Chair: Dr. Cayley Velazquez and Sherman Jen Research Chair, Dr. Paul Adams.
The Faculty of Science offers experiential learning through hands-on curriculum and co-ops and research collaboration opportunities with KPU’s Institute for Sustainable Horticulture (ISH), Institute of Sustainable Food Systems (ISFS), and Applied Genomics Center (AGC). As well, our faculty is home to over a hectare of horticulture field lab and working farm and a state-of-the art brewery, which has been recognized internationally and locally, winning BC Brewery of the Year in 2019.
For more information about the Faculty of Science, please visit our website at: kpu.ca/science
Position Overview
The School of Horticulture invites applications for our Qualified Faculty List (Part-Time, Non-Regular, Type 1 Contract Instructors) to teach Landscape Horticulturalist apprenticeship courses at the KPU Langley campus.
The following is a brief description demonstrating the range of Landscape Horticulturalist courses. All AHHA courses are listed at the end. Candidates are expected to be able to teach a selection of those courses, depending on experience.
AHHA 1002 Turf Installation and Maintenance - A Landscape Horticulturist has a working knowledge of turf installation, establishment and maintenance. Apprentices will calibrate and use measuring equipment to install growing media and amendments. Apprentices will install turf from seed and sod. Apprentices will be able to describe turf grass functions, nutrition and application technology. They will perform mowing and trimming of grass. They will describe the monitoring, cultivation, irrigation, maintenance and repair of turf grass.
AHHA 1010 Maintain Exteriorscape - A Landscape Horticulturist has a working knowledge of a variety of hand tools and techniques to maintain exteriorscapes. They can discuss documentation and describe the purpose and procedures of exteriorscape maintenance. Apprentices will perform visual inspections and perform a variety of techniques to maintain exterior landscapes according to contract documents and industry standards. Apprentices will create a maintenance plan for an exterior softscape.
AHHA 1026 Machinery and Equipment - A Landscape Horticulturist has a working knowledge of a variety of equipment and safety related functions. They will use motorized equipment and personal protective equipment and safety related equipment. Apprentices will demonstrate power tool maintenance and storage. They will identify basic vehicle systems and components. They will inspect vehicles and equipment and operate motorized vehicles.
AHHA 1032 Exterior Landscape Practices - A Landscape Horticulturist has a working knowledge of a variety of hand tools and techniques to maintain, install and transplant plants and promote environmental stewardship. They will discuss documentation and describe the purpose and procedures for installing and transplanting plants for exteriorscapes. Apprentices will perform a variety of techniques to maintaining and installing plant material to promote plant health according to contract documents and industry standards, including fertilization and liming. They will calibrate and use measuring equipment to fertilize or lime. They will install mulch.
AHHA 1052 Irrigation and Lighting - A landscape horticulturist has to understand and recognize the uses of water and light in the landscape. Apprentices will explore, understand and describe the basics of irrigation system design and maintenance. This class has a hands-on achievement criteria where the apprentices will prepare and install a small irrigation system. They will examine water management, water efficiency and water stewardship as it applies to the landscape. They will identify soil characteristics, climate and environmental issues that influence water needs in the landscape. Apprentices will examine and explain how to design, install and maintain decorative water features in the landscape - their pieces, parts and how they function. Apprentices will describe and discuss low voltage lighting systems - their application and purpose - used in our landscapes.
AHHA 1054 Plant Materials - A Landscape Horticulturist has a working knowledge of a variety of different plant families and species, and can identify them using a variety of methodologies. Apprentices will identify at least 90 woody and non-woody species common to British Columbia using several different methodologies. Apprentices will also be able to recognize plants suitable for common tropical, floral and interior landscape situations.
AHHA 1077 Estimating - Preparing estimates is a fundamental task that must be done accurately for the success of a landscape business. Apprentices will interpret landscape drawings and reference documentations pertaining to estimating. They will participate in job planning activities such as identifying and scheduling labour, material, tools and equipment. Apprentices will interpret site information and prepare estimates for basic landscape projects.
AHHA 1081 Prep for Red Seal - Apprentices will describe the role, responsibilities and skills of a mentor. They will describe learning styles and value of essential skills in the workplace. Apprentices will review all competencies from Level 1 to Level 4 and will write weekly quizzes in preparation for the Red Seal Exam.
Level 1 Landscape Horticulturalist Apprenticeship Courses
- AHHA 1001 - Equipment and Safety
- AHHA 1002 - Turf Installation and Maintenance
- AHHA 1003 - Soil Science
- AHHA 1005 - Grading and Drainage
- AHHA 1007 - Plant Science
- AHHA 1008 - Plant Materials
- AHHA 1009 - Plant Health
- AHHA 1010 - Maintain Exteriorscape
- AHHA 1012 - Work Planning and Communication
Level 2 Landscape Horticulturalist Apprenticeship Courses
- AHHA 1026 - Machinery & Equipment
- AHHA 1027 - Construction & Communication
- AHHA 1028 - Soils
- AHHA 1029 - Plant Science
- AHHA 1030 - Plant Materials
- AHHA 1031 - Pruning I
- AHHA 1032 - Exterior Landscape Practices
Level 3 Landscape Horticulturalist Apprenticeship Courses
- AHHA 1051 - Construction
- AHHA 1052 - Irrigation and Lighting
- AHHA 1053 - Plant Health
- AHHA 1054 - Plant Materials
- AHHA 1055 - Pruning II
- AHHA 1056 - Softscapes
Level 4 Landscape Horticulturalist Apprenticeship Courses
- AHHA 1076 - Green Infrastructure
- AHHA 1077 - Estimating
- AHHA 1078 - Plant Health
- AHHA 1079 - Plant Materials
- AHHA 1080 - Design
- AHHA 1081 - Prep for Red Seal
- AHHA 1082 - Plant Health Prep
More information concerning the working conditions for a faculty member are outlined in Article 12 of the Kwantlen Faculty Association (KFA) Collective Agreement.
Qualifications
Minimum qualifications for this position include a relevant trades designation (Landscape Horticulturalist Red Seal) and at least five years of relevant work experience the horticultural landscape industry. Preference will be given for those with prior Trades teaching experience and/or a Provincial Instructors Diploma. A related bachelor’s degree and other industry certifications are considered an asset.
Application Requirements
Candidates are asked to submit:
- Current resume/CV
- Cover letter highlighting key qualifications and teaching approach
Because this competition will be used to populate our Qualified Faculty List, please state whether you wish to be added to this list and specify which of the listed courses best align with your professional background and teaching expertise. Please also indicate your preferred Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) workload percentage on your application.
Placement on the salary scale will be dependent on level of education and relevant teaching experience. Advancement up the pay scale is based on FTE and employment status.
Total Rewards
As a part of our total rewards offerings, KPU also offers extended health and dental benefits, healthcare spending account, generous vacation package, defined pension plan, parenthood top-up, sick leave, long-term disability, life insurance, professional development days, tuition waiver, inhouse training & development, inter-campus transportation, and more!
Note: Eligibility requirements apply, benefits may vary depending on the employee group the position belongs to and whether the position offered is temporary or part-time.
Visit https://www.kpu.ca/hr for more information on KPU’s workplace, culture and total rewards.
Note to Applicants
Kwantlen Polytechnic University welcomes and encourages applications from equity deserving groups and diverse experiences including, but not limited to, Indigenous people, racialized people, people with disabilities, and members of the 2S/LGBTQIA+ community.
If there are any barriers that you are experiencing or an accommodation that we can provide to support you through the application process, please reach out to us at talentacquisition@kpu.ca.
Kwantlen Polytechnic University is committed to protecting the safety and welfare of employees, students, and the general public, and upholding the reputation and integrity of the University. For this reason, final applicants will be asked to undergo a background check.
We thank all applicants for their interest in employment with KPU. Only candidates who are legally eligible to work in Canada will be considered; only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
