Trails Technician

Job Summary

Service Area: Public Services Department: Parks Work Location: Parks, 50 Municipal Street Work Mode: In Person Job Type and Duration: Permanent, Full Time Vacancy Position Availability: 1 existing vacant position Salary Range: $34.49 per hour Affiliation: CUPE Local 241 Posting Period: October 23, 2026 to November 8, 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 position of Trails Technician within Parks. The successful candidate will perform duties related, but not limited to trails maintenance, parks events, and related services within the City’s parks in accordance with established standard operating procedures, departmental and corporate policies, sound construction principles, 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

Organize labour, tools and resources required to carry out assigned duties.

Inform the Lead hand of workplace requirements and adjust maintenance schedules to efficiently perform assigned duties.

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.

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.

Installation of new trails, ensure culverts and ditches and bridges are clear to ensure proper drainage.

Posting for and application of herbicides to control noxious weeds and invasive species as directed, in accordance with the Ontario Pesticides Act.

Perform stretch assignments related to ecological restoration and natural area stewardship.

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, DZ vehicles, Bobcat tool cat and attachments including auxiliary attachments (i.e. Blechavator, and Trail Pro), pickup truck with trailer, rototiller, blowers, shovels, rakes, string trimmer, chainsaw, chipper, and power washers in a safe and efficient manner.

Perform various duties relating to winter maintenance including operating relevant equipment, manual snow and ice clearing, salting and sanding as needed.

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.

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 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.

Perform other related duties as assigned

Qualifications and requirements

Experience related to the duties listed above, normally acquired through the completion of a two (2) year degree or diploma in Parks Management, Outdoor Recreation or closely related field and 1-2 years’ 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 current Forestry and Landscape Exterminator class applicators license from the Ministry of the Environment.

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 license 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 requirem