The Team
The Seed Production section is responsible for effectively managing five ministry seed orchard sites, representing 50% of the orchard capacity in BC. The section has 11 full-time staff, 19 long-term auxiliary employees, and up to 80 seasonal staff, responsible for managing 50,000 trees within 40 orchards. Kalamalka Seed Orchard has a small team of 6-8 people who work closely on the development and day-to-day operations of the seed orchards.
The Role
The position is responsible for maintenance of orchard cones through picking and collecting or will be responsible for the maintenance of orchard trees through pruning. You will be responsible for either collecting and picking orchard cones or pruning orchard trees with the use of orchard ladders and lifts.
Qualifications:
Education and Experience Requirements
- Physically fit and able to lift supplies up to 25kg for 30 m (i.e. bags of fertilizer, cones buckets, etc.) and operate equipment (i.e. orchard lifts, pruners, weed eaters, mowers, etc.) on an on-going basis.
- Able to work outdoors in all types of weather, including winter cold weather, and with potential allergens such as pollen, grass, insects, chemical pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers; as well as ability to work at heights using lifts and ladders up to 5 m.
Preference may be given to applicants with the following:
- Manual labour or outdoor working experience.
- Experience working with plants; (i.e. tree planter, gardener, landscaper, orchard worker, and cone picking), or equivalent training and experience.
For questions regarding this position, please contact Matthew.LaJeunesse@gov.bc.ca.
About this Position:
Thirty (30) positions available.
This is a temporary opportunity until August 28, 2026, and may be extended.
This position has full time on-site requirements.
An eligibility list may be established.
Employees of the BC Public Service must be located in BC at the time of employment.
Working for the BC Public Service:
The BC Public Service is committed to creating a diverse workplace to represent the population we serve and to better meet the needs of our citizens. Consider joining our team and being part of an innovative, inclusive and rewarding workplace.
We are committed to ensuring that reasonable accommodations are available throughout the hiring process, including the assessment and selection stages. Please email the individual or contact listed on the posting if you require an accommodation to fully participate in the hiring process.
The Indigenous Applicant Advisory Service is available to Indigenous (First Nations [status or non-status], Inuit or Métis) applicants originating from the land now known as Canada, seeking work or already employed in the BC Public Service. Indigenous applicants can contact this service for personalized guidance on the BC Public Service hiring process including job applications and interviews.
Vernon, in the Okanagan Valley, is surrounded by rolling grasslands with rocky outcrops and stands of ponderosa pine and Douglas fir, its three lakes and mountain views in every direction command attention. Famous champagne powder at Silver Star Mountain Resort attracts skiers, snowboarders, snowshoers and snowmobilers. In summer months, there are hiking and cycling trails to explore every area from the historic Grey Canal within the city to the nearby provincial parks.
How to Apply:
Your resume and/or cover letter must clearly show that you meet the education and experience requirements. Highlight the required qualifications and support them with specific examples, such as your responsibilities, projects you've worked on, or accomplishments. Find more information on the recruitment process, including helpful tips and videos about the application process, visit the Your Job Application page of MyHR.
Cover Letter: NO - Please do not submit a cover letter as it will not be reviewed.
Resume: YES - Ensure your resume includes your educational accomplishments, employment history including start and end dates (month and year) of your employment, and any relevant information that relates to the job to which you are applying.
Questionnaire: YES - You will need to complete a basic questionnaire to demonstrate how you meet the job requirements.
Applicants who are selected to move forward in the hiring process may be assessed on their knowledge, skills, abilities, competencies and other position related requirements as outlined in the Job Profile at the bottom of the posting. Applications will be accepted until 11:00 pm Pacific Time on the closing date of the competition. If you are experiencing technical difficulty applying, visit the Technical Assistance page of MyHR.
