Orchard Field Worker

Grandmother’s Greenhouse 

Location: Native Plant Orchard, Fort St John

Employment Type: Full-Time, Seasonal ContractContract Length: 6–8 weeks

About the Role

Grandmother’s Greenhouse is seeking an Orchard Field Worker to join our Native Plant Orchard team on a 6–8 week full-time seasonal contract.

The Orchard Field Worker is a hands-on field position supporting the day-to-day care, maintenance, and operation of the Native Plant Orchard. Working alongside the Orchard Crew Leads and Orchard Manager, this role will assist with weed management, irrigation, plant care, harvesting, equipment maintenance, site upkeep, and other seasonal orchard activities.

This is an active outdoor position suited to someone who enjoys working with plants, working outdoors, being part of a team, and contributing to land stewardship and ecological restoration.

Key Responsibilities

Orchard & Plant Care
  • Assist with planting and establishment of native trees, shrubs, grasses, and forbs.
  • Perform hand weeding, mulching, mowing, and other vegetation management activities.
  • Assist with pruning, staking, watering, and general plant care.
  • Monitor plants and report concerns such as plant stress, pests, disease, or damage.
  • Follow daily work assignments and priorities provided by the Orchard Crew Leads.
Irrigation & Water Management
  • Assist with installing, operating, monitoring, and maintaining irrigation systems.
  • Work with hoses, pumps, drip lines, water tanks, and related equipment.
  • Check irrigation systems for leaks, blockages, or other issues.
  • Support watering activities based on weather conditions and plant requirements.
Harvest & Field Operations
  • Assist with harvesting native seeds, cuttings, and other plant materials.
  • Prepare, organize, and transport harvested materials.
  • Support site preparation, planting, material handling, and inventory activities.
  • Assist with cleaning, sorting, and organizing harvested materials and work areas.
Equipment & Site Maintenance
  • Safely use and care for hand tools, orchard equipment, and small machinery.
  • Assist with routine cleaning and basic maintenance of tools and equipment.
  • Report damaged or malfunctioning equipment.
  • Help maintain clean, organized, and safe Orchard work areas.
  • Assist with general groundskeeping and maintenance of Orchard infrastructure.
Teamwork & Workplace Expectations
  • Work cooperatively with Crew Leads and other Orchard staff to complete daily priorities.
  • Follow established procedures and direction from Crew Leads and the Orchard Manager.
  • Contribute to a respectful, professional, and positive workplace.
  • Communicate safety concerns, equipment issues, and work-related challenges promptly.
  • Work respectfully alongside BRFN members, other First Nations employees, and non-Indigenous staff.
  • Maintain a professional standard of conduct and remain fit for duty while working.

Qualifications & Assets

  • Previous experience in agriculture, horticulture, landscaping, forestry, ecological restoration, or outdoor field work is an asset.
  • Experience working with native plants or plant materials is an asset.
  • Experience with irrigation systems and pumps is an asset.
  • Experience operating and maintaining small equipment is an asset.
  • Basic mechanical aptitude is an asset.
  • Valid Class 5 Driver’s Licence is an asset.
  • ATV/UTV, skid steer, trailer towing, or other equipment certifications are assets.
  • A strong work ethic, willingness to learn, reliability, and a positive attitude are highly valued.

Skills & Abilities

  • Ability to perform physically demanding outdoor work.
  • Ability to lift and carry up to 25 kg (55 lbs).
  • Comfortable working in varying weather conditions.
  • Ability to walk, stand, bend, kneel, lift, and perform repetitive physical tasks.
  • Ability to follow instructions and established procedures.
  • Strong attention to detail.
  • Ability to work independently when assigned tasks and collaboratively as part of a team.
  • Reliable and dependable approach to attendance and daily responsibilities.
  • Interest in native plants, land stewardship, and ecological restoration.

Working Conditions

  • Primarily outdoor work in varying weather conditions, including heat, rain, wind, and insects.
  • Frequent walking on uneven terrain, bending, kneeling, lifting, and repetitive physical tasks.
  • Regular use of hand tools, irrigation equipment, and small machinery.
  • Extended physical activity during busy maintenance and harvest periods.
  • 6–8 week full-time seasonal contract, with the exact start and end dates based on operational requirements.

Why Join Grandmother’s Greenhouse?

Grandmother’s Greenhouse is a Nation-led native seed and plant supply chain owned by Blueberry River First Nations. Our work supports ecological restoration and land stewardship throughout Treaty 8 territory.

This short-term position provides an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in native plant production, Orchard operations, ecological restoration, and land stewardship while contributing to an important Nation-led initiative.

Compensation & Benefits

  • $30.00 per hour
  • 6% vacation accrual
  • Full-time, 6–8 week seasonal contract
  • Hands-on training and opportunities to develop Orchard and native plant production skills
  • Indigenous candidates may be eligible for tax exemptions in accordance with TD1-IN legislation

How to Apply

Interested candidates are encouraged to submit a resume outlining their experience and qualifications to careers@asokwa.ca