Relief Recreation Employee (2 Positions)

The Town of Fort Erie is a diverse and welcoming community.  Come join our team of dedicated, professional and committed co-workers and put your mark on something that is exciting and rewarding.  We are recruiting people who share our values of teamwork, respect, honesty and commitment.  Our mission is to lead and serve Fort Erie by pursuing opportunities, leveraging partnerships and managing our resources to achieve prosperity.

As a Relief Recreation Employee, you will operate equipment, use tools and perform physical labour to support the operation and maintenance of facilities, arenas, and parks on an as-needed basis.

The ideal candidate will have an OSSD or equivalent and a valid drivers’ license, with a driving record acceptable to the Corporation. They will have general knowledge of groundskeeping methods and equipment, refrigeration/artificial ice maintenance and housekeeping/custodial methods and equipment. The ideal candidate will have technical knowledge in safe work practices and the ability to operate a variety of hand tools, grounds keeping, custodial and construction equipment. They will also have strong communication skills and they will understand the importance of teamwork.

As this is a relief position, hours will vary and are not guaranteed. Hours may include weekdays, weekends, holidays and shift work, which can be scheduled on short notice. The starting hourly rate for this union position is $30.47 plus 4% vacation pay. 

The successful candidate is entitled to enroll in the Ontario Municipal Employee Retirement System (OMERS) pension plan.

If you are looking for an opportunity to learn and grow and promote positive change in a friendly, safe environment, we’d love to hear from you!

Fort Erie: A Community for Everyone

The deadline for receiving application is 12:00 Noon, on Friday, October 23, 2026. For more information and to apply for this position please visit www.forterie.ca. 

We will contact candidates selected for an interview. The evaluation process may include a practical assessment, background and criminal record check. Personal information is collected under the Municipal Act, 2001 to determine employment suitability. The Town of Fort Erie is an equal opportunity employer. Accommodation is available to candidates upon request.

Department:           Infrastructure Services

Division:                 Recreation and Facilities Division

Reports to:            Supervisor of Recreation, Arenas, and Facilities

Position Objective

To support the operation and maintenance of facilities, arenas and parks.

Duties & Responsibilities (Duties and responsibilities may vary by season) 

Parks, Open Spaces and Town Properties

• Maintain and repair parks, open spaces, beaches, sport fields and related installations, including grass cutting, planting and washroom maintenance and inspections
• Safely operate various mowers, trimmers, small trucks and tractors
• Inspect/maintain/repair park furniture/playground equipment
• Complete logs/reports as required

Facilities

• Ensure efficient plant operations by performing maintenance and repair to facilities, properties and equipment
• Keep entrances/exits/walkways clear of snow and ice
• Respond proactively to customer service issues
• Perform special event/rental preparation, set-up and tear down
• Perform minor mechanical and electrical repairs

Arenas

• Flood and maintain ice using ice-resurfacing vehicle and equipment
• Monitor refrigeration plant regularly
• Minor repairs to ice maintenance equipment
• Ensure exceptional cleanliness and safety 

Education & Experience

• Education (Knowledge) - OSSD or equivalent
• Experience & Training - Over one year, up to and including two years (to learn parks work and operation of the Zamboni)
• First Aid and CPR/Public Access Defibrillation an asset
• Valid Ontario drivers’ license with a driving record acceptable to the Corporation

Knowledge

• General knowledge of office procedures, Microsoft Office, HCL Notes, email and protocols
• General knowledge of grounds keeping methods and equipment
• General knowledge of refrigeration/artificial ice maintenance
• General knowledge of housekeeping/custodial methods and equipment
• General knowledge of construction practices and equipment
• General knowledge of building mechanical systems, including heating, ventilation, air conditioning and associated equipment
• General knowledge of electrical systems
• General knowledge of monitoring sensor and fire alarm systems and equipment
• General knowledge of the Occupational Health & Safety Act

Skills & Ability

• Plans, organizes and schedules work independently with energy and enthusiasm
• Displays self-motivation and a positive outlook
• Good communication skills in dealing with the public
• Works co-operatively with internal customers and external service providers
• Displays a keen interest in developing technical knowledge and skills
• Receptive to direction
• Suggests improvements
• Anticipates obstacles to successful completion of assignments
• Understands the importance of teamwork
• Responds promptly to customers requests
• Communicates in a logical and organized manner
• Operates a variety of hand tools, grounds keeping, custodial and construction equipment

Supervision of Others 

Periodically performs some direction of others (Students )

Work Demands

• Initiative & Judgement – Assignments are covered by establish methods and procedures or standards, however some judgement is required in adapting these guidelines to get the desired end result. The exercise of judgement is a normal requirement but is restrained by methods, procedures and/or standards. Supervisor is available to provide guidance. (Assignments are given on a task by task basis; work is performed on own responsibility after assignment)
• Mental Effort – Regular effort (approximately 50% of the time). Concentration required with multiple demands. Visual and/or listening attention with some choice of action to seek relief
• Physical Effort – Frequent effort (approximately 75% of the time). Activities such as keyboarding, driving, standing, stooping, crouching, climbing, kneeling, lifting, pushing/puling awkward objects.
• Dexterity – Coordination of coarse and fine movements, where speed is a moderate consideration. (Hand tools, equipment controls, mops/brooms, some equipment maintenance, repairs while event is in progress)
• Accountability – Incorrect or inappropriate decisions or actions have obvious effects, financial implications and cause some embarrassment to the Municipality. Adverse public relations, reduced service to the public and requires senior staff to deal with repercussions
• Safety of Others - Considerable degree of care required to prevent injury or harm to others (Operation of mowers and ice resurfacer)
• Interpersonal Skills – Deal with or settle requests, complaints or clarification of information
• Disagreeable Conditions – Major conditions of frequent exposure (Cleaning toilets, vomit, blood, potential exposure to infectious disease, dust/dirt, extremes of heat/cold, noise, fumes, rudeness, equipment vibration)
• Shift work, including Saturdays, Sundays and holidays as required