According to a study* cited in the Harvard Business Review, an employee’s supervisor plays a significant role in employee dissatisfaction, second only to company policy and administration. Employees were asked what factors contributed to extreme dissatisfaction in their role, and supervisors and their relationship with their supervisor came second and third on the list. At Fallingwater, we make a point to seek out positive leaders that align with our company values and treat those working under them as team members, not employees. Encouragement, respect and smiles are a daily part of everyone’s work at Fallingwater.

* One More Time: How Do You Motivate Employees? by Frederick Herzberg

While there are many important traits to being a positive leader, the ones we will ask you about are:

• Positive mindset

• Ethical behaviour

• Trustworthiness

• Supporting others

• Empowering others

• Emotional stability

The Red Seal Program, formally known as the Interprovincial Standards Red Seal Program, is a program that sets common standards to assess the skills of tradespeople across Canada. Industry is heavily involved in developing the national standard for each trade. It is a partnership between the federal government and provinces and territories that are responsible for apprenticeship training and trade certification in their jurisdictions.

Tradespersons who have successfully passed the Red Seal examination receive a Red Seal endorsement on their provincial/territorial trade certificate, which indicates that they have the knowledge required for the national standard in that trade. The Red Seal endorsement promotes excellence to employers, instills pride in skilled workers, and facilitates labour mobility.

Landscape horticulturists identify, propagate, cultivate, grow and maintain plants, and manage injured and diseased trees and plants. They create and modify landscapes by measuring, designing and interpreting plans. They construct and maintain gardens, parks, golf courses and other landscape environments, including the installation and maintenance of hard landscape elements such as retaining walls, patios, walkways and water features. In addition, they advise clients on issues related to horticulture and landscape construction.

Landscape horticulturists are employed by landscape designers, architects and contractors, lawn service and tree care establishments, recreation facilities, golf courses, parks, nurseries, greenhouses, and municipal, provincial and federal governments. They may also be self-employed.

Yes! Fallingwater is able to sponsor you as well as sign off on all apprenticeship hours required to complete your Red Seal apprenticeship.

• Excellent organization skills

• Being able to anticipate the needs of others

• Getting enjoyment from working with your hands

• Strength in relationship building

• A positive leadership style

• You love to learn!

Education and continuous learning are very important to us as a company. Horticulture has endless depths to explore, which makes for a very interesting profession. We have seen the investment in our staff’s education pay off in continued excitement in their role and improved confidence as their range of understanding expands. Because education is so important to us, all raises are tied to successful completion of the Red Seal program and other course options available to you after that. Your first raise comes when you sign up and start the Horticulture level 1 course through HCP.

Yes! Both Level 1 and 2 of the Red Seal program can be completed while working. It may be challenging to manage both at times, but our staff firmly believe it’s worth it.

Currently, Level 3 and 4 are offered as full-time, 6-week programs held during the slower winter season. We are advocating that the Horticulture College change these to part time programs.

Absolutely, Fallingwater has work to do year-round! With the exception of days that are unsafe to be on the road due to winter weather conditions, we are continually visiting our properties to prep them for the busy spring season ahead.

Hours do drop slightly during the winter months but we have been making improvements each year to ensure our staff are comfortable financially through these months. The winter plan is always communicated early.

This is a physical job that requires some level of strength and agility, whether it comes naturally or you work at staying in good condition. If you’re coming from a less physical job you can expect between 4-6 weeks for your body to adapt to the new work environment. An average level of fitness is enough to thrive on one of our maintenance teams.

The top five responsibilities you’ll have as a landscape supervisor at Fallingwater are:

• Building strong working relationships with the clients you serve

• Developing and executing a maintenance plan that keeps your portfolio of properties meeting our high standards

• Leading 1-2 staff members to safely complete work on our clients’ properties

• Driving the truck and trailer to-and-from work sites

• Completing and submitting paperwork to Fallingwater’s maintenance and education manager (Paul) and office manager (Michelle)

You will get regular, personalized attention from Paul, our maintenance and education manager. He is a working manager who will be in the field teaching you the skills and knowledge required to succeed on the job. You will also be working with other supervisors 1-2 days each week and may have other supervisors working under you as well. Our supervisor team is very supportive of each other’s growth.

Fallingwater provides T-shirts, sweaters, hats, and hearing and eye protection. You will be responsible for equipping yourself with steel toed boots ($100 credit provided), work pants, gloves and outer shell raingear.

If you don’t have the required leadership experience to move directly into a supervisory role there are still opportunities to move up by going through school while working at Fallingwater. Leadership traits can be developed. We have promoted several people to supervisor that started in an entry level role.