laborer

instructor

building inspector

program instructor

camp counselor

City of Markham

The role of an arborist within the Markham Forestry Department presents a unique set of challenges, notably revolving around the disproportionate focus on winter operations over core arboriculture duties. Five weeks of on-call duty entail mundane tasks like snow shoveling, while two weeks of night shifts are allocated to seemingly unrelated chores such as building picnic benches or monitoring concrete temperatures. These untraditional arborist responsibilities can be disheartening for those eager to immerse themselves in tree care.

Despite the unconventional workload, the camaraderie among colleagues and working supervisors offers a silver lining. Interactions are pleasant, fostering a sense of unity within the team. However, this camaraderie may not suffice to offset the frustration stemming from the divergence from arboriculture-centric tasks.

While the benefits package is commendable, boasting attractive vacation time and a solid pension plan, getting a cost of living pay increase has yet to happen. Moreover, the rarity of overtime demands for arboriculture duties, while initially perceived as a positive, could hint at a lack of investment in core responsibilities, potentially hindering your ability to garner extra income. Arboriculture related overtime is given to contractors as it is deemed more cost efficient to employer.

In conclusion, the Markham Forestry Department's emphasis on winter operations at the expense of traditional arboriculture duties presents a significant obstacle to job satisfaction and professional fulfillment. While the supportive work environment and benefits package offer some respite, there remains a palpable sense of discontentment among arborists grappling with the disconnect between their passion and the department's priorities. Addressing these concerns is crucial to fostering a more fulfilling and aligned work experience for employees.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Contract is 7 months.  You receive good pay for what you do.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
The politics and bejng looked down on by so many full-timers

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Over all it is a decent work environment and culture, especially with most of the seasonal people.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
At the beginning of the shift you are given your work orders for the day.  The supervisor discusses with you the information you need to know,  and this is when you can converse back and forth about the work orders.   
You then go to your assigned piece of equipment, do circle checks, and grab what you need to do your job for the day.  
You are expected to work safely and at at safe pace. Must always be considerate to the public.  Call supervisor whenever you have a question or are uncertain about anything.  Take breaks and lunch on time.  Do your best to finish the job, if you can.  If not, it will get finished another day.  
Don't come back to the yard too early.  At end of day back at the shop, unload your equipment, get rid of any material waste you may have, fuel up your equipment, turn in your paperwork, discuss anything with your supervisor. Done day.

What is the best part of working at the company?
The staff and management are incredibly friendly and supportive, and truly feel like family.  The City has developed tons of resources and programs for children and youth, and I'm so glad to contribute my skills in music education to the community centre classes.  

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Need to be diplomatic and empathetic when working with children and their parents.  It's best to have experience in this area before becoming an instructor for the younger ages.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
I work at the community centre, which is always bustling with lots of activity.  It's a lively, vibrant place that is well maintained and has a small-town feel.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
I arrive about 15 min before my shift, prepare and set up, then move through different sessions of piano classes.  If I need assistance, the customer service staff are able to be jump in.  At the end of classes, I lock up and leave for the day.  The facilities staff take care of room set-up.

As a lifeguard, I would arrive 15 minutes early, ready myself in uniform with first-aid supplies and would go through 15 minute rotations (with a break of the same amount of time every hour) throughout my lifeguarding shift.  The pool and deck would then be cleared of ropes and toys, as well as closed and locked before all employees left.  Here, I first started developing lifeguarding and teaching skills, such as how to make lessons fun and safe, as well as proper patron surveillance and first-aid techniques.  The senior management was largely supportive and helpful, but the junior management and co-workers were not.  They would be largely critical and disrespectful, and would make any new employees such as myself feel as they did not belong and were terrible at their jobs.  This made the hardest part coming to and preparing for work, and the best part leaving it at the end of the day.

Working for the City of Markham has enable to develop multiple skills such as communications, working in a team environments, leadership skills, and ability to react in an effective manner in unforeseen circumstances. As a City of Markham employee we must at all times ensure the safety and concerns of all patrons that walk into any one of our facilities.  We must always be providing excellent customer service as well as upholding and maintaining a professional image.  Working at City of Markham facilities we are constantly asked to perform under pressure and fast pace environment which can create an enjoyable challenge.

Great working experience, along with a great working environment. As a lifeguard and swim instructor I would teach young students the proper techniques of swimming, and life saving skills. I also promoted safety through my lifeguarding shifts. The management and co-workers were extremely nice and cooperative, making the job a much more enjoyable one to work at. The most gratifying part of the job would be seeing the kids I taught enjoy the world of swimming, and the sense of pride they get when achieving their goals.

I worked outside of HQ at recycling depots.
Loved the job very much.
Worked directly with residents.
Mostly great interaction but sometimes people could be challenging.
Usually manager backed us up.
Manager was easy to talk to and laid back.
Really nice as well.
Worked in extreme temps sometimes difficult but always manageable.
Only issue was very low pay. 
No full time ever available. No benefits. No sick days.
Vacation pay was paid out every pay so no accrued vacation time.
Management good, job good.
Just really low pay



I went in to help a French teacher for a couple of days. I learned how to make proper day plans and how to manage my time properly. The French teacher taught me everything with how to mark tests, use photocopier, make booklets etc... The hardest part of the job was learning how to use new technologies but was soon overcome with practice. The best part of the volunteer experience was that I got experience with what I would like to do in the future.

Good place to get experience as a parks operator labourer. They will train you with no experience if you are willing to work and learn. However, growth is very limited. No year-round work available for most labourers. Also there are no benefits packages available for seasonal workers, regardless of how many years you have been there. Not the best place to support a long-term career. 

What is the best part of working at the company?
Great ppl, treated fairly with good training systems! Excellent communication from upper supervisors and safe working environment! 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Working in very poor weather conditions.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Relaxed, treated fairly with good standards!

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Varies everyday depending on what needs doing.

Top Job Titles	Average salary
Laborer 9 salaries reported	$30.19 per hour
Instructor 25 salaries reported	$25.45 per hour
Building inspector 1 salary reported	$106,396 per year
Program instructor 4 salaries reported	$20.50 per hour
Camp counselor 10 salaries reported	$18.78 per hour

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