Today, Mayor John Tory announced the City of Toronto’s annual hiring campaign for spring and summer parks and recreation jobs. The City is preparing for the warmer days ahead and fun activities like aquatics and programs like CampTO by hiring spring and summer parks and recreation workers.
The Mayor was joined by Deputy Mayor Michael Thompson (Scarborough Centre), Chair of the Economic and Community Development Committee, and Councillor Jennifer McKelvie (Scarborough-Rouge Park), Chair of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee.
Each year, as Toronto’s largest recreation program provider, the City of Toronto employs approximately 9,000 recreation workers, 5,000 of which during the summer season to support community recreation programs. Additionally, more than 900 seasonal gardeners and parks handy-workers are hired each year.
The City is looking for a wide range of skilled applicants from lifeguards and fitness instructors to outdoor gardeners and parks handy-workers and is accepting job applications online at https://jobs.toronto.ca/.
In addition, the City is regularly hosting virtual job information sessions for recreation positions. Two information sessions for spring and summer jobs will take place on Saturday, February 26 with further sessions scheduled throughout March and April. Registration details can be found on the City’s website.
Staffing for City programs and operations will align with provincial regulations and Toronto Public Health guidelines.
Presently, some indoor recreation services such as sport and fitness activities are available at full capacity with proof of vaccination required and other public health requirements in place. Other non-sport or fitness indoor actives that don’t require proof of vaccination, are available providing physical distancing of two metres can be maintained and subject to capacity restrictions of 50 per cent.
The City is prepared to update guidelines for recreation programming as the Province of Ontario gradually reopens, with the next step in reopening scheduled to take place on March 1, 2022. The latest information about what is and is not permitted in Toronto under provincial regulations is available on the City’s COVID-19: Guide for Toronto Residents webpage. For up-to-date information about impacted City services, residents are encouraged to visit the City’s website.
Quotes:
“Our parks and public spaces have been an important outlet for residents throughout the pandemic. While we kept all of our public spaces open, we also adapted as a city and created new programs that put the health and safety of residents and staff first. This year the same will be done and we will be launching new jobs for residents to apply to so that we can continue to deliver our services. These recreation jobs are not only excellent jobs for those employed, but they are important for all Toronto residents accessing our services. I am proud we offer these impactful employment opportunities to youth and people of all ages in neighbourhoods across Toronto.”
– Mayor John Tory
“Strong, skillful staffing is needed to implement and maintain our highly popular summer recreation programs. Despite the challenges brought by COVID-19, we have successfully adapted our programs to accommodate demanding pandemic restrictions, and we will continue to do so throughout our summer recruitment campaign this year.”
– Deputy Mayor Michael Thompson (Scarborough Centre), Chair of the Economic and Community Development Committee
“Toronto’s more than 1,500 parks and green spaces are vital for our urban environment. Our annual hiring outreach for seasonal gardeners and parks handy-workers ensures these spaces are maintained as safe and enjoyable destinations in our communities.
– Councillor Jennifer McKelvie (Scarborough-Rouge Park), Chair of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee
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