General Information
Job Title: Landscape Maintenance Foreman / Lead hand
Department: Maintenance
Document History: March 2025
About Houston Landscapes
Houston Landscapes Ltd. is a leading landscape company in British Columbia, specializing in sustainable and high-quality landscape maintenance. Our team is dedicated to providing the best outdoor spaces for our clients while fostering a supportive and growth-focused work environment.
Overview
We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Landscape Maintenance Foreman / Lead Hand to manage daily maintenance operations while promoting a positive, engaged, and safety-minded crew. This role requires strong leadership skills, attention to detail, and a commitment to ensuring that projects are completed efficiently, on time, and to the highest quality standards.
While our primary season runs from March through November, we strive to offer year-round employment opportunities for our maintenance team members.
Basic Function
The Foreman is responsible for managing all on-site project duties in a safe and effective manner. This includes:
Managing the pace and workflow of maintenance crews.
Ensuring travel between sites is efficient.
Maintaining truck, trailer, and tool organization.
Overseeing onsite quality control and ensuring job sites are clean and safe.
Preparing all materials, tools, and PPE for each workday, including First Aid Supplies.
Managing timesheet input, receipt coding, and safety documentation.
Leading and maintaining a positive, engaged, and safety-conscious crew.
Key Responsibilities
- Leadership & Team Management
Lead and supervise a crew of maintenance staff on job sites.
Manage daily project tasks, ensuring workflow efficiency, crew productivity, and site quality.
Ensure all required materials, tools, and equipment are prepared in advance each day.
Actively coach and mentor team members to improve performance and skill development.
Address employee performance concerns directly and elevate issues to the Maintenance Manager as necessary.
Maintain a positive and engaged crew culture that aligns with Houston Landscapes’ core values.
- Lawn & Garden Maintenance
Oversee and participate in lawn mowing, trimming, edging, and aeration.
Manage pruning, hedge trimming, and shaping of trees and shrubs.
Ensure effective seasonal clean-ups, leaf removal, and site organization.
- Softscape & Horticulture Support
Direct the installation and maintenance of flowers, shrubs, and ground cover.
Apply fertilizers, compost, and soil conditioners as needed.
Identify and address common plant health issues and recommend solutions.
- Equipment & Tools Management
Operate and maintain mowers, trimmers, blowers, and hedge clippers safely.
Perform basic equipment maintenance, including blade sharpening and cleaning.
Oversee the proper loading and securing of equipment and materials on trucks and trailers.
- Safety & Compliance
Promote a strong safety culture by ensuring all team members adhere to WorkSafeBC guidelines.
Conduct on-site toolbox talks and ensure crew members understand and follow safety protocols.
Ensure proper documentation of safety inspections, incident reports, and first aid supplies.
Report any accidents, incidents, or near misses to the Leader of Safety and Culture.
- Communication
Forward or copy the Maintenance Manager and Senior Maintenance Foreman on all email correspondence.
Summarize verbal or text requests in an email for documentation purposes.
Provide updates on schedule changes, extra work requests, or potential delays.
Answer client questions and escalate issues beyond the contract scope to supervisors.
Upsell when appropriate or direct upsell opportunities to the Senior Maintenance Foreman.
Request administrative assistance from the office as needed.
- Administrative Duties
Code and submit all project receipts weekly.
Accurately track and submit daily labour records in project management software — no estimations.
- Meetings
Attend and actively participate in monthly Maintenance Meetings.
Lead daily plan discussions with the crew.
Conduct weekly on-site safety meetings (toolbox talks) and ensure truck & trailer inspections are completed.
- Production
Plan daily work schedules, including organizing travel routes and ensuring crews are equipped with necessary tools and materials.
Oversee daily admin tasks, ensuring efficient crew travel time.
Coordinate plant material orders with the Maintenance Manager or Lead Horticulturist.
Ensure equipment is properly maintained and serviced as needed.
Maintain vehicle cleanliness on a weekly basis.
Submit safety documentation, including site safety meetings and incident reports.
Ensure project quality is maintained to Houston Landscapes’ standards, keeping projects on time and within budget.
Report any warranty issues or repair needs to the Senior Maintenance Foreman or Maintenance Manager.
Proactively identify potential issues on sites such as drainage problems, irrigation concerns, or pest control issues and report them to supervisors.
Qualifications Education
High School diploma or equivalent experience.
Horticultural diploma and/or other trade-specific certification or training is a bonus.
Experience
Minimum 3 years’ experience in landscape maintenance.
Proven team leadership experience.
Ability to coach, mentor, and guide direct reports.
Ability to mediate employee conflicts and escalate issues when required.
Strong attention to detail and ability to uphold quality standards.
Demonstrated ability to contribute to system improvements.
General Requirements
Valid Driver’s License with the ability to travel between sites.
Truck and trailer driving experience is an asset.
Strong computer skills, including experience with Microsoft Office.
Compensation & Benefits
Hourly rate: $28–$36 per hour (based on experience).
Expense reimbursement for authorized work-related costs.
Group insurance benefits (health, dental, and more) after 12 weeks of service.
Vacation: 2 weeks (4% of salary).
Professional Development: Training and certification support.
Opportunities for advancement within Houston Landscapes.
Why Join Houston Landscapes?
Work with an experienced and supportive team.
Learn industry best practices in landscape maintenance.
Flexible scheduling and a company culture that values work-life balance.
Opportunities for career growth and specialization in Landscape Maintenance and leadership.
