NR1 Horticulture Instructor: Landscape Machinery

CONTRACT INSTRUCTOR

POSITION TYPE: NR1

POSITION START: September 2026

FACULTY OVERVIEW:

As Canada’s only polytechnic university, Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) is the fourth largest university in the province of British Columbia and serves communities in the South Fraser region and beyond. A Leader in innovative education with a teaching-focused mandate, KPU offers all learners opportunities to achieve the highest standards of academic performance.

Within KPU, the Faculty of Science has over 1,500 full-time students and over 200 faculty members and instructors from across the natural and applied sciences. Faculty of Science includes nine departments and over 30 programs at the undergraduate level, with offerings at all four KPU campuses. The faculty is also home to Canada Research Chair: Dr. Paul Adams.

The Faculty of Science offers experiential learning through hands-on curriculum and co-ops and research collaboration opportunities with KPU’s Institute for Sustainable Horticulture (ISH), Institute of Sustainable Food Systems (ISFS), and Applied Genomics Center (AGC). As well, our faculty is home to over a hectare of horticulture field lab and working farm and a state-of-the art brewery, which has been recognized internationally and locally, winning BC Brewery of the Year in 2019.

For more information about the Faculty of Science, please visit our https://www.kpu.ca/science.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The School of Horticulture invites applications for Part-Time Non-Regular Type 1 Contract Instructor(s) to teach HORT 1118 Basic Machinery Operation and Maintenance and HORT 2432 Grounds Machinery Maintenance, at the KPU Langley campus. HORT 1118 is offered in the Fall and Spring semesters with additional classes added depending on demand. HORT 2432 is offered based on demand. Additional courses may include: AHHA 1001 Equipment and Safety and AHHA 1026 Machinery and Equipment.

The following is a brief description of the specific courses and supplementary qualifications:

HORT 1118 Basic Machinery Operation and Maintenance

Students will be introduced to horticulture machinery. They will perform preventative maintenance. Students will safely demonstrate machinery operations. Students will complete a Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) Certificate. Course Learning Outcomes:

1. Describe the function and working principles of horticulture machinery
2. Perform machinery operation and preventative maintenance
3. Use appropriate safety systems and apparel
4. Use basic hand tools in machinery preventative maintenance
5. Describe machinery storage procedures
6. Evaluate machinery specifications for specific horticultural tasks
7. Recognize alternative power sources
8. Apply the Workers' Compensation Act in the workplace
9. Recognize environmental issues caused by horticulture machinery
10. Complete a WHMIS Certificate

HORT 2432 Grounds Machinery Maintenance

Students will perform maintenance on turfgrass machinery used on a golf course or in parks facilities. They will repair and maintain machinery used for turf cultivation, renovation, mowing, spraying, and other types of grounds maintenance. Students will design a layout plan for a mechanics shop and storage facility following environmental and safety guidelines.

AHHA 1001 Equipment and Safety

A Landscape Horticulturist has a working knowledge of a variety of equipment and safety related functions. They will use motorized equipment and personal protective equipment and safety related equipment. Apprentices will demonstrate proper selection and use of personal protection equipment. They will describe the procedure for using a fire extinguisher and identify jurisdictional regulations, including WHMIS and WBC Regulations. Apprentices will identify basic engine types, and be able to perform pre-start inspections, and perform equipment maintenance and repairs.

AHHA 1026 Machinery and Equipment

A Landscape Horticulturist has a working knowledge of a variety of equipment and safety related functions. They will use motorized equipment and personal protective equipment and safety related equipment. Apprentices will demonstrate power tool maintenance and storage. They will identify basic vehicle systems and components. They will inspect vehicles and equipment and operate motorized vehicles.

Applicants interested in applying to teach can find further information on the School of Horticulture by visiting our website at https://www.kpu.ca/hort.

More information concerning the working conditions for a faculty member are outlined in Article 12 of the Kwantlen Faculty Association (KFA) Collective Agreement.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum qualifications for this position include at least five years of relevant industry experience in the use and maintenance of landscape and turf equipment and machinery. Preference will be given to candidates who hold a Landscape Horticulturist Red Seal, another recognized industry certification, and an appropriate bachelor’s degree. Teaching experience is considered an asset. The successful candidate will be expected to organize field trips that provide students with opportunities to observe and learn from professionally maintained sites.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Candidates are asked to submit:

• Current resume
• CV Cover letter highlighting key qualifications and teaching approach

Please combine required documents into one single file to upload.

*SALARY INFORMATION:

Placement on the salary scale will be dependent on level of education and relevant teaching experience. Advancement up the pay scale is based on FTE and employment status.

When possible, priority will be given to the candidate(s) who can maximize the FTE either individually, or collectively, as such please indicate on your application your preferred workload percentage. This competition could also be used to add candidates to our Qualified Faculty List, therefore also please indicate on your application if you are interested in being added to this list.