GARDENER -II

Applications are available online beginning Monday, December 22, 2025, through 11:59 pm, Monday, January 5, 2026.

Grade I – $19.351 - $26.408 hourly.

Grade II – $21.035 - $28.703 hourly.

Under general supervision, independently or as a member of a crew, performs or evaluates contractor performance for skilled gardening work; prepares soil and performs cultivation work; grades, plants and reseeds lawns; mows lawns using triplex and/or rotary riding type mowers and walk-type mowers; edges and waters lawns; adjusts and makes minor repairs to sprinkler systems; programs irrigation system using central software;

prunes shrubs and trees; transplants flowers, shrubs and/or trees; leads the work of helpers performing gardening and grounds maintenance work; operates trucks and light power equipment; services and makes minor repairs to tools and equipment; observes and enforces safety regulation; orders materials and supplies, keeps time and other records; may be required to apply chemicals for weed and pest control and performs other related duties as required.

Applicants must meet one of the following requirements:

• Option A:
  Two years of paid full‑time equivalent experience in gardening and grounds maintenance work and knowledge of the care and maintenance of flowers, shrubs, plants, trees, lawns, and/or athletic fields.
• Option B:
  Education equivalent to two years of training at an accredited college or university with major coursework in Horticulture or related fields (proof of coursework and/or transcript required at time of filing).
• Option C:
  Combination of paid full‑time equivalent experience and education totaling two years (proof of degree and/or transcript required at time of filing). Proof of required documents, such as degree or transcripts, must be uploaded to the online application at the time of filing. Degrees must indicate the field of study and transcripts must indicate a field of study and degree conferred date.
  
  Candidates who possess degrees from colleges or universities outside the United States must attach proof of educational equivalence at the time of filing.

• Knowledge of pesticide use and safety, irrigation systems, and drought‑tolerant plant materials.
• Ability to:
  • Assess, document and troubleshoot issues within the complete irrigation system;
  • Communicate effectively verbally and in writing;
  • Work independently;
  • Drive City vehicles;
  • Utilize electronic work order system;
  • Utilize standard horticultural equipment;
  • Lift and carry up to 50 pounds;
  • Work in or near streets with heavy traffic.
• Willingness to work overtime, weekend and/or holiday hours.
• A valid driver's license must be submitted to the hiring department at the time of the selection.

Experience working with contractors on landscape and grounds maintenance projects; knowledge of bioswale and wetland management is desired for some positions in the Harbor Department;
State of California Department of Agriculture Qualified Pesticide Applicator Certificate, Horticulture Certificate, Arboriculture Certificate; valid Class A or B motor vehicle operator's license; and knowledge of CALTRANS standards for setting up traffic control devices are desired for some positions.

Application and Supplemental Application......................................................Qualifying

Written Exam…………………........................................................................................100%

A minimum rating of 70 must be attained in order to pass the examination. Certification by score bands will be considered based on analysis of exam results. The resulting eligible list will remain in effect for at least one year. Screening of applicants will be conducted on the basis of application and required supplemental application submitted. Only those candidates showing the strongest backgrounds on the basis of comparative analysis will be invited to the examination process.

Based on the number of applications accepted, the selection procedure may be changed. In the event a revision is necessary, the affected persons will be notified.

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