Job Description

This is a Citywide Exam posting. Your application to this posting is an application to take a citywide exam.

If you pass the exam, you will be emailed your score and ranking on the eligible candidate list. When a department has an open position with this job classification they will use this eligible list to hire for that position. Departments will contact candidates from this list to gauge interest in their specific roles. Learn more about the City’s hiring process here:

Application Opening: Wednesday, November 5, 2025

Application Deadline: Apply Immediately . Application filing will be open at least through November 19, 2025 and will close any time thereafter.

Appointment Type: Class Based Test; Permanent Civil Service

Salary Range: $47.0625- $57.175/hour; $8,158.00 - $9,910.00/month; $97,890.00 - $118,924.00/year

Analyst Contact : For questions about this position or how to apply, please contact Ian Talley at ian.talley@sfgov.org

 

San Francisco is a vibrant and dynamic city on the forefront of economic growth and innovation, urban development, arts and entertainment, as well as social issues and change. This rich tapestry of culture and ideas is sustained by our City’s commitment to heighten the quality of life for San Franciscans and residents of the greater Bay Area. Our employees play an important role not only in making our City what it is today, but also in shaping the future of San Francisco. The City and County of San Francisco employs more than 28,000 individuals in various professional jobs in a diverse array of services such as maintaining City streets & parks, driving buses and cable cars, providing public health services, keeping the streets safe, and firefighting.

Job Description

Under direction, the Park Section Supervisor supervises gardeners and temporary staff and volunteers in the care and maintenance of grounds and natural areas, recreational and park facilities and other assigned landscapes and planted areas of City-owned property. The essential functions of the class include: supervising subordinates by planning and inspecting their work in planting, establishing landscape areas, potting, transplanting and propagation of trees, shrubs and other nursery stock; training staff and enforcing existing procedures and methods of operation; exercising independent judgment in the assignment of work; supervising, instructing and inspecting the work of subordinates; making public contact; preparing records and required reports; operating and tracking water use through a wide range of varied irrigation systems to meet performance targets; and performing related duties as required.

Working Conditions
The nature of the work may require considerable physical effort with occasional exposure to inclement weather conditions and may require exposure to hazardous conditions and/or materials which may include feces and/or urine, used syringes, etc. Some positions may require driving and/or riding mowers and driving small utility vehicles. Some positions may require weekend or shift work.

Essential Duties

The 3422 Park Section Supervisor’s essential duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Supervises the work of gardeners and others in the methods to maintain and care for parks, easements, center islands, other planted and landscaped areas, including irrigation, plant propagation, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), weed management, site cleanup, homeless encampment cleanup, sod installation, pruning, mowing and general horticultural maintenance;
• Researches and recommends the use of new products and equipment, orders plants and estimates the cost of jobs for landscapes, and for recreation facilities; selects plant stock and supplies, and fills orders for plant stock and supplies; uses a computerized work order system to initiate, track and close jobs; completes purchase orders and reviews subsequent invoices, as well as balances the related budget;
• Ensures safe work practices by directing staff to wear personal protective equipment, conducting accident investigations, and instructing on the proper use of tools, equipment and IPM; and provides information and training on employee and public safety related to structural repairs, tree hazards and other unsafe working conditions;
• Obtains, posts, and keeps track of permits required for program implementation by submitting requests to regulatory agencies; and reports on and posts public notices when using pesticides on City property;
• Plans and implements landscaping and planting projects, develops related maintenance standards, and maintains landscaped and planted areas, and other nursery stock; assesses the need for tree removal, replanting and reforestation; and performs landscaping tasks, such as pruning, irrigation inspection and maintenance, IPM, fertilizing and planting shrubs and trees.
• Communicates verbally and in writing with the public, as well as with community groups, volunteers, advisory committees, commissions, and other city departments; drafts memos and letters, and writes incident reports; prepares educational materials and makes presentations related to park maintenance and conservation; and acts as liaison among departments by attending meetings and representing the Department at special events and hearings, and committees;
• Performs or supervises approved maintenance and/or minor repairs to facilities and equipment;
• Tracks equipment that is sent out for repairs/maintenance;
• Conducts traffic control inspections;
• Operates a City vehicle to gain access to work or work-related sites among various areas; and
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

1. Three years of verifiable work experience in the care, construction or maintenance of landscaped areas by planting, weeding, fertilizing, irrigating, pruning, and controlling pests in the following areas: sports and athletic natural turf fields, golf courses, parks, ornamental gardens, arboreta, greenhouses, nurseries, botanical gardens and/or public landscaped areas and six (6) months of experience as a supervisor ; OR
2. Possession of a Certificate of Achievement from an accredited college or university in horticulture, landscaping, gardening, nursery and garden center operation, commercial cut flower and greenhouse production or related field and two (2) years of verifiable work experience in the care, construction or maintenance of landscaped areas by planting, weeding, fertilizing, irrigating, pruning, and controlling pests in the following areas: sports and athletic natural turf fields, golf courses, parks, ornamental gardens, arboreta, greenhouses, nurseries, botanical gardens and/or public landscaped areas; and six (6) months of experience as a supervisor ; OR
3. Possession of an Associate of Arts or Science degree from an accredited college or university in horticulture, landscaping, gardening, nursery and garden center operation, commercial cut flower and greenhouse production or related field and eighteen (18) months of verifiable work experience in the care, construction or maintenance of landscaped areas by planting, weeding, fertilizing, irrigating, pruning, and controlling pests in the following areas: sports and athletic natural turf fields, golf courses, parks, ornamental gardens, arboreta, greenhouses, nurseries, botanical gardens and/or public landscaped areas; and six (6) months of experience as a supervisor ; OR
4. Completion of the City and County of San Francisco’s gardener apprenticeship program (4,000 hours) and six (6) months of experience as a supervisor .

Substitution: Two (2) years of additional qualifying experience may substitute for the six (6) months supervisory experience.

AND

License and Certification: Requires possession of a valid California Class 'C' Driver's License.

 

Some positions may require an Agricultural Pest Control Advisor License: in the following pest control categories: (A) Insects, Mites and Other Invertebrates (Plant), (B) Plant Pathogens (C) Nematodes (D) Vertebrate Pests, (E) Weed Control; and (G) Plant Growth Regulators.

Some positions may require a Qualified Applicator Certificate in the following pest control categories: (A) Residential, Industrial, and Institutional, (B) Landscape Maintenance, (C) Right-of-Way, (E) Forest, and (F) Aquatic.

Verification of Education and Experience:  Every application is reviewed to ensure that you meet the minimum

qualifications

as listed in the job ad. Review SF Careers Employment Applications for considerations taken when reviewing applications.

Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. If education verification is required, information on how to verify education requirements, including verifying foreign education credits or degree equivalency, can be found at . 

Note: Falsifying one’s education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco.

 

Selection Procedures
After application submission, candidates deemed qualified must complete all subsequent steps to advance in this selection process, which includes the following:

Basic Supervisory Examination (Weight: 50%): Candidates will be administered a written multiple- choice examination that includes test items that relate to various supervisory practices and procedures (e.g., directing subordinates, delegating tasks to subordinates, providing customer service, demonstrating appropriate supervisory/leadership behavior, addressing and/or evaluating subordinate issues, behavior and performance, etc.) and well as reading comprehension items.

This is a standardized examination, and therefore, test questions and test answers are not available for public inspection or review. The score you achieve on this examination shall be valid and 'banked' for three years, starting from the date of the examination. This means that, during this three-year period, you will not be required to take this test again should you apply and be found eligible for a future announcement for which this particular test is used. Please note this test is used for other supervisory classes therefore your test score may be applied to one or more of these classes if you choose to apply to future recruitments. If the test for this future announcement is held within one year of the date of this examination, your score will be automatically applied to that announcement. However, after one year, you have the option to either (a) apply your test score to the other announcement or (b) re-take the test. Re-testing is permitted no sooner than one year from the date of the examination and only in association with your eligibility for another announcement for which this test is used.

Please note that, should you re-test, your re-test score would become your official score since it is the most recent.
A passing score must be achieved on the Basic Supervisory Exam to continue in the selection process.

Written Exam (Weight: 50%): Candidates who pass the Basic Supervisory Exam will be invited to take a written examination administered by the Recreation and Park Department which may assess knowledge of:

Knowledge of the horticultural practices of plant installation, replacement and protection techniques; and the maintenance of interior and exterior landscaped areas including trees, shrubs, ground covers, ornamental flowerbeds, turf and recreational areas. Knowledge of Integrated Pest Management practices and techniques. Knowledge of irrigation and water conservation management principles and techniques for established areas, plant installation, replacement and protection, turf management, and conservation practices. Knowledge of safety practices and regulations, including the exercise of proper precautionary measures relating to the use, storage and transport of materials and equipment in accordance with Material Safety, applicable sections of the San Francisco Administrative Code, and the department's operations manual. Knowledge and ability to plan and assess operational needs of an assigned park area; develop contingency plans; allocate equipment and supplies; and set and meet project deadlines.

A passing score must be achieved on the written test in order to be placed and ranked on the eligible list.

This is a standardized examination, and therefore, test questions and answers are not available for public inspection or review.

The score you achieve on this exam will be valid and “banked” for three (3) years, starting from the date of the examination. This means that, during this three-year time period, you will not be required to take this exam again should you apply and be found eligible for a future recruitment that uses this particular test. Please note this test may be used for other classifications; therefore, your test score may be applied to one or more classes if you choose to apply to future recruitments. If the test for a future announcement is held within one year of the date of this examination, your score will be automatically applied to that announcement. However, after one year, you have the option to either (a) apply your test score to the other announcement or (b) re-take the test. Re-testing is permitted no sooner than one year from the date of the examination and only in association with your eligibility for another announcement for which this test is used. Please note that should you re-test, your new score would become your official score since it is the most recent.

Applicant scores on this examination may also be applied to other announcements involving other job titles, when directed by the Human Resources Director.

Eligible List/Score Report: A confidential eligible list of applicant names that have passed the civil service examination process will be created and used for certification purposes only. An examination score report will be established, so applicants can view the ranks, final scores and number of eligible candidates. Applicant information, including names of applicants on the eligible list, shall not be made public unless required by law. However, an eligible list shall be made available for public inspection, upon request, once the eligible list is exhausted or expired and referrals are resolved. The eligible list/score report resulting from this civil service examination process is subject to change after adoption (e.g., as a result of appeals), as directed by the Human Resources Director or the Civil Service Commission.

Eligible List Duration: The duration of the eligible list resulting from this examination process will be of twelve (12) months and may be extended with the approval of the Human Resources Director.

Certification Rule: The certification rule for the eligible list resulting from this examination will be Rule of Five Scores . Additional selection processes may be conducted by the hiring department prior to making final hiring decisions.

Exam Type: Combined Promotive and Entrance

To find Departments which use this classification, please see Position Counts by Job Codes and Departments

Additional Information

Terms of Announcement and Appeal Rights: Applicants must be guided solely by the provisions of this announcement, including requirements, time periods and other particulars, except when superseded by federal, state or local laws, rules or regulations. [Note: The correction of clerical errors in an announcement may be posted on the Department of Human Resources website at .]

The terms of this announcement may be appealed under Civil Service Rule

110.4. Such appeals must be submitted in writing to the Department of Human Resources, 1 S Van Ness Avenue, 4th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94103-5413 by close of business on the 5th business day following the issuance date of this examination announcement. Information concerning other Civil Service Commission Rules involving announcements, applications and examination policies, including applicant appeal rights, can be found on the Civil Service Commission website at service-commission.

Drug Test Requirement: Applicants for positions in this classification who are not currently employed by the City and County of San Francisco in a safety-sensitive position represented by Local 261 are required to pass pre-employment drug (including marijuana) and alcohol testing upon reasonable suspicion or after-work related accident. Applicants with positive result from pre-employment drug test will be restricted from hire in safety-sensitive positions for six months after the date of the positive test.

Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Security Clearance: Candidates for employment with the San Francisco Airport Commission are required to undergo a criminal history record check, including FBI fingerprints, and Security Threat Assessment in order to determine eligibility for security clearance and may be required to undergo drug/alcohol screening. Per Civil Service Commission Rule Section 110.9.1, every applicant for an examination must possess and maintain the

qualifications

required by law and by the examination announcement for the examination. Failure to obtain and maintain security clearance may be basis for termination from employment with the Airport Commission.

Customs Clearance: This position requires that the incumbent is qualified for unescorted access to the San Francisco International Airport U.S. Customs Security Area. An application for a U.S. Custom Access Seal may be submitted to Customs ONLY after employment has commenced. Employment in this position requires that the incumbent submit an application for, successfully acquire and maintain a Customs Access Seal. Per Civil Service Commission Rule110.9.1, every applicant must possess and maintain the

qualifications

required by law and by the examination announcement for this examination. Failure to acquire or maintain customs access, a requirement for this position, may be basis for termination from employment with the Airport Commission. Customs Access Seal requirements and procedures are located in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 19, Part 122, Sections 181 or 189.

TWIC Card: Candidates for employment with the San Francisco Port Commission are required to be qualified for unescorted access to the Port's Maritime Transportation System (MTS). An application for a TWIC card may be submitted after employment has commenced. Employment in this position requires that the incumbent undergo a criminal history check, immigration check and terrorist threat assessment, including FBI fingerprints, in order to determine eligibility for security clearance. The incumbent must submit an application for, successfully acquire and maintain a TWIC card. Per Civil Service Rule 110.9.1, every applicant must possess and maintain the

qualifications

required by law and by the announcement for this examination. Failure to acquire or maintain a TWIC card, a requirement for this position, may be basis for termination from employment with the Port Commission. Note: TWIC requirements and procedures are located in the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, 49 U.S.C. 114, 40113, and 49 U.S.C. 5103a.

Additional Information

Regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco:

• Diversity Statemen t 

 

Where to Apply:  All job applications for the City and County of San Francisco must be submitted through our online portal. Please visit to begin your application process.

Computers are available for the public (9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday) to file online applications in the lobby of the Dept. of Human Resources at 1 South Van Ness Avenue, 4th Floor and at the City Career Center at City Hall , 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 110. 

Ensure your application information is accurate, as changes may not be possible after submission. Your first and last name must match your legal ID for verification, and preferred names can be included in parentheses. Use your personal email address, not a shared or work email, to avoid unfixable issues. 

Applicants will receive a confirmation email from notification@smartrecruiters.com that their online application has been received in response to every announcement for which they file. Applicants should retain this confirmation email for their records. Failure to receive this email means that the online application was not submitted or received.  

If you have any questions, you may contact Exam Analyst, Ian Talley, at ian.talley@sfgov.org . Recruitment ID: X00106

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.

Job Tags

Permanent employment, Full time, Temporary work, Apprenticeship, Work experience placement, Local area, Immediate start, Monday to Friday, Shift work,

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