The San Francisco Recreation & Park Department and the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission/ Natural Resources and Lands Management Division are now accepting applications for 3410 Apprentice Gardener for Fall 2026. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply immediately.
The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission/ Natural Resources and Lands Management Division will be participating in the upcoming recruitment in conjunction with the Recreation & Parks. Locations for PUC Gardener Apprenticeship employment will be at the Crystal Springs Watershed or the Lake Merced Facility.
Applicants should note this is a joint recruitment and candidates may be selected for employment with either the San Francisco Recreation & Park Department or the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission/ Natural Resources and Lands Management Division depending on departmental hiring needs. Applicants selected through this recruitment will be placed with either department based on operational need and may not select placement location.
Application Requirements and Timeline
ALL APPLICANTS MUST SUBMIT VERIFICATION OF MEETING THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS.
In addition to submitting an online application, applicants must submit verification documents. Specific instructions can be found under the 'ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - HOW TO APPLY' section of this job announcement. ONLY applicants who submit both an online application and all requested verification will be considered for participation in the department's selection process.
Application Opening: April 29, 2026
Application Deadline: May 7, 2026 at 5:00 pm
Verification Deadline: May 11, 2026 at 5:00 pm
Compensation: $27.5875 Hourly
Appointment Type: Permanent-Exempt (PEX) Appointment. Pursuant to the City & County of San Francisco Charter, Section 10.104.13. Any person occupying a position under exempt appointment shall not be subject to civil service selection, appointment, and removal procedures. Exempt employees shall serve at the pleasure of the appointing officer.
About the San Francisco Recreation & Park Department
Amid a dynamic and ever-evolving urban landscape, the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department (https://sfrecpark.org/384/EXPLORE-OUR-PARKS) stewards one of the premier urban park systems in America. In 2017, San Francisco became the first city in the nation where all residents have access to a park within a 10-minute walk, a direct result of the Department's commitment to increasing and improving parkland in the city Learn More (https://sfrecpark.org/419/Who-We-Are) . Considered by San Franciscans to be one of the City's most popular and effective public agencies, our Department currently manages more than 230 parks, playgrounds and open spaces throughout San Francisco, including two outside city limits-Sharp Park in Pacifica and Camp Mather in the High Sierras. The system includes full-complex recreation centers, swimming pools, golf courses, sports fields and numerous small-to-medium-sized clubhouses that offer a variety of sports- and arts-related recreation programs for people of all ages. Included in the Department's responsibilities are Golden Gate Park, Coit Tower, the Marina Yacht Harbor, the San Francisco Zoo and Lake Merced.
About the Natural Resources and Lands Management Division
The Natural Resources and Lands Management (NRLM) Division within the Water Enterprise of the SFPUC is responsible for the management of approximately 61,000 acres of Bay Area watershed lands under SFPUC ownership as well as 150 miles of utility right-of-way. NRLM Division is responsible for managing, protecting, restoring, and monitoring the ecological resources on these lands and environmental compliance for the operations and maintenance of the Hetch Hetchy Regional Water System which serves 2.7 million customers. We are committed to responsible natural resources management that protects and restores viable populations of native species and maintains the integrity of the ecosystems that support them for current and future generations. We strive to become a leader in science-based and collaborative environmental stewardship in order to continue providing high-quality and reliable water supplies to our customers.
About the Apprentice Gardener Position
The Apprentice Gardener is a trainee classification which performs routine and basic duties to assist Gardeners in the care of athletic fields, squares, parks, playgrounds, stadiums, thoroughfares, medians and/or other landscaped areas. Under direct supervision, learns to perform care and maintenance of a variety of plants and landscaped areas, including planting, pruning and pest control; removes debris and litter; operates hand or power lawn mower; performs routine maintenance of tools and equipment; and performs related duties as required. Assigned duties increase in scope and difficulty as the Apprentice Gardener demonstrates skills in performing diverse duties that are learned through an on-the-job training rotation. Work is performed under direct supervision and is evaluated on the basis of progress in a structured work experience training program. Work assignments may include exposure to slopes, poison oak, and other natural hazards, particularly within Natural Resources (NR) work environments.
Demonstrated competence and successful completion of a minimum of 3,000 hours of the structured apprentice training program leads to meeting the minimum qualifications for the promotional class of 3417 Gardener. Failure to achieve demonstrated competence and acceptable work habits or the inability to complete the training program within two (2) years results in loss of employment in the 3410 class. The appointing officer may provide an extension of time to complete the training program, however, appointments to this class cannot exceed 3 years.
Race and Social Equity Statement
We believe that parks and open space in San Francisco provides the opportunity to model equitable access for all. With this belief, San Francisco became the first city in the United States for which 100% of its residents live within a ten-minute walk of a park. The Recreation and Park Department's goal is to close the gaps and improve equity and access to quality parks and open space, and recreation activities for historically marginalized communities.
We envision a department that proactively infuses racial and social equity in its internal operations. With a multi-disciplinary team of talented individuals - gardeners, recreation leaders, park rangers, custodians, craft shop personnel, park and recreation managers and more, the department is committed to doing its part to provide equitable access to parks and programs for all the communities we serve to enjoy, as well as foster a work environment where our differences are celebrated, and everyone has what they need to thrive regardless of their race, age, ability, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or country of origin.
Example of Important and Essential Duties:
Participates in a structured on-the-job and classroom training program and learns routine and basic manual labor tasks.
Waters lawns, planted areas and playfields, manually or by means of automatic sprinklers; uses hand or power mower to cut lawns; fertilizes lawns, shrubs and flower beds.
Performs routine and limited trimming and pruning of shrubs and hedges by use of hand or power shears; gathers and disposes of cuttings.
With close supervision, sprays herbicides; plants and transplants shrubs or small plants; traps or destroys rodents; assists in the renovation of lawns or play areas.
Removes debris and litter; sweeps and otherwise cleans play areas, paths or roadways; removes trash; assists in the loading of debris on truck.
Rakes and weeds lawns; weeds and cultivates planted areas; cleans restrooms or other auxiliary buildings in a playground or park.
Sharpens, cleans and otherwise maintains tools and equipment, and performs general maintenance duties.
Assists in responding to specific service requests generated by the public, department or other City agency.
Loads and unloads materials, supplies, and equipment on and off trucks in proper and safe manner.
Assists in making minor repairs and adjustments to landscape irrigation systems, mower equipment, and hoses.
Performs related duties and responsibilities as assigned.
***Meet admission and eligibility requirements for enrollment at City College of San Francisco as follows:
a.) You must be eighteen (18) years old on or before the first day of instruction for the term which you are applying. or
b.) You are a high school graduate; or
c.) You are the equivalent of a high school graduate, i.e., you have passed GED or a state's high school proficiency examination; or
d) You completed a minimum of 120 high school credits and have submitted a permission/consent form. Please visit the High School Programs page (https://www.ccsf.edu/academics/high-school-programs) for more information.
Please visit the link for City College of San Francisco's admission policy: https://www.ccsf.edu/admissions-recordsregistration/credit-admission
AND
Possession of a valid California (Class C) driver's license
https://www.ccsf.edu/en/student-services/admissions-and-registration/registration.html
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
The stated desirable qualifications may be used to identify job finalists at the end of the selection process when candidates are referred for hiring.
Six (6) months (1,040 hours) of verifiable experience in the care and maintenance of landscaped general ground areas or as a journey-level tradesperson in construction or industrial field;
A good driving record (An applicant will be considered a negligent driver and may be disqualified if the driving record shows: 6 or more violation points in the last 12 months; 8 or more violation points in the last 24 months; or 10 or more violation points in the last 36 months. The months will be calculated from the date the report was requested.)
Verifiable experience in a physically demanding position (e.g., gardening assistant, laborer, restaurant work, stock room work, construction etc.)
Ability to safely and correctly lift, drag, and/or move with assistance, large and/or heavy plants and equipment to truck bed level, and the ability to kneel, bend and squat for considerable periods of time. (The probationary period will be used to evaluate this qualification.);
New or continuing student status at City College of San Francisco.
WORKING CONDITIONS: The nature of the work may require 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 require safe driving of large trucks or vans. Some positions may require riding mowers and driving small utility vehicles. Some positions may require heavy lifting up to 50 lbs. Some positions may require weekend or shift work.
HOW TO APPLY
STEP 1 - Applicants are encouraged to apply online no later than Thursday, May 7, 2026 by 5:00 pm by clicking on the 'Apply Now' or 'I'm Interested' button and follow instructions as prompted. AND
STEP 2 - Complete and submit all verification documents no later than Monday, May 11, 2026 by 5:00 pm.
Verification documents requested are as follows:
Verification of meeting eligibility and entrance criteria for enrollment in City College of San Francisco (i.e. copy of high school diploma, certificate of completion/GED, bachelor's degree, or college transcripts, etc.); AND
Verification of valid California Class C Driver's License - Applicants must submit a legible copy of their driver's license with photograph clear and visible; AND
DRIVING HISTORY RECORD PRINTOUT - Applicants are required to submit an original Department of Motor Vehicles driving history record printout. The printout is available from any Department of Motor Vehicles office or online. The printout must be current, dated within one month of the date when requested. The printout must be complete and state the word "End" on the final page of the printout. Applicants who do not submit the DMV printout will not be allowed to move forward in the selection process.
INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO SEND VERIFICATION DOCUMENTS AS A COMPLETE PACKET:
Scan and attach all verification documents to your application.
Label all attached documents (i.e., driver's license, HS diploma, DMV history, etc.)
DO NOT USE U.S. Mail or hand delivery. Verification materials submitted by US mail or hand delivery will not be accepted.
Note: Failure to complete ALL steps above will be considered as INCOMPLETE and will be disqualified.
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.
Applications will be screened for relevant qualifying experience. Additional screening mechanisms may be implemented in order to determine candidates' qualifications. Applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement in the selection process. Previous paid or volunteer experience with the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department does NOT guarantee employment.
SELECTION PROCESS
Applicants selected to advance in the selection process MUST be available to participate in a written, performance, and oral assessment administered tentatively the week of June 4, 2026. More specific information (final date/time) will be provided to individuals if invited to advance in this process.
Additional Information Regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco:
Information About The Hiring Process (https://sfdhr.org/information-about-hiring-process)
Conviction History
Employee Benefits Overview (https://sfdhr.org/benefits-overview)
Equal Employment Opportunity (https://sfdhr.org/equal-employment-opportunity)
Disaster Service Worker (https://sfdhr.org/disaster-service-workers)
ADA Accommodation
Veterans Preference (http://sfdhr.org/information-about-hiring-process#veteranspreference)
Right to Work
Copies of Application Documents (https://sfdhr.org/information-about-hiring-process#copies)
Diversity Statement
As a selected candidate for a job, you will be fingerprinted, and your fingerprints will be sent to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The resulting report of your conviction history (if any) will be used to determine whether the nature of your conviction (or arrest, in limited circumstances) conflicts with the specific duties and responsibilities of the job for which you are a selected candidate. If a conflict exists, you will be asked to present any evidence of rehabilitation that may mitigate the conflict, except when federal or state regulations bar employment in specific circumstances, such as:
Candidates for positions with the Unified School District and the Community College District may be disqualified from consideration should their conviction history not meet the standards established under the California Education Code.
Candidates for positions with the Recreation and Park Department may be disqualified from consideration should their conviction history not meet the standards established under California Public Resources Code 5164.
Having a conviction history does not automatically preclude you from a job with the City.
If you are a selected candidate, the hiring department will contact you to schedule a fingerprinting appointment.
Drug Testing 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 Laborers International, Local 261, are required to pass pre-employment drug and alcohol testing. All employees in this classification may also be subject to drug and alcohol testing upon reasonable suspicion or after a work-related accident.
Physical Examination: Prior to appointment, candidates must successfully pass a medical examination to determine his/her ability to perform the essential functions of the job and/or the ability to meet the physical minimum requirements.
Applicants may be contacted by email about this announcement and, therefore, it is their responsibility to ensure that their registered email address and contact information is accurate and kept up-to-date.
If you have any questions regarding this recruitment or application process, please contact the exam analyst, Lilli Ann Bobila by email at Lilliann.bobila@sfgov.org.
All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
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.
