The Natural Resources division of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission has a job opening working on the Peninsula Watershed near Burlingame. The 3422 Park Section supervisor will develop a new program for 3410 Apprentice Gardeners and lead them in field work. This position is temporary exempt civil service. It is initially a 3 year contract with a high likelihood of transitioning to a permanent civil service position. All benefits apply, including retirement contributions, health insurance, paid time off etc. Please apply here through Smart Recruiters. After reviewing the job description, feel free to reach out to me with any questions about the position, Matt Swagler, mswagler@sfwater.org.

This role will play a key part in leading and supporting a 3410 apprenticeship program focused on developing strong candidates in natural resources. We are looking for individuals with strong leadership skills who are passionate about mentoring and helping grow the next generation of professionals in this field. Please share with your networks and pass along to anyone who might be a good fit. It’s meaningful work in a beautiful place with awesome people. 

The Green Pathways Training Program is designed to prepare entry-level staff for careers maintaining and restoring public landscapes across San Francisco and the Peninsula Watershed. Through a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on fieldwork, apprentices will develop practical skills in plant care, soil health, irrigation systems, habitat restoration, and sustainable land management. The program emphasizes ecological stewardship, safety practices, and teamwork while working in diverse environments, from urban landscapes to protected watershed lands.

 The duration of this project is 36 months.

Under general direction, the 3422 Park Section Supervisor oversees 3410 Apprentice Gardener staff engaged in watershed maintenance, habitat enhancement, trail rehabilitation, and natural resource management across the Peninsula Watershed, San Francisco Lands, and Rights-of-Way properties. This role emphasizes hands-on training and vocational development, supporting staff in acquiring job skills, understanding the work environment, and advancing in natural resource and watershed operations.

The primary responsibility of this position is to manage and lead the 3410 Apprentice Gardener program, ensuring participants meet the required criteria for successful completion of a structured training program. This includes coordinating closely with land managers and departmental staff to align operational priorities with program objectives, while ensuring assigned work supports both training and organizational goals.

In this role, the supervisor trains, mentors, and provides direct oversight to staff performing landscape renovations and maintenance and habitat restoration work. Responsibilities include training, assigning, monitoring, scheduling, and evaluating work of subordinates related to landscape and natural resource maintenance, trail rehabilitation, planting and propagation, and Integrated Pest Management activities, while ensuring adherence to established procedures, safety standards, and best practices. The position requires exercising independent judgment in planning work, developing staff skills, and managing daily operations, as well as fostering a collaborative team environment through practical, skills-based training. The supervisor is also responsible for maintaining accurate records, reports, and training documentation, and performing related duties as required.

This position involves outdoor work requiring significant physical effort, exposure to varying weather conditions, and occasionally challenging environmental terrain.

Essential duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:

1. Supervises the work of gardeners and others in the maintenance and care of parks, easements and center islands, other planted and landscaped areas including large interior landscaping installations or recreational areas or natural areas; instructs subordinates in methods to be used and frequently inspects their work.

2. Supervises irrigation, plant propagation activities, Integrated Pest Management (IPM); weed management, cleanup work, sodding, pruning, mowing and other routine horticultural maintenance operations. May supervise weeding, transplanting, potting and planting of nursery stock.

3. Ensures safe work practices by directing staff to wear protective equipment, conducting accident investigations, instructing in the proper use of tools, equipment, and Integrated Pest Management; provides information on employee and public safety related to structural repairs, tree hazards and other unsafe conditions.

4. May perform or supervise minor repairs to, greenhouses or equipment; may supervise maintenance of plants inside buildings, such as lobbies and offices.

5. Requisitions supplies; selects stock and fills orders for plants; keeps records of activities and makes required reports.

6. Trains staff, trainees, and volunteers by preparing and conducting training in the use of maintenance equipment, garden tools, pesticide and fertilizer application equipment, and the care and management of natural resource areas; provides safety training; and enforces work procedures, policies, and methods of operation. May be required to prepare educational material and make presentations related to park maintenance and/or the conservation of natural resource areas.

7. Obtains, posts, and keeps track of permits required for program implementation by submitting requests to regulatory agencies. This includes reporting and posting of public notices when using pesticides in City property.

8. Plans and implements landscaping and planting projects by developing maintenance standards; maintaining landscaped and planted areas; coordinates tree assessment, removal, replanting and reforestation. May be required to perform landscaping tasks, such as pruning, spraying, fertilizing, planting shrubs and trees, etc.

9. Writes memoranda, reports and completes work orders by drafting memos and letters, filling out requisitions for supplies, materials, and services; and completing incident reports, employee evaluations, etc. This may include researching and recommending use of new products and equipment, ordering plants and /or estimating cost of jobs for both landscape and recreation facilities.

10. Makes public contact in person or in writing; responds to issues/complaints brought up by individuals, community groups, volunteers, advisory committees, commission, police, etc.

11. Provides information by participating in work groups in charge of short and long-range parks planning and reforestation. This may include scheduling repairs or renovations at appropriate times.

12. Acts as liaison between or across departments by attending meetings or representing the department at special events, hearings, committees, boards, etc.

13. Drives various vehicles from job site to job site.

14. Performs related duties and responsibilities as assigned

Job Location: 100 San Andreas Valley Rd. Burlingame, CA 94019

This position reports to 100 San Andreas Valley Road within the Crystal Springs Watershed in Burlingame, CA. Work may occur in the Crystal Springs Watershed, San Francisco Lands, and Rights-of-Way properties owned by the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission.

Work Schedule: Monday–Friday from 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM

How to qualify

These minimum qualifications establish the education, training, experience, special skills and/or license(s) which are required for employment in the classification. Please note, additional qualifications (i.e., special conditions) may apply to a particular position and will be stated on the exam/job announcement.

Experience And Training Guidelines:

1. Three years of verifiable 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 years of verifiable 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 18 months of verifiable 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 (4000 hours) and six (6) months of experience as a supervisor.

SUBSTITUTION:

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

LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION

Possession of a valid California Class C driver’s license.

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.

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

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Special Requirements: The nature of the outdoor work requires occasional exposure to rain and wind, other seasonal elements, and some disagreeable working conditions. Some positions may require working rotating shifts, nights, weekends, and /or holidays.

Applicants must meet the minimum qualification requirement by the final filing date unless otherwise noted.

Verification of Education and Experience:

Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. More information can be found at: https://sfdhr.org/information-about-hiring-process#verification

For applicants with foreign transcripts/degrees or education from Non-Accredited Schools, please visit How to Verify Education Requirements | SF.gov

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.

All work experience, education, training, and other information substantiating how you meet the minimum qualifications must be included on your application by the filing deadline. Information submitted after the filing deadline will not be considered in determining whether you meet the minimum qualifications. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed City and County of San Francisco application. Applications completed improperly may be cause for ineligibility, disqualification or may lead to lower scores.

SAFETY SENSITIVE POSITION REQUIREMENTS: The City and County of San Francisco’s Substance Abuse Policy, in compliance with the Department of Transportation Omnibus Transportation Employer Testing Act of 1991 employing the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) regulations, requires drug and alcohol testing for employees in “safety-sensitive” positions. This class qualifies as “safety-sensitive” as defined by the FMCSA and FTA regulations. The selected applicants for “safety-sensitive” positions will be required to pass a Pre-Employment drug test prior to appointment and shall be subject to Random, Post-Accident, Reasonable Suspicion, Return-To-Duty, and Follow-Up testing during employment. Prior to appointment to an FMCSA “safety-sensitive” position, each applicant who has participated in a DOT drug and alcohol testing program within the immediately preceding three (3) years will be required to sign a consent form authorizing the City to contact his/her prior employers concerning his/her drug and alcohol test history.