WATERING TECHNICIAN

Classification and Time: Full-time, Non-exempt 
Compensation: $28.41 per hour 
Hours and Schedule: 40 hours per week. 8am - 4:30pm Monday - Friday, with required occasional Saturdays to support weekend tree planting events. Watering Technicians should expect to work a Saturday with the previous Monday off approximately once per month. 
Reports to: Tree Care Program Manager 
Date Posted: September 25, 2026 
Priority Deadline: October 11, 2026 

Note: This is a regular position that is currently funded by a grant through June 30, 2028. Continued employment beyond that period will depend on continued funding and program needs. Employment  with Friends of the Urban Forest remains at will.

 About Friends of the Urban Forest 
Since 1981, Friends of the Urban Forest (FUF), a premier San Francisco environmental nonprofit, has brought together communities throughout the city to plant more than 60,000 trees– half of San Francisco’s street tree canopy. Friends of the Urban Forest has a long history of integrating urban greening with civic engagement as a way to increase community health and resilience, combat the effects of the climate crisis, and promote environmental equity and social justice. Friends of the Urban Forest connects San Franciscans to nature and to each other and recognizes San Francisco’s many communities and cultures and the diverse ways in which they connect with our urban forest. This position at Friends of the Urban Forest would give you the exciting opportunity to be part of a growing and dynamic professional organization that has been creating a greener San Francisco for more than 45 years. 

Position Summary 
Friends of the Urban Forest’s Watering Crew provides essential support for San Francisco's canopy, providing up to 4,500 young trees the water they need to survive each week. The Watering Crew is responsible for watering trees the day they are planted and once a week for their first three years. This is a field-based role performed in two-person teams. As a Watering Technician, you will work in partnership with a driver to operate a low cab forward light duty commercial truck with a 750 gallon tank. While your partner navigates the vehicle, you will serve as the primary crew member responsible for hands-on tree care. Your day-to-day work involves:  

● Active Field Work: Operating a water pump and hose, accessing fire hydrants, and providing minor tree basin care. 
● Team Collaboration: Working in lockstep with your driver to safely and efficiently water trees across the city. 
● Community Engagement: Representing FUF while interacting with community members in the field. 

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Activities, duties, or responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice. 

Duties and Responsibilities 

Watering Operations - 90% 
● Provide watering for up to 600 trees each week to ensure they become established over a three-year period.  
● Provide maintenance on FUF tree basins through mulching, weeding, litter removal, hardware adjustments, as needed. 
● Safely operate the water pump and hose. Access fire hydrants to fill the 750-gallon truck tank in accordance with SF Public Utility Commission (PUC) standards.  
● Accurately record all water visits and tree health data in a Salesforce database daily. 
● Participate in regular meetings across teams to coordinate watering needs for new trees. 

Monitoring and Reporting Duties - 10% 
● Work with the Tree Care team to report tree conditions, relaying maintenance needs, and tracking watering activities using Google and Salesforce platforms. 
● Assist Tree Care team with bi-annual inspections for trees that have been watered for 3 years to determine whether they are established or need further care.  
● Monitor condition of watering-related equipment including hoses, hose reel, water tank, water truck, water meter, and water pump, and work with the Water Crew Manager to coordinate maintenance needs. 
● Track water usage using a PUC water meter, including submitting a water meter to the PUC on a bimonthly basis for reading & billing. 

General Duties 
● Assist with the maintenance of tools and our tree yard, this includes cleaning, watering, inspecting and repairing irrigation, and taking debris to the landfill. 
● Provide support to other FUF teams as needed. Activities may include, but are not limited to, planting trees and installing protective hardware surrounding newly-established trees; conducting post-planting surveys; performing basic young tree & basin maintenance tasks. 
● Follow and enforce organizational safety policies, including vehicle safety and personal protective equipment protocols. 

Requirements 
● Experience working in the public right-of-way. 
● Experience operating specialized equipment on a daily basis as part of a core job function. 
● Experience performing data entry onto online platforms. 
● The ability to work outdoors, enter/exit a large vehicle, and move hoses repeatedly over the course of a day. 
● COVID-19 vaccination (reasonable medical or religious accommodations considered). 

Desired Experience and Qualifications 
● Experience in the field of arboriculture, landscaping, and/or irrigation systems. 
● Fluency in Google Suites, Salesforce, and ability to learn new software systems. 
● Valid California Drivers License with a clean driving record to support cross-team collaboration and flexibility with field work for occasional non-watering specific assignments, using non-water truck vehicles in the fleet. 

Don’t hold back: Studies show that women and members of underrepresented groups often hesitate to apply for positions unless they meet every single qualification. At Friends of the Urban Forest, we are looking for the right person, not just the right resume. If you are passionate about San Francisco’s tree canopy and have a track record of getting things done, we encourage you to apply even if your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every bullet point.