Promotive Only - Park Section Supervisor (3422) - CITYWIDE (168596)

Company Description

THIS IS A CITYWIDE RECRUITMENT FOR CURRENT CITY EMPLOYEES ONLY.

This is a Promotion Only recruitment in accordance with Class-Based Test (CBT) Civil Service Rules. This recruitment is only open to current permanent civil service (PCS) employees of the City and County of San Francisco, San Francisco Unified School District, or San Francisco City College, working within the 3417 Gardener classification.

ABOUT THE CITY AND COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO:  San Francisco is a vibrant and dynamic city, on the forefront of economic growth & innovation, urban development, arts & entertainment, as well as social issues & change. This rich tapestry of culture and ideas is sustained by our City's commitment to heighten the quality of life for the diverse population of 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.

Application Opening:   October 20, 2026

Application Deadline:   Apply immediately. Application filing will be open at least until Tuesday, October 27, 2026 5:00pm (PDT) and will close any time thereafter.

Recruitment ID: PRO-3422-168596

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:

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

Qualifications

1. Current Permanent Civil Service City Employee in Class 3417 , who passed probation.

Note: Applicants do not need to have passed probation to apply, but they must have passed probation to be hired .

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

Verification of Experience and/or Education:

Every application is reviewed to ensure that you meet the minimum qualifications as listed in the job ad. Please review Employment Application and Minimum Qualifications and Verification of Experience and/or Education 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.

Failure to provide the required verification may result in rejection of the application and/or removal from eligibility for referral and appointment in this class.

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.

Special Requirements : Special Qualifications including specialized knowledge, abilities, education, experience, or license may be established for individual positions.

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 a lower score.

Selection Procedures:

- Job Application -  Applicants must fully complete the job application. Information from resumes does not substitute for the information on the job application or preliminary questionnaire.
 
- Preliminary Questionnaire  – Training and Experience Assessment (Weight: 100%) - During the application process, applicants will be prompted to complete a Preliminary Questionnaire as part of the online employment process.

Please answer the supplemental questionnaire carefully and thoroughly.  It will serve as the Training and Experience Assessment for this recruitment and will be used to determine your eligibility for this recruitment as well as your score and rank on the eligible list. Qualified applicants will be ranked on the eligible list based on their amount of experience above the minimum qualifications for the 3422 Park Section Supervisor class, along with any additional qualifying points (e.g., promotive status), as outlined in Civil Service Commission (CSC) rules. All work experience, education, training and other information provided should also be included in the work history and/or education sections of your SmartRecruiters application and is subject to verification.

NOTE:   Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed to advance through all of the steps in the selection process. The department may administer additional position-specific selection procedures to make the final hiring decision.

Eligible List/Score Report: A confidential eligible list of qualifying candidates will be created and used for certification purposes only. A 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 resolved. The eligible list/score report resulting from this selection process is subject to change after adoption (e.g., because of appeals), as directed by the Human Resources Director or the Civil Service Commission.

The duration of the eligible list resulting from this examination process will be six (6) months and may be extended with the approval of the Human Resources Director.

Certification Rule: The certification rule for this selection process will be Rule of the List.

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  https://careers.sf.gov/ .] 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  https://sf.gov/departments/civil-service-commission .

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 be qualified for unescorted access to the San Francisco International Airport U.S. Customs Security Area. An application for a U.S. Customs 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 Rule 110.9.1, 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 TWIG 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 and successfully acquire and maintain a TWIG card. Per Civil Service Rule110.9.1, 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 in the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, 49 U.S.C. 114, 40113, and 49 U.S.C. 5103a.

Medical Examination
Prior to appointment, all 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.

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 3422, Park Section Supervsior position 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.

Additional Information

- Information About the Hiring Process (https://careers.sf.gov/knowledge/process/)
- Conviction History (https://careers.sf.gov/knowledge/conviction-history/)
- Employee Benefits Overview (https://careers.sf.gov/benefits/)
- Equal Employment Opportunity (https://www.sf.gov/what-equal-employment-opportunity-and-how-file-claim)
- Disaster Service Worker (https://sfdhr.org/disaster-service-workers)
- ADA Accommodation (https://sfdhr.org/information-about-hiring-process#applicantswithdisabilities)
- Veterans Preference (https://sfdhr.org/recruitment-details#veteranspreference)
- Seniority Credit in Promotional Exams (https://sfdhr.org/recruitment-details#senioritycredit)
- Right to Work (https://sfdhr.org/recruitment-details#identification)
- Copies of Application Documents (https://sfdhr.org/recruitment-details#copies)
- Diversity Statement (https://sfdhr.org/recruitment-details#diversitystatement)

Applicants will receive a confirmation email from  [email protected]  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.

Applicants may be contacted by email about this recruitment and, therefore, it is their responsibility to ensure that their registered email address is accurate and kept up-to-date. Also, applicants must ensure that email from CCSF is not blocked on their computer by a spam filter. To prevent blocking, applicants should set up their email to accept CCSF mail from the following addresses (@sfgov.org, @sfdpw.org, @sfport.com, @flysfo.com, @sfwater.org, @sfdph.org, @asianart.org, @sfmta.com, @sfpl.org, @dcyf.org, @first5sf.org, @famsf.org, @ccsf.edu, @smartalerts.info, and @smartrecruiters.com).

Exam Analyst Information:  If you have any questions regarding this recruitment or application process, please contact the exam analyst at [email protected].

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.