Career Opportunity

Park Section Supervisor- SF Citywide (3422)

Recruitment: REF11563V

Published: June 14, 2022

Accepting applications until: June 22, 2022

Apply using SmartRecruiters, the City and County of San Francisco's application portal Learn More

About:

Analyst Contact: Ian Talley at ian.talley@sfgov.org
Compensation: $39.8125-$48.3750/hour; $3,185 - $3,870/bi-weekly; $6,900.00 - $8,385.00/month; $82,810.00 - $100,620.00/year
Application Opening: 05/31/2022
Application Deadline: 06/22/2022

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.

Role 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. Some positions may require riding mowers and driving small utility vehicles. Some positions may require weekend or shift work.

Essential Duties

The 3422 Park Section Supervisor:

• 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, as well as 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 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; 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, as well as before committees and Board;
• Performs or supervises approved maintenance and/or minor repairs to facilities and equipment;
• Track equipment that is sent out for repairs/maintenance;
• Operates a City vehicle to gain access to work or work-related sites among various areas; and
• Performs related duties as assigned.

How to qualify

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 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 Experience and Education
Applicants may be required to submit verification qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. Failure to provide the required verification when requested may result in rejection of application and/or appointment in this class. Refer to the following links for information on acceptable forms of verification:

Verification Guidelines: Information About the Hiring Process | Department of Human Resources (sfdhr.org)
Education Guidelines: https://sfdhr.org/how-verify-education-requirements

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

What else should I know?

Selection Procedures

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 time 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.

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. 

To find Departments which use this classification, please see https://sfdhr.org/sites/default/files/documents/ASO-Level-Chart.pdf?documentID=21246. 

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

Exam Type: Combined Promotive and Entrance

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 provide a complete employment history for the past ten (10) years and an explanation of all gaps in employment during that period. The past ten (10) years of the candidate's employment will be verified. In addition, candidates will be required to undergo a criminal history check, including FBI fingerprints, in order to determine eligibility for security clearance and may be required to undergo drug/alcohol screening.

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.

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.

Additional Information Regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco

• Conviction History
• Employee Benefits Overview  
• Equal Employment Opportunity 
• Disaster Service Worker
• ADA Accommodation
• Veterans Preference
• Right to Work
• Copies of Application Documents
• Diversity Statement

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines. 

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT:  All City and County of San Francisco employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Someone is fully vaccinated when 14 days have passed since they received the final dose of a two-shot vaccine or a dose of a one-shot vaccine. Any new hire must present proof of full vaccination status to be appointed. Any new hire who will be routinely assigned or occasionally enter High-Risk Settings, must provide proof of having received a COVID-19 booster vaccine by March 1, 2022, or once eligible.

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.