3410-Apprentice Gardener - Fall 2026

City and County of San Francisco•San Francisco, CA

9h•$28•Onsite

About The 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.

Requirements

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.
Possession of a valid California (Class C) driver's license

Nice To Haves

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
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.
New or continuing student status at City College of San Francisco.

Responsibilities

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.