Search Jobs

Applications will be accepted for this position until Friday, April 17, 2026

Incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Resumes are not accepted in lieu of completing a City application.

Written Exam: Tuesday, May 12, 2026

Oral Exam: TBA

DEFINITION
Under general supervision, performs a variety of semi-skilled and skilled gardening and turf maintenance duties in the development, maintenance and repair of landscaped areas; and related work as required.

Groundskeeper Gardener I is the entry-level class and Groundskeeper Gardener II is the journey-level class in the series. Incumbents in the Groundskeeper Gardener I class will progressively perform most of the duties required in the Groundskeeper Gardener series but are not expected to function at the same skill level and will usually exercise less independent direction and judgement on matters related to work procedures and
methods. Work is usually supervised while in progress and fits an established pattern that has been explained before the work is started. Generally, changes in procedures or exceptions are explained in detail as they arise. Under the flexible staffing concept, Groundskeeper Gardener II positions that may become vacant may reasonably be filled at the Groundskeeper Gardener I or Utility Maintenance Worker level for training purposes.

Positions in the Groundskeeper Gardener II class are flexibly staffed and normally filled by advancement from the Groundskeeper Gardener I class, or when filled from the outside, require prior specific experience in gardening and general grounds maintenance. Appointment to this class requires the employee to be performing substantially the full range of gardening and general grounds maintenance duties and to meet the qualification standards for the class. This class requires the ability to work independently exercising
judgement and initiative. Duties will normally require the ability to operate the full range of mechanical equipment related to gardening and general grounds maintenance.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
Plant, cultivate, water, spray, and propagate plants, hedges, trees, flowers, and lawns and perform grounds maintenance work; operate hand and power machines; aids in keeping greenhouses and other structures in repair and free from plant diseases and pests; maintain equipment, tools, and supplies in proper condition and repair; do general laboring tasks related to grounds and garden maintenance work. Install, maintain, and
operate manual and automatic irrigation systems. Input and retrieve data and work orders from the computer system. May assist in supervising utility workers, temporary employees, court referrals and other subordinates.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of: Approved methods of planting, propagating and caring for hedges, ornamental trees, shrubs, lawns, and flowers; gardening materials, tools and equipment, and their use and care; the common plant diseases and insect pests and the approved methods and materials used in controlling and destroying them.

Ability to: Safely use hand and power gardening tools and perform heavy physical labor; follow oral and written directions; follow and abide by the City's Rules and Regulations of the Classified Service. Learn to use the computer system. Maintain an appropriate public service demeanor and positive customer service interactions. Interact positively and cooperate with co-workers, respond politely to customers, work as a team member, function under demanding time pressure, respond in a positive manner to supervision, and attend work and perform duties on a regular and consistent basis.

Physical capability to: Perform sustained, strenuous manual labor; climb, lift, crawl, stoop and bend to reach work; may work outdoors in temperature extremes and inclement weather.

Experience:

• Groundskeeper Gardener I, entry level: one (1) year, full-time, paid experience in construction, maintenance or other semi-skilled, physical work.
• Groundskeeper Gardener II: two (2) years of full-time experience in gardening and general grounds maintenance work.

Education:

• Groundskeeper Gardener I, entry level: completion of the tenth grade. Graduation from high school or the equivalent is desirable and required to advance to Level II in the classification series.
• Groundskeeper Gardener II: A high school diploma or the equivalent.

License:

• Possession of a valid, Class C California Driver's License.
• Groundskeeper Gardener II: A current Qualified Applicator Certificate is desirable.

The City of San Mateo Public Works Department is seeking a Traffic and Lighting Technician

The Department

The Public Works Department is comprised of the Engineering and Facilities Services Division (EFSD) and the Environmental Services Division (ESD). Each division is led by a Deputy Director reporting to the Director of Public Works. The department is responsible for the City’s major capital projects and infrastructure including streets, street lights, traffic signals, sewer and storm conveyance systems, wastewater treatment plant, pump stations, a major lagoon, and dams and levees. A key player on this team is the Traffic and Lighting Technician. You would be joining over 500 people whose mission is to serve the San Mateo community with a collaborative, innovative and professional spirit.

Look to some of the reasons why the City of San Mateo is a great place to work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GTIzeSpc_g

The Position

The Traffic and Lighting Technician performs skilled electrical and mechanical work in the maintenance and repair of traffic control signage, traffic signal equipment, and street lights; and guides the work of and trains other maintenance personnel, and performs related work as required.  Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Guide and participate in the work of other maintenance personnel.  Ability to set-up work zone safety and prepare traffic control work plans.
• Inspect, install, remove, and repair signal controls and auxiliary equipment such as light standards, control boxes, light fixtures, lamps, and circuitry; diagnose malfunctions; adjust and replace electronic and mechanical components.
• Inspect, install, remove and repair street lights and auxiliary equipment.
• Repair, replace or modify electric and electronic components, controllers, relays, switches, fuses, timers and other parts; design and construct special test equipment for shop testing of electronic components.
• Investigate complaints and reports of signal and traffic light malfunctions; adjust, repair or remove defective equipment; make field repairs of damaged equipment.
• Identify, locate and indicate with appropriate identification markers underground utilities (USA); respond to USA work orders within regulatory requirements; and document services accordingly.
• Be available for standby assignments in accordance with Department policies and procedures.
• Assist in the design of electrical circuits and systems for street lighting and traffic signals.
• Inspect the work of contractors during the course of construction and upon completion.
• Monitor traffic control computer and make adjustments as necessary.

The Traffic and Lighting Technician receives general direction from the Field Maintenance Manager and direct supervision from a Public Works Supervisor or higher level department staff and may exercise technical or functional direction over and provide work review to a Traffic Safety Worker or Maintenance Worker I/II.

For a complete list of duties, reference our job specifications at https://www.cityofsanmateo.org/DocumentCenter/Home/Index/86