Location
Description
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.
Ideal Candidate
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.
Benefits
GENERAL BENEFITS SUMMARY
A.F.S.C.M.E., Local 919
Effective December 1, 2022
I HEALTH & WELFARE
A. Section 125 Options: Unreimbursed Medical Expenses and Dependent Care Plans available to all eligible full-time employees.
B. Wage Supplements
Effective November 1, 2023 the City’s monthly contribution towards the Cafeteria/Flexible benefits wage supplement shall be:
No Coverage $500.00
Employee Only 100% of Employee Only CalPERS Kaiser Rate
Employee + 1 95% of Employee +1 CalPERS Kaiser Rate
Employee+ Family 95% of Employee + Family CalPERS Kaiser Rate
From the Wage Supplement Dollars, employees must purchase the following qualified benefits:
- City-sponsored dental/orthodontic insurance
Maximum annual dental benefit $2,500 Non-PPO/ $2,600 PPO
Maximum lifetime orthodontia $2,500
Monthly premium of $141.10 effective 1/1/2025
- City-sponsored life insurance ($50,000)
Monthly premium at the current coverage rate of $0.225 per $1K.
C. City-sponsored Short/Long Term Disability Insurance
Monthly Premium: $35.00
City Pays: $26.50 per employee
Employee Pays: $ 8.50 ($4.25 biweekly for 24 pay periods)
D. Vision Reimbursement Plan
Employees and their dependents are eligible for a maximum of $200.00 per year per family for frames or lenses. The reimbursement may be requested every 12 months.
II RETIREMENT - PERS 3% At Age 60
3% @ Age 60 for Classic Members Effective 01/01/2013; Third Level of 1959 Survivor Benefit, One Year Final compensation, annual cost of living allowance (3%); Pre-Retirement Optional Settlement 2 Death Benefit.
2% @ Age 62 for New Members Effective 01/01/2013; Three Year Final Compensation
Employer contribution: 43.10% effective 7/01/25
Employee contribution: 8.00% for Classic and New Members
The City pays 0% of employee contribution. In lieu, the City provides 414h, a one-time, irrevocable option for employee to elect to have his or her mandated PERS member contribution picked up by the City. Electing this option authorizes the City to designate the mandatory contribution on a tax-deferred basis.
III EDUCATION EXPENSES: Employees may be reimbursed for educational expenses with prior department head approval and with proof of successful completion of the course.
IV STANDBY PAY: $50 daily standby rate to eligible employees.
V SAFETY FOOTWEAR ALLOWANCE: Reimbursement up to $350.00 as needed to eligible employees for the purchase and/or repair and maintenance of safety footwear (including socks, boot laces, and inserts). Employee may select type of footwear and must obtain advance approval of the Department Head. Employees receiving such reimbursement are required to wear the approved footwear at all times while on duty. Eligible classifications are:
Building Inspector Lead Meter Reader
Building Maintenance Worker I/II Lead Groundskeeper Gardener
Lead Public Works Maint Worker
Certified Tree Worker Lead Street Maintenance Worker
Lead Traffic Signal Street Light Tech
Chief Mechanic Mechanic
Civil Engineer II Meter Reader
Custodian Public Works Inspector
Electrician Senior Building Inspector
Engineer I Senior Building Maintenance Worker
Engineering Technician Street Maintenance Worker I/II
Equipment Operator/Project Lead Senior Engineering Technician
Groundskeeper/Gardener I/II Street Sweeper Operator
Junior Engineering Technician Traffic Signal Street Light Technician
Utility Maintenance Worker
VI CLOTHING: Employees required to wear uniforms shall be required to wear them at all times while on duty.
A. Coveralls: The City will provide coveralls to employees in the following classifications:
Building Inspector
Building Maintenance Worker I/II
Chief Mechanic
Junior Engineering Technician
Groundskeeper/Gardener I/II
Lead Groundskeeper Gardener
Lead Public Workers Maintenance Worker
Lead Street Maintenance Worker
Mechanic
Mechanic’s Helper
Senior Building Inspector
Senior Building Maintenance Worker
Street Maintenance Worker I/II
Street Sweeper Operator
Utility Maintenance Worker
VII DAMAGED CLOTHING REIMBURSEMENT: Clothing reimbursement pool provides up to a maximum of $150 per year to eligible employees for clothing damaged in the line of duty and replaced by the employee subject to Department Head approval. The $150 clothing reimbursement pool will not carry over from one fiscal year to the next. Eligible employees are those who hold position classifications of:
Building Inspector Engineering Technician
Engineering Aide Senior Engineering Technician
VIII SUPPLEMENTAL ASSIGNMENT PAY
- Employees who are designated by their department and assigned to operate a vehicle(s) requiring a valid Class A California driver’s license shall receive supplemental assignment pay at the rate of $145.00 a month.
- Irrigation Specialist (Parks) $100/month
- Sheriff Work Program Supervisor (Parks) $100/month
- QAC (Qualified Applicator Certificate) (Parks) $100/month
- Playground Inspector $150/month
- Fire Mechanic (Mechanics) $100/month
- Safe Food Handling (Recreation) $50/month
- Certified Arborist (Parks) $100/month
- Fleet ASE Master Auto Technician (Mechanics) $200/month
- Traffic Signal Street Light Technician &
Lead Traffic Street Light Technician- Level III Certificate $100/month
- Signs & Pavement Certificate $100/month
Effective 9/30/23, the current amount of certification pay from a flat dollar amount will be converted to a percentage and implemented as follows. At no time will a member’s total amount of certification pay exceed 15% of base pay:
XI TWO HOURS PERSONAL LEAVE: The City provides affected employees two hours of personal leave to be taken at any time during the calendar year that is agreeable to the employee and the employee’s department head in lieu of the employee taking two hours of holiday time off on the Friday before Easter. Said two hours personal leave shall be taken each year pursuant to the above conditions and shall not accrue from year to year.
XII Retiree Health Benefits
The retiree health benefit for all employees hired on or after November 14, 2022 shall be limited to the PEMHCA minimum.
For employees hired on or after November 14, 2022, the City shall contribute $50 per month to the current Mission Square retiree health savings account.
XIII HOLIDAYS: 12 paid holidays per year
XIV VACATION: Employees accrue vacation days after completion of service years reflected below. New hires are eligible to use accrued vacation during their probationary period upon approval of their department head or designee.
Years of Service # Days
Completed Received
1 through 4 13
5 through 12 18
13 through 20 23
21 or more 28
XV SICK LEAVE: Full-time employees accrue sick leave at the rate of 12 working days per year. Pay out of one-half of employee's total accrued sick leave hours applies ONLY at retirement, death, or abolishment of position for employees hired before January 1, 2020.
XVI MILEAGE: Effective January 1, 2025, reimbursement rate is 70 cents per mile.
XVII AFFECTED CLASSIFICATIONS – Civil Service
Building Inspector
Building Maintenance Worker I/II
Building Permit Technician
Certified Tree Worker
Chief Mechanic
Civil Engineer II
Custodian
Electrician
Engineer I
Engineering Technician
Groundskeeper/Gardener I/II
Junior Engineering Technician
Lead Groundskeeper/Gardener
Lead Meter Reader
Lead Public Works Maintenance Worker
Lead Street Maintenance Worker
Lead Traffic Signal Street Light Technician
Librarian I
Librarian II
Librarian III
Library Assistant I
Library Assistant II
Library Assistant III
Mechanic
Mechanic’s Helper
Meter Reader
Recreation Services Coordinator
Recreation Services Supervisor
Senior Recreation Services Supervisor
SeniorBuilding Inspector
Senior Engineering Technician
Senior Custodian
Senior Recreation Services Supervisor
Street Maintenance Worker I/II
Street Sweeper Operator
Traffic Signal/Street Light Technician
Utility Maintenance Worker
Special Instructions
Applications will be accepted 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