GARDENER I-II

DESCRIPTION

Applications are available online beginning Monday , December 22, 2025, through 11:59 pm, Monday, January 5, 2026.

SALARY INFORMATION:

Grade I - $19.351 - $26.408 Hourly

Grade II - $21.035 - $28.703 Hourly

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Under general supervision, independently or as a member of a crew, performs or evaluates contractor performance for skilled gardening work; prepares soil and performs cultivation work; grades, plants and reseeds lawns; mows lawns using triplex and/or rotary riding type mowers and walk-type mowers; edges and waters lawns; adjusts and makes minor repairs to sprinkler systems; programs irrigation system using central software; prunes shrubs and trees; transplants flowers, shrubs and/or trees; leads the work of helpers performing gardening and grounds maintenance work; operates trucks and light power equipment; services and makes minor repairs to tools and equipment; observes and enforces safety regulation; orders materials and supplies, keeps time and other records; may be required to apply chemicals for weed and pest control; performs other related duties as required.

REQUIREMENTS TO FILE

Applicants must meet one of the following requirements A, B, or C:

Option A: Two years of paid full-time equivalent experience in gardening and grounds maintenance work and knowledge of the care and maintenance of flowers, shrubs, plants, trees, lawns, and/or athletic fields.

OR

Option B: Education equivalent to two years of training at an accredited college or university with major course work in Horticulture or related fields (proof of coursework and/or transcript required at time of filing)*.

OR

Option C: Combination of paid full-time equivalent experience and education totaling two years (proof of degree and/or transcript required at time of filing)*.

*Proof of required documents, such as degree or transcripts, must be uploaded to the online application at the time of filing. Any proofs submitted must contain either the applicant's name or other identifying characteristics on the form. Degrees must indicate the field of study and transcripts must indicate a field of study and degree conferred date. Candidates who possess degrees from colleges or universities outside the United States must attach proof of educational equivalence at the time of filing.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of pesticide use and safety, irrigation systems, and drought-tolerant plant materials.
• Ability to:
  • Assess, document and troubleshoot issues within the complete irrigation system;
  • Communicate effectively verbally and in writing;
  • Work independently;
  • Drive City vehicles;
  • Utilize electronic work order system;
  • Utilize standard horticultural equipment;
  • Lift and carry up to 50 pounds; and
  • Work in or near streets with heavy traffic.

Willingness to work overtime, weekend and/or holiday hours.

A valid driver's license must be submitted to the hiring department at the time of the selection.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS: Experience working with contractors on landscape and grounds maintenance projects; knowledge of bioswale and wetland management is desired for some positions in the Harbor Department; State of California Department of Agriculture Qualified Pesticide Applicator Certificate, Horticulture Certificate, Arboriculture Certificate; valid Class A or B motor vehicle operator's license; and knowledge of CALTRANS standards for setting up traffic control devices are desired for some positions.

SELECTION PROCEDURE

EXAMINATION WEIGHTS:

Application and Supplemental Application......................................................Qualifying

Written Exam.............................................................................................................100%

A minimum rating of 70 must be attained in order to pass the examination. Certification by score bands will be considered based on analysis of exam results. The resulting eligible list will remain in effect for at least one year. Screening of applicants will be conducted on the basis of application and required supplemental application submitted. Only those candidates showing the strongest backgrounds on the basis of comparative analysis will be invited to the examination process. Based on the number of applications accepted, the selection procedure may be changed. In the event a revision is necessary, the affected persons will be notified.

If you have not received notification within two weeks of filing, please contact the Civil Service Department at (562) 570-7008.

EQUITY AND INCLUSION

The City of Long Beach is committed to creating a workplace where every employee is valued for who they are. Having our workforce reflect the diversity of our community at various levels of the organization is a continuous goal embraced by our departments, management staff, and policymakers. To support efforts of fairness and diversity, City Leadership is committed to incorporating equity and inclusion into our work by supporting staff and community partners. We are committed to promoting transparency by publishing updated demographic information for employees, including workforce diversity data and pay by race and gender.

The City of Long Beach will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You are not required to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until you receive a conditional job offer. If the City of Long Beach has concerns about a conviction that is directly related to the job after making a conditional job offer and conducting a background check, you will have the opportunity to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide evidence to mitigate concerns, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting https://calcivilrights.ca.gov/fair-chance-act

In support of the City's Language Access Policy, bilingual skills (Spanish, Khmer, and/or Tagalog) are desirable for positions interacting with the public.

This position is eligible for Local Hiring Preferences and Veterans Preference Points. Learn more about available preferences and eligibility criteria here: www.longbeach.gov/jobs/working-for-the-city/hiring-preferences . This information is available in an alternative format by request at (562) 570-7008. If special accommodation is desired, please contact the Human Resources Department two (2) business days prior to the test at (562) 570-7008. An Equal Opportunity Employer.

J.O.B. J24AN-26 G:AL 12/22/2025

Employee Benefits

The City of Long Beach offers its employees opportunities to grow personally and professionally.As a permanent employee, you are eligible to receive fringe benefits that include:

• Medical and Dental Insurance

• Life Insurance

• Retirement Plan (P.E.R.S.)

• Paid Vacation, Personal Holidays and Sick Leave

• Deferred Compensation

• Credit Union Membership

• Free Bus Transportation (Long Beach Transit)

• Flexible Spending Accounts

• Free Employee Parking
• Paid Parental Leave*
*Paid Parental Leave - after six (6) months of City employment; up to 30 calendar days (160 hours/192 hours for sworn platoon) of PPL, taken in full-day increments, in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster placement of a child, up to the age of seventeen (17).

Closing Date/Time: 1/5/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

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• City of Long Beach

• 5625707057

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