Application Open: July 13, 2022
Application Deadline: Open until filled
Compensation: $75,088 - $102,882 Annually
Contact: Ian Talley at [email protected]

Appointment Type: Permanent-Exempt (PEX) Appointment. Pursuant to the City & County of San Francisco Charter, Section 10.104.13. Any person occupying a position under exempt appointment shall not be subject to civil service selection, appointment, and removal procedures. Exempt employees shall serve at the pleasure of the appointing officer.

Amid a dynamic and ever-evolving urban landscape, the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department stewards one of the premier urban park systems in America.  San Francisco recently became the first city in the United States for which 100% of its residents live within a ten-minute walk of a park.  Considered by San Franciscans to be one of the City’s most popular and effective public agencies, our Department manages and maintains more than 225 parks, playgrounds, and open spaces in San Francisco, including two outside of city limits: Sharp Park in Pacifica and Camp Mather in the High Sierras. Our 4,100- acre system includes 25 recreation centers, 9 swimming pools, 5 golf courses and numerous athletic facilities, including sports courts, ball diamonds, soccer fields and gymnasiums. Included in the department’s responsibilities are Golden Gate Park, Coit Tower, the Marina Yacht Harbor, the Palace of Fine Arts, and TPC Harding Park golf course.

More than 2,000 talented individuals are part of our team, from gardeners, foresters, and recreation leaders to park rangers, custodians, electricians, painters and more. Our core mission, as it has been throughout our history, is to provide opportunities for San Francisco residents and visitors alike to gather, play, learn, relax, and enjoy nature in the city.

Urban Forestry Section
The Urban Forestry Section consists primarily of Arborist Technician, Gardeners and General Laborers responsible for maintaining over 131,000 trees on 4,196 acres of public parkland in City parks, identified Natural Areas and public golf courses. Major sites include Golden Gate Park and Stern Grove. 

Under general supervision, the Arborist Technician (3434) performs duties involving the maintenance and removal of trees and other vegetation. The essential functions of this position include, but are not limited to:

• Assesses and evaluates condition of trees and other vegetation; maintains tree inventories;
• Climbs up trees and/or using aerial lift equipment to reach dead, damaged or unwanted limbs or tree tops for removal and pruning, or for purposes of complete tree removal;
• Performs various types of rigging in connection with this work; operates chain and hand saws, aerial ladder truck, chipper, and other equipment. with cranes, skitters, tractors and other heavy equipment;
• Prepares brush for disposal, operating chipper and driving aerial lift equipment vehicles, heavy loader trucks or other required vehicles;
• Drives heavy equipment; and
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Nature of the work: This position involves exposure to a high risk of physical injury to the employee and constant vigilance to public safety. Positions in this job code require considerable physical demands, manual dexterity with frequent exposure to arduous and disagreeable working conditions, including inclement weather.

Camp Mather Assignment Requirement: This position will be required to temporarily live and perform duties at Camp Mather, a campground operated by the Recreation and Parks Department, located in the Sierra Mountains near Yosemite. Camp Mather work crew assignments typically lasts between two (2) and eight (8) weeks, twice a year, during the spring and fall seasons before and after Camp Mather season. Additional work periods at Camp Mather may be required. Room and board is provided at Camp Mather and a REC vehicle is supplied.

Experience: Three (3) years of verified journey-level experience as a tree work professional. Duties must have included climbing trees of considerable height for the purpose of removing tree limbs, treetops or entire tree in accordance with safety standards. Experience in pruning trees from a ladder is not qualifying experience.

Education: Possession of a high school diploma or equivalent (GED or High School Proficiency Examination).

License and Certification:
Possession of a valid California Class C driver’s license at the time of application; AND
Possession of a valid California Class B driver’s license with no air brakes restriction is required upon completion of the probationary period.

Substitution: Successful completion of an Arborist Technician Apprenticeship Program approved and registered with the California Division of Apprenticeship Standards.

Note: The above minimum qualifications are under review by the Civil Service Commission and may differ for subsequent job announcements posted for this classification.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Possession of a Certified Arborist certificate; and
• Completion of an accredited Arborist training program

Verification of Education and Experience:
Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. More information can be found at: https://sfdhr.org/information-about-hiring-process#verication

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

Information About The Hiring Process
Position Based Testing Information
Conviction History
Employee Benefits Overview 
Equal Employment Opportunity 
Disaster Service Worker
ADA Accommodation
Veterans Preference
Right to Work
Copies of Application Documents
Diversity Statement

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.

Race and Social Equity Statement
We believe that parks and open space in San Francisco provides the opportunity to model equitable access for all.  With this belief, San Francisco became the first city in the United States for which 100% of its residents live within a ten-minute walk of a park. The Recreation and Park Department’s goal is to close the gaps and improve equity and access to quality parks and open space, and recreation activities for historically marginalized communities.  

We envision a department that proactively infuses racial and social equity in its internal operations.  With a multi-disciplinary team of talented individuals - gardeners, recreation leaders, park rangers, custodians, craft shop personnel, park and recreation managers and more, the department is committed to doing its part to provide equitable access to parks and programs for all the communities we serve to enjoy, as well as foster a work environment where our differences are celebrated, and everyone has what they need to thrive regardless of their race, age, ability, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or country of origin.

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.