Contact: For questions about this position or how to apply, please contact Shawnda McBeth at [email protected]

Application Opening - July 1, 2022
Application Deadline - July 15, 2022
Compensation: $119,002 Annually (flat-rate)

About the Recreation and Park Department
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.

About the  Golden Gate Park Nursery

The Golden Gate Park Nursery is a historic nursery that originally dates back to 1870 and the founding of Golden Gate Park. It is a 6.7 acre site that includes growing grounds, greenhouse facilities and other growing structures. The site includes 6 greenhouses with approximately 28,000 square of space under glass. From it’s inception, the mission of the Golden Gate Park Nursery has been to provide the plants that sustain and restore RPD parkland which currently includes 230 parks on approximately 4100 acres. The facility produces a wide range of nursery stock including container plants, seasonal flowering plants, and a variety of other foliage, cut flower and display plants annually.

Under supervision of the 0923 Manager II, Assistant Superintendent of Golden Gate Park,  the Chief Nursery Specialist for the Golden Gate Park Nursery is required to:

1. Supervise the activities of Nursery Specialists, Gardeners, Apprentice Gardeners volunteers and others engaged in the propagation, production and cultivation of a wide range of nursery stock for the Departments diverse parkland, landscapes and facilities.
2. Determine the species and quantities of plants to be propagated and cultivated; makes determination as to temperature, soil mixture, irrigation requirements and other factors important to the propagation and cultivation of various plants.
3. Plans and calendars nursery crop production,  exhibits of seasonal flowering and foliage plants; prepares floral displays; arranges for exchange of plant material with other nurseries; uses discretion and consults with superiors and other departmental personnel in order to coordinate efforts and anticipate demand for various types of nursery stock. Coordinate with the Conservatory of Flowers and Botanical Garden for the propagation and production of plants for public exhibits at these sites.
4. Prepare and submit budget requests for supplies and equipment; inspect buildings, greenhouses and other property for damage and routine maintenance requirements; manages greenhouses and greenhouse environmental control systems; requests and direct repair work; supervise the maintenance of records of plant culture and other operations.
5. Implement an integrated pest management program (IPM) and nursery best management practices program to reduce pesticide usage, ensure disease prevention, and ensure high a quality, sustainable nursery production program.
6. Conduct tours for the general public, amateur and professional organizations, school groups ; provide training for staff and horticultural training programs; respond to questions from the public and staff members concerning plant care and propagation; coordinate gardening activities with volunteers various horticultural groups.
7. Enhance revenue though plant rental and sales to non-profit and other government agencies, this includes plant selection, labor cost estimation and evaluation, and coordination of delivery of plant materials.
8. Performs additional duties as required.

1. Four (4) years of professional experience in the propagation and culture of plants in a commercial or municipal nursery, greenhouse or conservatory environment; AND
2. Possession of valid Driver’s License; AND
3. Candidates who become eligible for appointment will be required to obtain a Qualified Applicator’s Certificate (QAC) or a Qualified Applicator’s License (QAL) from the State of California Department of Pesticide Regulation. Incumbents who fail to obtain this certificate or license with a six (6) month time period from the date of appointment will be separated from employment.

Substitution:

1. Possession of an Associate’s Degree in Horticulture, Agronomy or a related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required experience; OR

2. Possession of a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university with major course of study in Horticulture, Agronomy or related field may be substituted for up to two (2) years of required experience.

Desirable Qualifications: The stated desirable qualifications may be used to identify job finalists at the end of the selection process when applicants are referred for hiring:

• Bachelors or advanced degree in horticulture, plant propagation, plant science or related field.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the propagation and nursery production of Mediterranean climate and California native plants. Strong overall knowledge of these plants and their use in the landscape
• Demonstrated supervisory experience in a nursery, horticultural or landscape setting.
• Strong demonstrated knowledge of Integrated Pest Management principles and practices, including knowledge of plant pathogens and insect pests.

Verification of Experience and Education
Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. Failure to provide the required verification when requested may result in rejection of application and/or appointment in this class.  Refer to the following links for information on acceptable forms of verification:

Verification Guidelines: http://www.sfdhr.org/index.aspx?page=20#verification     
Education Verification: https://sfdhr.org/how-verify-education-requirements

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

Behavioral Consistency Questionnaire (Weight: 100%): 
Qualified candidates will be sent a Behavioral Consistency Questionnaire that must be completed by the set date. Candidates will be evaluated on their relative knowledge, skill and ability levels in job-related areas including, but not limited to, knowledge of: techniques, materials and equipment used in propagation, cultivation and installation of horticultural displays and landscapes; directing, delegating, and coordinating the work of a large and complex staff; principles and practices of supervision, including: motivating, training, disciplining, and evaluating the work of subordinate staff; disciplinary practices sufficient to discipline subordinate staff; preparation, management and monitoring of budgets and the development of short and long term work plans; and ability to: design horticultural displays and interior plant installations.

A passing score must be achieved on the Behavioral Consistency Questionnaire in order to be placed/ranked on the Eligible List. Candidate responses on the Behavioral Consistency Questionnaire cannot be changed once submitted. Candidates will be placed in rank order according to their final score on the Behavioral Consistency Questionnaire. 

Eligible List Duration: The duration of the eligible list resulting from this examination process will be of twelve (12) months, and may be extended with the approval of the Human Resources Director. 

To find Departments which use this classification, please see https://sfdhr.org/sites/default/files/documents/ASO-Level-Chart.pdf?documentID=21246. 

Certification Rule: The certification rule for the eligible list resulting from this examination will be Rule of 3 scores. Additional selection processes may be conducted by the hiring department prior to making final hiring decisions.

Exam Type: Combined Promotive and Entrance

Additional Information Regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco

• Conviction History
• Employee Benefits Overview  
• Equal Employment Opportunity 
• Disaster Service Worker
• ADA Accommodation
• Veterans Preference
• Right to Work
• Copies of Application Documents
• Diversity Statement

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.