JOB INFORMATION

See NOTE(S) below for future wage increases and/or additional compensation opportunities.

Nursery Gardener positions propagate plants from cuttings, seeds, spores, and by budding and grafting; collect seeds, cuttings, and spores from established plants at the proper developmental stage for propagation; cultivate, spray, trim, prune, stake, fertilize, water, and transplant plants; prepare various mixtures of soil and other ingredients; identify and report plant diseases; position plants properly to achieve the most favorable light, temperature, and humidity conditions for particular species; arrange plants and flower displays; answer questions from the public; train and lead other employees; keep records and prepare reports; and perform other duties as assigned.

NOTES:

• Employees in job classifications represented by AFSME Local 127 are scheduled to receive the following general wage increases:
  2% effective 1/1/25
  5% effective 7/1/25
• Eligible benefitted employees originally hired on or after July 10, 2021, will be automatically enrolled in the San Diego City Employees Retirement System (SDCERS).

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Two years of full-time experience in the propagation and care of a variety of plants in a nursery production operation which MUST include watering, fertilization, transplanting, and pest control of trees, shrubs, ground covers, and container nursery stock.
• An Associate’s Degree or higher in Nursery/Landscape Technology, Ornamental Horticulture, or a Community College certificate in a closely related field (e.g., Landscape Design, Landscape Horticulture, Nursery or Landscape Occupations).
• One year of full-time experience working at a nursery performing the full range of nursery production duties as described in option 1 AND 30 semester/45 quarter college-level units in Nursery/Landscape Technology, Ornamental Horticulture, or in a closely related field (e.g., Landscape Design, Landscape Horticulture, Nursery or Landscape Occupations).

NOTE:

• City of San Diego employees using Out-of-Class Assignment (OCA) experience to qualify must submit written documentation signed by their appointing authority or payroll specialist, detailing the work performed, dates, and total number of qualifying OCA hours. OCA experience without the required documentation will NOT be considered.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS (MUST SUBMIT WITH APPLICATION):

• Proof of degree/transcripts or certificate, if utilized to meet the minimum requirements.
• For City of San Diego employees, proof of Out-of-class Assignment (OCA), if used to meet the minimum requirements.

SCREENING PROCESS

Please ensure all information is complete and accurate as the responses you provide on the supplemental questions will be reviewed using an automated evaluation system. If you are successful in this initial screening process, your application will be reviewed for applicable education, experience, and/or training to ensure all minimum requirements have been met. Successful candidates will be placed on a list which will be used to fill position vacancies during the next six months (180 days). For each vacancy, only those candidates with the most appropriate qualifications will be contacted by the hiring department for an interview.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS: Employment offers are conditional pending the results of all screening processes applicable to this position, which may include the following: confirmation of citizenship or legal right to work in the United States; completion of a pre-employment medical review and exam (which may include drug and alcohol testing); reference checks; and fingerprinting. Fingerprints will be submitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the California Department of Justice for a conviction record report. Certain positions may require additional screening processes, which may include a polygraph examination and/or background investigation. All of these processes must be successfully completed before employment begins. A positive test for alcohol, cannabis/marijuana, illegal drugs, or inadequately explained prescription drugs, or misrepresentation, falsification, or omission of pertinent facts in any step of the screening or selection process, may be cause for disqualification or termination of employment. Nothing in this job posting constitutes an express or implied contract for employment with the City of San Diego. Candidates must notify the Personnel Department of any change in their name, mailing address, email address, or phone number, otherwise they may miss employment opportunities.