Gardener II

The City of Oakland is an equal-opportunity employer that values workforce diversity, inclusion, and equity. Oakland has a long history of activism around issues of justice and equity. Both oppression and this resistance to oppression have shaped the city’s historical roots and the lives of its residents to this day. As public servants in one of the most diverse cities in the nation, we strive to develop employees who understand the harm and impacts of systemic inequity to create lasting, meaningful outcomes for everyone. Oakland strives to establish an environment that embraces the richness of culture, community, and individualism of employees.   

The City of Oakland is looking for sixteen (16) Gardener II's to fill vacancies in the Oakland Public Works Department - Parks and Tree Services Division. 

The ideal candidate will be an enthusiastic team player who follows through on job assignments and can work independently when needed, is eager to learn a variety of landscape maintenance techniques and has an interest in long-term professional development. Parks and Tree Services is looking for a Gardener II to maintain the landscaped parks, gardens, city facility exteriors, synthetic soccer fields, sport facilities, medians and green spaces within the City of Oakland. This position is ideal for people who enjoy being outside and in nature, like learning about plant care, and have an eye for detail. The ideal candidate will also demonstrate a solid work ethic, including a strong commitment to maintaining the City's landscapes.

We are looking for someone who:

• Is an enthusiastic team player
• Can follow directions to complete assignments and work independently when needed
• Can perform a variety of landscape maintenance tasks
• Has good time management skills
• Has integrity and a good work ethic
• Is eager to learn and has an interest in long term professional development

What you will typically be responsible for:

• Maintaining landscaped parks, gardens, sports fields, and green spaces
• Working as part of a crew or independently, as assigned.
• Operating a variety of vehicles and equipment
• Helping train assigned personnel, and transporting staff to and from project sites
• Performing complex gardening and horticultural assignments

* Read the complete job description by clicking on the link below:
Gardener II Class Specification

A few reasons you might love this job:

• You enjoy being outdoors and in nature
• You have a passion for teamwork
• There are many opportunities to showcase your talents
• You have an eye for detail and take pride in your work
• You have a strong commitment to maintaining the City of Oakland landscapes

A few challenges you might face in this job:

• Unsheltered in and around park assets
• Illegal dumping and vandalism
• Staffing levels are constantly changing

Competencies Required:

• Action and Results Focused (Taking Initiative) - Initiating tasks and focusing on accomplishment
• Adaptability - Responding positively to change and modifying behavior as the situation requires
• Attention to Detail - Focusing on the details of work content, work steps, and final work products
• Customer Focus - Attending to the needs and expectations of customers
• Displaying Ownership and Accountability - Holding self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results
• Mechanical Insight - Comprehending how mechanical, electrical, and structural systems operate and interact
• Safety Focus - Showing vigilance and care in identifying and addressing health risks and safety hazards
• Teamwork - Collaborating with others to achieve shared goals
  
  * Click on the link below to see a video on what it's like to work for the City of Oakland!

Working for the City of Oakland   

The Recruitment Process:

The City of Oakland works with a Civil Service system. Applicants apply online, and HR staff review their experience, education, and training listed on the application against the “minimum qualifications” listed for the position.

Candidates who demonstrate that they meet the minimum qualification requirements are then invited to participate in an assessment process (or testing) to measure their knowledge, skills, and abilities in job related areas.  For this recruitment, all qualified applicants will be invited to the performance exam (job simulation exercise). You will be notified two weeks prior to the date of the performance exam. The tentative date of the performance exam is the week of May 15, 2023. 

Candidates who pass each stage in the process will be placed on an eligible list. Some candidates may receive extra points, for example if you are a Veteran with an honorable discharge, or if you are a current City of Oakland resident. If you’re applying to a “restricted” posting and you are eligible as a current City employee, you may also receive additional points for your City service. Extra points are only applied to passing scores, so if you do not pass every element of the testing process, you cannot use extra points to pass. 

What's in it for you?

Salary : $57,470 - $70,408