3410 Apprentice Gardener - Apprenticeship Application Information

About the Apprentice Gardener Position: The Apprentice Gardener position is a hands-on training role that supports the care and maintenance of parks and natural areas while building skills through supervised, on-the-job learning.

Applicants should note this is a joint recruitment and candidates may be selected for employment with either the San Francisco Recreation & Park Department or the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission/ Natural Resources and Lands Management Division depending on departmental hiring needs. Applicants selected through this recruitment will be placed with either department based on operational need and may not select placement location.

About the San Francisco Recreation & Parks Department: The San Francisco Recreation & Parks Department manages a nationally renowned, 4,100-acre park system with more than 225 parks and facilities, providing spaces for residents and visitors to gather, play, and enjoy nature.

About the Natural Resources and Lands Management Division: The Natural Resources and Lands Management Division of the SFPUC oversees 61,000 acres of watershed lands and ensures ecological stewardship and environmental compliance to support reliable water service for 2.7 million customers.

ALL APPLICANTS MUST SUBMIT VERIFICATION OF MEETING THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS.

• Application Opening: April 29, 2026
• Application Deadline: May 7, 2026 at 5:00 PM
• Verification Deadline: May 11, 2026 at 5:00 PM

All applicants must submit verification of meeting the minimum qualifications.

1. ***Meet admission and eligibility requirements for enrollment at City College of San Francisco as follows https://www.ccsf.edu/admissions-recordsregistration/credit-admission:
   
   a. You must be eighteen (18) years old on or before the first day of instruction for the term which you are applying; or
   
   b. You are a high school graduate; or
   
   c. You are the equivalent of a high school graduate, i.e., you have passed GED or a state's high school proficiency examination; or
   
   d. You completed a minimum of 120 high school credits and have submitted a permission/consent form. Please visit the High School Programs page for more information.
   
   AND
   
2. Possession of a valid California (Class C) driver's license.

***NOTE: If selected for this program, participants must be registered with City College of San Francisco and enrolled in OH50 Introduction to Environmental Horticulture.

WORKING CONDITIONS: The nature of the work may require exposure to inclement weather conditions and may require exposure to hazardous conditions and/or materials which may include feces and/or urine, used syringes, etc. Some positions require safe driving of large trucks or vans. Some positions may require riding mowers and driving small utility vehicles. Some positions may require heavy lifting up to 50 lbs. Some positions may require weekend or shift work.

The stated desirable qualifications may be used to identify job finalists at the end of the selection process when candidates are referred for hiring.

• Six (6) months (1,040 hours) of verifiable experience in the care and maintenance of landscaped general ground areas or as a journey-level tradesperson in construction or industrial field;
• A good driving record (An applicant will be considered a negligent driver and may be disqualified if the driving record shows: 6 or more violation points in the last 12 months; 8 or more violation points in the last 24 months; or 10 or more violation points in the last 36 months. The months will be calculated from the date the report was requested.)
• Verifiable experience in a physically demanding position (e.g., gardening assistant, laborer, restaurant work, stock room work, construction etc.)
• Ability to safely and correctly lift, drag, and/or move with assistance, large and/or heavy plants and equipment to truck bed level, and the ability to kneel, bend and squat for considerable periods of time. (The probationary period will be used to evaluate this qualification.);
• New or continuing student status at City College of San Francisco.

Step 1

Interested applicants are encouraged to apply online no later than Thursday, May 7, 2026, by 5:00 PM.

Step 2

Complete and submit all verification documents as requested no later than Monday, May 11, 2026, by 5:00 PM.

Verification documents requested are as follows:

1. Verification of meeting eligibility and entrance criteria for enrollment in City College of San Francisco (i.e. copy of high school diploma, certificate of completion/GED, bachelor's degree, or college transcripts, etc.); AND
2. Verification of valid California Class C Driver's License - Applicants must submit a legible copy of their driver's license with photograph clear and visible; AND
3. DRIVING HISTORY RECORD PRINTOUT - Applicants are required to submit an original Department of Motor Vehicles driving history record printout. The printout is available from any Department of Motor Vehicles office or online. The printout must be current, dated within one month of the date when requested. The printout must be complete and state the word “End” on the final page of the printout. Applicants who do not submit the DMV printout will not be allowed to move forward in the selection process.

INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO SEND VERIFICATION DOCUMENTS AS A COMPLETE PACKET:

• Scan and attach all verification documents to your application.
• Label all attached documents (i.e., driver's license, HS diploma, DMV history, etc.)
• DO NOT USE U.S. Mail or hand delivery. Verification materials submitted by US mail or hand delivery will not be accepted.

NOTE: Failure to complete ALL steps above will be considered as INCOMPLETE and will be disqualified.

Applicants selected to advance in the selection process MUST be available to participate in a written, performance, and oral assessment administered tentatively the week of June 4, 2026. More specific information (final date/time) will be provided to individuals if invited to advance in this process.

• Obtaining high school diplomas from SFUSD
• Obtaining transcripts from City College of San Francisco
• Request Your Driver’s Record – California DMV