Salary : $66,622.40 - $80,414.88 Annually
Location : Throughout the County of Santa Clara, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 25-H28-A
Department: Facilities Department
Opening Date: 03/10/2025
Closing Date: 3/24/2025 11:59 PM Pacific
Bargaining Unit: 03
DescriptionUnder supervision, to perform skilled gardening; to maintain landscape, including plant life and grounds of County facilities.
Typical Tasks - Supervises small crews and participates in the planting, cultivating, fertilizing, watering, spraying, pruning trimming and mowing of plants, shrubs, trees, hedges and lawns;
- Performs the more difficult tasks associated with the selection and care of gardens and landscapes, including, the planting, trimming, spraying and pruning of plants, trees, shrubs, hedges, flower beds, lawns, etc;
- Observes plant growth, diagnoses diseases, and determines effective treatment;
- Determines proper watering, fertilizing, spraying and pruning schedules;
- Selects and mixes sprays and fertilizers;
- Instructs others on the County Integrated Pest Management Policy and procedures, and correct application of sprays and fertilizers and the performance of pruning, trimming and other gardening tasks;
- Inspects and reviews the work of assigned crews;
- Installs small, simple irrigation systems such as drip irrigation systems;
- Performs incidental or small repairs to irrigation systems including, sprinkler head replacement, small cracks in lines and reprogramming of timers;
- Supervises crews in the picking up of trash and the sweeping and cleaning of parking lots, driveways, walkways and other paved areas;
- Confers with and acts as a liaison to County managers and landscaping experts regarding County-wide procedures and practices, to resolve problems and to make recommendations on sustainable landscaping practices;
- May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker, as required;
- Performs related work as required.
Employment StandardsSufficient education, training and experience to demonstrate the ability to perform the above tasks and attainment of the knowledge and abilities listed below.
Training and Experience Note: Possession of a high school diploma or equivalent and two (2) years of experience in the planting, care and maintenance of trees, shrubs, flowers, and lawns, utilizing sustainable landscaping practices. Education and/or experience in basic computer usage.
Special Requirements:Possession of a California Drivers license prior to appointment and the ability to qualify for and maintain a County Drivers Permit.
Possession of Qualified Applicator Certificate may be required for some positions.
Possession of certification and/or experience in any of the following areas is highly desirable: operation, installation and repair of irrigation equipment, sustainable landscaping, arboriculture, permaculture, xeriscape, organic gardening and/or integrated pest management.
Knowledge of:- Growing characteristics, pruning, fertilizing, and common diseases of types of plants commonly utilized around buildings in this area;
- Proper planting, cultivating, pruning and care of trees, shrubs, flowers and lawns;
- Sustainable landscaping best practices;
- Common plant diseases and their treatments;
- Irrigation and timer installation, programming, maintenance and repair; proper seasonal setting of timers and associated systems to encourage water conservation;
- Common safety practices, especially those associated with landscaping and the use of powered and motorized equipment;
- Proper use, care and maintenance of tools and equipment used in gardening, landscaping and related grounds maintenance;
- Basic computer operation, such as email, internet navigation, and document filing/retrieval.
Ability to:- Properly trim and prune shrubs and trees and care for landscape;
- Identify plants, the health of plants and determine resources to maintain healthy ecosystems, particularly in the area of sustainable landscaping practices;
- Install, modify, program, maintain, diagnose problems and repair irrigation plumbing and timing systems;
- Read, develop and follow schematics, plans and diagrams associated with irrigation systems and landscaping;
- Set and adjust irrigation timers and flow rates;
- Use mechanical, powered and motorized landscaping equipment;
- Work effectively as part of a team;
- Train and supervise others in proper landscaping and gardening procedures and techniques;
- Ensure safety of workers;
- Perform basic repair and maintenance of gardening equipment and tools;
- Use a computer effectively.
Physical Requirements - Lift up to fifty (50) pounds;
- Climb ladders, crouch, stoop and work outside in all weather conditions.
The County offers comprehensive first-class medical, dental, and vision benefits plans for County employees and their dependents, including plans with no deductibles, no co-pays, no co-insurance, and no prescription drug co-pays.
Learn more The County also offers generous paid time off with significant vacation, sick time, and 13 paid County holidays annually! Details are included in the with the bargaining unit applicable to the job classification.
In addition to the amazing perks above, the County also offers the additional benefits below.
Retirement BenefitsThe County offers robust retirement plans including a (similar to the private sector's 401(k) plan) and the In addition to lifetime retirement income available through the CalPERS pension plan, the 457(b) Deferred Compensation plan provides a great way to save for retirement and supplement the defined benefit pension available to employees. These plans help our employees build a plan for their future and contribute to their family's long-term financial well-being.
Health Flexible Spending AccountThe empowers employees to manage healthcare expenses efficiently with tax-free contributions (up to $3,200 for the 2024 calendar year). Secure tax-free solutions for your healthcare expenses and enjoy the flexibility to manage your healthcare finances effectively with the HFSA.
Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP)The enables employees to utilize tax-free funds for dependent care services, facilitating a convenient and cost-effective approach for managing your dependent care expenses. The County also offers the , an employer-funded DCAP, for employees with annual income under $120,000.
Life and AD&DThe County offers life and disability benefits including , Insurance, These benefits ensure financial security and income support when you and your family need it most.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)The County prioritizes employee mental health and well-being and offers a top-tier through Concern providing confidential counseling sessions covering stress, anxiety, relationships, grief, as well as financial/legal services, personal coaching, child and elder care referrals, and comprehensive crisis support.
Employee WellnessThe offers free wellness programing, fitness classes and resources; including Elevate My Wellness an all-in-one platform designed to elevate your well-being journey.
Education ReimbursementA generous program is available, including Education Reimbursement for employees seeking additional training and professional development.
NOTE: Benefit and Retirement information may vary from bargaining unit to bargaining unit. Due to changes in State Law, current pension provisions described in the union contracts are not automatically applied. Specific pension benefits for new hires who start on or after January 1, 2013 may be different than indicated in the union contracts.
Click here to access all Memoranda of Understanding and most recent Summary of Changes.
01
Please answer the following questions. Completion of the following supplemental questions is
REQUIRED and is an integral part of the evaluation process. Initially, it will be used to determine minimum qualifications. For those applicants meeting the employment standards, this information will be critical in the subsequent competitive assessment to identify those candidates to be invited to continue in the examination process. Your responses to the questions may also be reviewed and scored in a Competitive Rating evaluation process based on pre-determined rating criteria. Your answers should be as complete as possible, as no additional information will be accepted from applicants once the Competitive Rating evaluation has begun. A response of
"see resume" or
"see application" will deem your application incomplete.
Include a detailed description of your work experience in the following format for EACH employer referenced, in each answer:
a) Employer name(s)
b) Job title(s)
c) Start/end dates of employment
d) Total hours worked per week
e) Description of task(s) performedDo you understand the requirement to provide complete answers in order to determine relevant experience for each area in question? 02
Do you possess a high school diploma or GED equivalent?
03
Describe your education and/or experience in basic computer usage. If none, type "N/A".
Include in your response:
a) Employer name(s)
b) Job title(s)
c) Start/end dates of employment (Month/Year)
d) Total hours worked per week
e) Description of task(s) performedIf no experience, please type N/A.
04
How many years of experience do you possess in the planting, care, and maintenance of trees, shrubs, flowers, and lawns?
- None
- Less than one year
- One to less than two years
- Two to less than three years
- Three to less than four years
- Four to less than five years
- Five to less than six years
- Six years or more
05
Describe your work experience in the planting, care, and maintenance of trees, shrubs, flowers, and lawns.
Include in your response:
a) Employer name(s)
b) Job title(s)
c) Start/end dates of employment (Month/Year)
d) Total hours worked per week
e) Description of task(s) performedIf no experience, please type N/A.
06
Describe your experience utilizing sustainable landscaping practices relevant to the work experience indicated in Q5.
Include in your response:
a) Employer name(s)
b) Job title(s)
c) Start/end dates of employment (Month/Year)
d) Total hours worked per week
e) Description of task(s) performedIf no experience, please type N/A.
07
Describe your experience working with irrigation systems, including the installation, maintenance, and repair of sprinklers, valves, and controllers. Please explain the types of irrigation systems and controllers you have worked with.
Include in your response:
a) Employer name(s)
b) Job title(s)
c) Start/end dates of employment (Month/Year)
d) Total hours worked per week
e) Description of task(s) performedIf no experience, please type N/A.
08
Please indicate if you possess certifications in any of the following areas. Check all that apply.
Please attach a copy of your certification to your application. If none, type "N/A".
- Sustainable landscaping
- Permaculture
- Xeriscape
- Arboriculture
- Organic gardening
- Integrated pest management
- Other
- None of the above
09
If you indicated "other" in Q8, please provide the name of the certification.
Please attach a copy of your certification to your application. If none, type "N/A".
10
Please indicate if you possess experience with any of the following motorized equipment listed below. Check all that apply.
- Ride-on-mowers
- Tillers
- Backhoe
- Tractor
- None of the above
- Other
11
If you indicated "other" in Q10, please describe the type of motorized equipment you have experience with.
12
Please describe your experience with the motorized equipment selected in Q10 and Q11.
Include in your response:
a) Employer name(s)
b) Job title(s)
c) Start/end dates of employment (Month/Year)
d) Total hours worked per week
e) Description of task(s) performedIf no experience, please type N/A.
13
Do you possess a Qualified Applicator Certificate? If yes, please attach a copy of your certificate to your application.
14
Do you understand and agree to possess a valid California Driver's License prior to appointment, and the ability to qualify for and maintain a County Driver's Permit?
15
Incumbents working in a locked facility must be able to obtain and maintain a Department of Correction Security Clearance. Do you understand and agree to this requirement?
16
With or without an accommodation, are you able to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, stand, walk, push, pull, grasp, and lift up to fifty (50) pounds in all weather conditions?
17
How did you find out about this job?
- Contacted by County Recruiter
- Contacted by a Recruitment Firm
- County Employee Referral
- County of Santa Clara Career Website
- County of Santa Clara Job Interests Email Notification
- Facebook
- Instagram
- LinkedIn
- Indeed
- Virtual Job Fair
- In Person Job Fair
- In-Person Networking Professional Event
- Virtual Networking Event
- Community Event
- Glassdoor
- Governmentjobs.com
- Professional Association
- Search Engine (Google, Bing, online search, etc.)
- Hospital Website: SCVMC, O'Connor Hospital, St. Louise Regional Hospital Website
- Handshake
- Student Career Center
- County Text Message
- Other (Specify in the next question)
18
If you selected an event/fair or other in the question above, please specify. If not, type n/a.
19
I certify that statements made in this questionnaire are true and complete.
Required Question
