Job Description

Posting number: 3141 O 2026/08/21 R

Department: ALL DEPARTMENTS

Job classification: GARDENER CARETAKER

Posting type: Open

Categories: Parks and Beaches, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation, Miscellaneous, Parks, Maintenance, Grounds & Landscaping

$54,538 to $75,543

The salary in the Department of Water and Power is $56,939 to $70,741 and $66,899 to $83,123

NOTES

1. Candidates from the eligible list are normally appointed to vacancies in the lower pay grade positions.
2. Annual salary is at the start of the pay range. The current salary range is subject to change. Please confirm the starting salary with the hiring department before accepting a job offer.
3. For information regarding reciprocity between the City of Los Angeles departments and LADWP, go to http://per.lacity.org/Reciprocity_CityDepts_and_DWP.pdf

A Gardener Caretaker does gardening, landscape construction, and maintenance work in parks, playgrounds, Citywide traffic islands, medians, slopes, grade separations and other landscaped areas.

NOTE

Gardener Caretakers may be required to work weekends and holidays and can be reassigned to work any location in the City. They may be required to work overtime and in bad weather.

Examples of duties

1. Two years of full-time paid gardening experience; or
2. 1040 hours of paid experience as a Special Program Assistant involved in performing gardening, park maintenance or landscape work for the City of Los Angeles.

Completion of 12 semester or 18 quarter units from an accredited college or university in gardening, agriculture, or horticulture may be substituted for one-year of full-time paid experience lacking in Requirement #1. Applicants must list their school name and location, course titles with the number of semester or quarter units, and completion dates in the Supplemental Questions Section of the on-line application at the time of filing.

PROCESS NOTES

1. As a condition of employment, a valid Class C driver’s license issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is required at the time of appointment. Applicants will be disqualified or deemed ineligible for hire if their DMV record reflects three or more moving violations and/or at-fault accidents, or a conviction of a major moving violation within the last 36 months in any state or jurisdiction. The City of Los Angeles reserves the right to issue a notice of disqualification or ineligibility at any time before a final job offer is extended.
2. Vocational Workers - Gardener Caretakers with the City of Los Angeles filing under Requirement #1 and applicants filing under Requirement #2 must submit a copy of their City of Los Angeles “Verification of Work Experience” (VWE) form with the required signatures, verifying their experience performing gardening, park maintenance or landscape work. The form may be downloaded at http://per.lacity.org/exams/vwe-sup.pdf Applicants may attach the completed VWE form to their on-line application at the time of filing, or will have seven (7) calendar days from the on-line submission date to e-mail a copy of their completed VWE form to per.appdocs@lacity.org The subject line of your e-mail must include the exam title, your name and indication it is a VWE. In the body of your e-mail, you must also include your first and last name, last four digits of your Social Security Number and contact phone number. Applicants who fail to submit their signed VWE form within the time required will not be considered further in this examination and their applications will not be processed.
3. Please note that qualifying education must be from a college or university accredited by a City of Los Angeles recognized agency. A list of approved accrediting agencies can be found at https://personnel.lacity.gov/Accredited%20Institutions%2008-21-08.pdf
4. Candidates completing the examination process and using course work to substitute for the required experience may be contacted by the Personnel Department to provide required proof of qualifying coursework. Applicants who wish to expedite this process may attach a copy of their transcripts to their on-line application at the time of filing in the Attachments section.

Qualifications

Applications will only be accepted on-line. When you are viewing the on-line job bulletin of your choice, simply scroll to the top of the page and select the “Apply” icon. On-line job bulletins are also available at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/lacity

Applicants are urged to apply early to ensure you have time to resolve any technical issues you may encounter.

Applications must be received by THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 03, 2026

In accordance with Civil Service Rule 4.2, all applicants who apply may not be tested in this examination. To meet anticipated hiring needs, only a limited number of qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the selection process in the following order: 1) Applicants currently employed by the City of Los Angeles on a part-time or exempt basis who meet the minimum requirements; 2) Remaining applicants who meet the minimum requirements in sufficient numbers to meet hiring needs based on a random sampling of those qualified candidates. Applications submitted during the filing period may be kept on file in the event that additional applicants need to be tested to meet hiring needs.

Supplemental information

The examination consists entirely of a weighted multiple-choice test administered and proctored on-line. In the on-line multiple-choice test, the following competencies may be evaluated: Self-Management; Equipment Operation; Customer Service; Teamwork; Job Knowledge, including knowledge of: good watering practices; how to properly care for common types of plants, trees, grasses, and shrubs; the kinds of plants which should be planted in the types of climates in the Los Angeles area; proper storage uses and common types of hand and power gardening tools and equipment; how to operate power equipment safely; how to use basic cleaning agents and equipment; how to use tools and equipment safely; basic arithmetic; the ability to: identify common types of plants, trees, grasses, and shrubs; perform a variety of basic custodial tasks; read and understand route sheets, labels, soil amendments, and cleaning compounds; work as a member of a team; deal effectively and tactfully with the public; and other necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Additional information can be obtained by going to https://per.lacity.org/jobs/job-analyses.cfm and clicking on Competencies under Gardener Caretaker.

The multiple-choice test will be proctored and administered on-line during a single session. Candidates invited to participate in the on-line multiple-choice test will be able to take the test from a remote location (i.e., their home) using a computer with a webcam and a reliable internet connection. Candidates will receive an e-mail from the City of Los Angeles outlining the dates and specific steps on how to take the multiple-choice test on-line. It is anticipated that the remote proctored multiple-choice test will be administered between TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2026 and MONDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2026 Candidates who do not complete and submit the remote proctored multiple-choice test on-line using a computer by the specified date and time will not be considered further in this examination.

FAQs for on-line testing is available at https://per.lacity.org/faqs/employment-testing-process.html Candidates who do not have the required equipment may have the option to take the multiple-choice test onsite at a City facility.

NOTES

1. This examination is based on a validation study and, as provided by Civil Service Commission Rule 4.20, the multiple-choice test will not be subject to candidate inspection.
2. As a covered entity under the Fair Employment and Housing Act and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability and upon request, will provide reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access to its programs, services, and activities. To request a disability accommodation, please complete the Disability Accommodation Form within 14 calendar days of the submittal of the City application. The Disability Accommodation Form can be obtained at http://per.lacity.org/exams/verify_disability.pdf
3. Applications are accepted subject to review to ensure that minimum qualifications are met. Candidates may be disqualified at any time if it is determined that they do not possess the minimum qualifications stated on this bulletin.
4. Based on the Federal Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act of 1994, you may be required to undergo mandatory drug and alcohol testing prior to and during employment in this class.
5. The incumbents of some positions in this class may be required to pass an annual or periodic fitness evaluation to determine their eligibility for continued employment in this class.
6. A final average score of 70% is required to be placed on the eligible list.
7. In accordance with Civil Service Rule, Sec. 4.24, review periods may be combined. Candidates in the examination process may file protests as provided in Sec. 4.20, 4.22, 4.23 as applicable and within the required time frame; however, the Personnel Department may respond to and resolve protests prior to the establishment of the eligible list.

Notice

If you receive and accept an offer of employment to a regular position with the City of Los Angeles, your employee benefit coverage (including health and dental coverage as well as life insurance) will commence approximately six weeks after your original regular appointment. Not all positions in the City receive benefit coverage; you should inquire regarding the availability of employee benefits prior to accepting a position. All City employees are required to be Disaster Service Workers.

AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

For additional information and FAQs regarding the City's hiring process, please go to: https://per.lacity.org/faqs/employment-testing-process.html