Gardener

City-of-Seattle; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 47,000 - 51,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Job summary

The City of Seattle is hiring a Gardener to maintain and enhance landscapes across Seattle. This role participates in grounds maintenance, operating landscape tools, and supporting the Grounds Maintenance Team within SPU.

It involves on-site work, driving between sites, and collaborating with crews to ensure healthy green spaces. Ideal candidates will have at least two years of landscape experience, a WA pesticide license within a year, and a valid WA Driver License.

Qualifications

• Two years of landscape construction or maintenance experience.
• WA Public Pesticide operator's license within 1 year of hire.
• Must hold a valid WA State Driver License at appointment.
• Physical and Written Test required; in-person interview for successful candidates.

Responsibilities

• Transplant and prune trees and shrubs; bed maintenance.
• Mow, aerate, fertilize, and sod install lawns.
• Plant beds with annuals, perennials, and ground cover.
• Apply pesticides following safety regulations; keep records.

Skills

Trailer operation

Ride-on mower

Irrigation systems

Pesticide handling

Education

Two years landscape experience

Tools

Weed trimmers

Hedge trimmers

Backpack blowers

Chain saws

Walk-behind mowers

Zero-turn mowers

Slope mowers

Job description

Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is seeking a Gardener to help maintain the landscapes that keep Seattle vibrant, healthy, and welcoming. In this journey-level role, you’ll perform skilled gardening and landscaping, working either independently at remote sites or as part of the Grounds Maintenance Team within the Drainage and Wastewater Line of Business. Your care for Seattle’s green spaces will support a cleaner, safer, and more resilient city for everyone who calls it home.

About Seattle Public Utilities: Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is a community-centered utility that delivers vital services to Seattle residents and businesses including drinking water, drainage and wastewater, and garbage/recycling/compost. SPU also provides drinking water for 1.5 million customers in the region. SPU’s work includes system maintenance and improvements and keeping Seattle clean. Over 1,500 SPU employees work with our community to provide affordable and equitable stewardship of our water and waste resources for future generations.

For more information about Seattle Public Utilities (SPU), check out the:

• SPU Website
• SPU Workplace Expectations
• Strategic Business Plan

SPU commits to Our City Values and Race and Social Justice as core principles that guide our work. We actively take steps to dismantle systemic racism and increase service equity. We value diverse life experiences and strive to create a workplace that is welcoming to all. We take steps to be inclusive and equitable in our recruiting, hiring and promotional opportunities.

Why join our team?

We know work isn’t only about what you do it’s also about who you work for and with! SPU provides a fun and family-friendly work environment that supports a work life balance, including:

• Hybrid work schedule opportunities (As Appropriate)
• Family-friendly and multicultural work environment
• Generous benefits package
• Free Orca Pass
• City pension plan with employer/employee contributions
• Growth potential and advancement opportunities

*Please note this job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.

• Transplant and prune trees and shrubs; prepare, plant, and maintain planting beds
• Seed and maintain lawn areas, including mowing, aerating, fertilizing, and sod installation
• Perform tree and shrub planting, including balling and burlapping; rototill topsoil; grade and prepare new lawn areas; plant ground cover; design and install flower beds with annuals, biennials, and perennials
• Apply pesticides in accordance with safety regulations; operate spraying equipment and maintain detailed records of applications
• Maintain and repair irrigation systems
• Provide training and guidance to temporary gardeners
• Operate motor vehicles to, from, and between job sites, including towing small equipment trailers
• Use landscape power equipment such as weed trimmers, hedge trimmers, backpack blowers, chain saws, walk‑behind edgers/mowers, zero‑turn mowers, and slope mowers
• Maintain a variety of operational records and prepare reports as needed
• Work as part of landscape construction, landscape maintenance, or street tree planting and maintenance crews

Education/Experience:

Minimum of two years' work experience in landscape construction or maintenance, or in the propagation and maintenance of flowers, plants, shrubs, and trees at a conservatory, greenhouse, or nursery (Combinations of education, training and experience will be evaluated on an individual basis for comparability).

Licensing, Certifications and Other Requirements:

• Washington Public Pesticide operator's license is required within 1 (one) year of hire
• At the time of appointment must hold a valid Washington State Driver License
• A Physical and Written Test will be required for those selected. Those who pass will be invited to an interview
• This position works an in‑person, 4/10 schedule (Tuesday‑Friday) at various locations (dispatched daily)

Ideal Candidate Profile:

• Ability to properly secure and operate a trailer pulling equipment
• Ability to operate riding mowers and landscape equipment/tools
• Ability to identify plants and weeds native to western Washington State
• Experience working with pesticides (handling, application, storage)
• Ability to maintain and repair irrigation systems

Who may apply:

The City of Seattle encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experience. This position is open to all qualified candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

The full hourly range for this position is $34.32 - $37.06

Position Details:

As a part of this application process, the most competitive candidates will be invited to take a working test, and interview. Candidates will also be required to submit a Full Driver’s Abstract from the Department of Licensing.

Benefits:

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long‑term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits