Garden Caretaker Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $54,538.00 - $83,123.00 Annually
Location : CITY OF LOS ANGELES, CA
Job Type: FULL-TIME
Job Number: 3141 O 2026/08/21 R
Department: ALL DEPARTMENTS
Opening Date: 08/21/2026
Closing Date: 9/3/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
DUTIES
ANNUAL SALARY
$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.
REQUIREMENT(S)/MINIMUM QUALIFICATION(S)

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 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 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.

WHERE TO APPLY & APPLICATION DEADLINE
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
NOTE:
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.
SELECTION PROCESS
Examination Weight: Multiple-Choice Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100%
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 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 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
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.
THIS EXAMINATION IS TO BE GIVEN ONLYON AN OPEN COMPETITIVE BASIS
The City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, creed, color, ancestry, medical condition (cancer), or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.
AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
For additional information and FAQs regarding the City's hiring process, please go to:
There are many things to consider in a new employer. Visit the following webpage to view benefits the City of Los Angeles offers its employees:
01
To be PROPERLY AND PROMPTLY notified of the status of my application, I UNDERSTAND that I MUST provide on my City application, the following information:
-Working E-mail address
-Telephone Number
-Official social security number
I UNDERSTAND that I MUST provide a working email address on my application where I will receive notifications regarding the status of my application and the selection process.
I UNDERSTAND that important information regarding the status of my application and the selection process will only be sent via E-MAIL to the email address I provided.
I UNDERSTAND that it is MY RESPONSIBILITY to ensure that the email address I provided is a working email and that I will check my email regularly to ensure I receive any communication as it relates to the examination promptly.
I UNDERSTAND that the City of Los Angeles Personnel Department is NOT RESPONSIBLE for any lost or redirected emails and that it is MY RESPONSIBILITY to add info@governmentjobs.com to my email contact list to avoid email notifications related to this examination from being classified as "spam" or "junk" mail.

• I have read these statements to their fullest and will provide a working e-mail address on my application in order to receive status of my application regarding this examination.

02
I UNDERSTAND that I am required to describe, IN DETAIL, my appropriate qualifying experience in the Work Experience Section of my application.
I UNDERSTAND that, if qualifying with my City experience, that I MUST indicate my appropriate job classification in my work history and NOT ANY WORKING TITLE that I believe is designated to me.
I UNDERSTAND that if I attach a resume and/or cover letter IN LIEU of completing the Work Experience Section, my application is INCOMPLETE and WILL NOT be considered for this examination, and my application WILL NOT be further processed.
In addition to including my qualifying experience, I UNDERSTAND that I should list ALL jobs, regardless of duration, including part-time jobs, military service and any periods of unemployment during my entire work history.

• I have read these statements to their entirety and understand them completely and to their fullest.

03
I am currently:

• A City of Los Angeles employee having received a regular appointment.
• An exempt or emergency City of Los Angeles employee, but have civil service status.
• An exempt or emergency City of Los Angeles employee without receiving civil service status.
• A City of Los Angeles employee in a temporary training position.
• A City of Los Angeles employee on a part-time basis.
• On a regular reserve list for the City of Los Angeles.
• Not employed with the City of Los Angeles.

04
Requirement #1:I have the following amount of full-time paid gardener experience:
NOTES:You MUST provide detailed examples of this experience in the Work Experience section of this application. FAILURE to provide detailed examples will result in your DISQUALIFICATION from this examination.

• Between 1 to 11 months
• Between 12 to 17 months
• Between 18 to 23 months
• 24 months or more
• This statement does not apply to me

05
Requirement #1:In the text box below, please