Landscape Specialist I/II in Del Mar, California at City of Del Mar
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Job Description
The City of Del Mar Public Works Department is seeking a Landscape Specialist I/II. This position is open until the needs of the City are met, so interested applicants are encouraged to apply immediately. First review of applications will begin after close of business on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, at 5:30 pm.
Under general supervision, oversees and supervises various contract work; performs a wide variety of skilled journey-level duties involved in the maintenance of the City’s trees, landscaped and open space areas, and City trails; installation, servicing, repair and maintenance of the City’s park, right-of-way, medians, and open space facilities, and related facilities; and performs related work as assigned.
Landscape Specialist I is the entry-level classification in this series. Under general supervision, incumbents perform the full-range of assigned semi-skilled and skilled duties related to maintenance of the City’s trees and landscape areas. This class differs from Utility Worker I/II in the skill level required and the incumbent’s knowledge of the City’s trees and landscaped areas, systems, contracts, budgets, equipment, facilities, standards and procedures; and in the ability to perform more difficult tasks independently.
The Landscape Specialist II is the full-journey level classification in this series. Under general supervision incumbents take ownership of the City’s landscape maintenance program including maintenance of City trees and landscape areas This classification differs from the lower-level classification in that the skill level required in all of the classification’s craft areas is higher. Additionally, the Landscape Specialist II is responsible for more complex assignments. Assignments vary, may encompass a variety of tasks, seldom require detailed instructions, and require sound judgment and initiative.
The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the class.
- Under supervision, manages budgets and contracts including but not limited to directing work of City contractors through their on-site supervisors such as the City’s landscape or tree contractors, inspecting contractors work, requisitioning tools supplies and services, and reviewing invoices.
- Performs oversight of the City’s Landscape Maintenance Contractor including review and approval of the contractor’s landscaping log, monthly checklist, invoicing, performance tracking and inspections.
- Oversees vegetation clearing along public open spaces and City easements.
- Leads and participates in landscaping and irrigation activities such as the techniques and methods of maintaining plants, shrubs, clearing vegetation from street signs, lawns, athletic surfaces and irrigation systems, and other assigned areas.
- As assigned, complete arborist reports and risk assessments of City-owned trees; reviews and signs tree removal permits.
- Inspects Powerhouse Park Playground Equipment, Drinking Fountains, and surrounding area and pathways for any defects or risk management issues.
- Performs or contracts any necessary Playground repairs.
- Oversees periodic washdowns, clean-up, and sand replenishment of the Playground.
- Works with and directs the City contractors’ superintendents in resolving issues, complaints, and developing proposals to repair or improve facilities.
- Performs skilled and semi-skilled work in tree and landscape maintenance.
- Performs a variety of skilled troubleshooting, installation, and repair tasks involved in the maintenance and repair of irrigation, root control, and landscaping systems.
- May perform or assist with minor repairs and maintenance activities to streets, curbs, gutters, trees, landscaping, sidewalks, storm drains, street signs, median strips and related public works facilities; paints curbs.
- Sets up and removes barricades to protect crews from street traffic; directs traffic at work sites.
- Assists with duties in confined spaces, utilizing departmental safety equipment, policies and procedures; lifts and removes vault lids; ventilates vaults; performs vault repairs.
- Excavates and backfills sidewalks, streets, culverts and trenches using hand and power tools; exposes mains and lines following safe dig practices and shutdown procedures; installs and removes various types of trench shoring; cuts mains, lines and pipes utilizing saws, pipe cutters, torches and other tools; caulks joints; threads and bends pipes; performs water main taps under pressure or following main shutdowns.
- Operates chain saws, trimmers, pole saws, vactors, trucks, trenchers, skip loaders, backhoes, compressors, tapping machines, and a wide variety of other motorized equipment and commercial vehicles; operates and uses a wide variety of hand and power tools.
- Performs grounds keeping and weed abatement duties at City-owned sites and facilities and oversees City contractors who may perform these duties
- Cleans and maintains tools and equipment used in the field and shops.
- Uses and repairs tools and equipment used in the field and shop.
- May perform or assist with the performance of routine public works tasks in the areas of streets, facilities, general maintenance, and water and wastewater systems maintenance, as may be needed
- Documents work performed.
- Works from land plats, maps, valve books, sketches, blueprints and work orders.
- Responds to questions and complaints from the public regarding repair work and main shutdowns; resolves complaints in an efficient and timely manner.
- When necessary performs after-hours emergency work and on-call duties on a rotating basis.
- May lead the work of others as a project leader; oversees the work of assigned seasonal employees and contractors and verifies the work of assigned employees for accuracy.
- Performs playground inspections and oversees contractor and staff playground repairs.
Knowledge of:
- Methods and techniques of planting, transplanting, cultivating, pruning and maintaining a variety of lawns, ground covers, plants, shrubs, hedges and trees;
- Methods and equipment used in weed, pest and insect control, and treating plant diseases;
- Installation, maintenance, and repair of irrigation systems;
- Operation of motorized vehicles and equipment, including trucks, loaders, backhoes and related equipment;
- Chain saws, trimmers, tools, methods, techniques and safety practices used in maintaining trees, landscaped areas;
- Tools, methods and safety practices used in the maintenance of streets, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, storm drains and related facilities;
- Shop and field arithmetic;
- Methods, techniques and safety precautions necessary to meet the requirements of the position;
- International Society of Arboriculture and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) A300 standards;
- CalOSHA requirements for worker safety and ANSI133.1 Safety requirements;
- The provisions of various City contracts as designated.
Department of Transportation commercial driver’s license regulations
Ability to:- Perform skilled tasks in the maintenance of trees, landscaped and open space areas, and City public trails;
- Assist with the maintenance of streets, curbs, gutters, storm drains and related facilities when needed;
- Operate the tools and equipment common to utility construction and maintenance;
- Follow and carry out oral and written instructions;
- Work from rough sketches, blueprints and diagrams; use independent judgment and exercise initiative in daily work activities;
- Estimate necessary equipment and materials to complete work assignments;
- Work effectively with the public and City contractors and respond to complaints and inquiries;
- Assist in the supervision and training of less experienced personnel and City contractor’s superintendents, operate and maintain assigned vehicles in a safe and skillful manner including commercial vehicles.
A typical way of obtaining the knowledge, skills and abilities outlined above is:
- Landscape Specialist I: Graduation from high school, or G.E.D. equivalent; and two (2) years of experience in tree and landscape maintenance or public works-related maintenance and construction work.
- Landscape Specialist II: Graduation from high school, or G.E.D. equivalent; and four (4) years of experience in tree and landscape maintenance or public works-related maintenance and construction work.
- A valid Commercial Class B California driver’s license, or ability to obtain Commercial Class B License within the first year of employment.
- State of California Parks and Recreation Society, National Playground Safety Institute, or other similar organization Playground Safety Inspection Certification or ability to obtain within 18 months of hire.
- International Society of Arboriculture Arborist Certification or ability to obtain within 12 months of hire.
- Possess and maintain a Pesticide Qualified Applicator's Certificate for Level II, or ability to obtain within 12 months of hire.
PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms. The employee frequently is required to stand and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to walk; sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.
The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
Employees in this class are occasionally required to wear respirators. In accordance with CAL/OSHA regulations, employees are prohibited from having facial or head hair that impairs the effectiveness of respirator equipment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential duties of the class as they relate to this requirement.
Mental Demands:
While performing the duties of this class, employees are regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret data, information and documents; analyze and solve problems; use math and mathematical reasoning; observe and interpret situations; learn and apply new information or new skills; work under deadlines with constant interruptions; and interact with City staff, City contractors, other organizations and the public. The employee is occasionally required to deal with dissatisfied or quarrelsome individuals.
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The employee regularly works in outside weather conditions and in or near street traffic with significant exposure to unsafe or hazardous drivers. The employee frequently works near moving mechanical parts, is exposed to wet or humid conditions and vibration, and works in precarious places or exposed to street/road traffic. The employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is frequently loud.