Salary: $30.25 – $40.42 Hourly
Location : Ventura, CA
Job Type: Full-Time Regular
Job Number: 23MH-J02-1
Department: Parks and Recreation Department
Opening Date: 05/04/2023
Closing Date: 6/1/2023 5:30 PM Pacific
THE POSITION
The City of Ventura is hiring! We have an immediate vacancy for a Landscape Inspector/Senior Landscape Inspector with the City’s Parks and Recreation Department.
WHAT YOU’LL DO
The Landscape Inspector/Senior Landscape Inspector works under general direction and performs a variety of journey level to advanced journey level tasks in the care and maintenance of landscaped facilities, including inspection of City parks, linear parks, landscaped medians, parking lot planters and wall planters. This position also oversees the work of specialized contractors providing related services to the city.
WHO YOU ARE
The ideal candidate for this position is an effective communicator with experienced organizational and problem-solving skills. This person will demonstrate an exceptional work ethic and take pride in the appearance of public landscaped areas. The selected candidate will understand and utilizes integrated pest management techniques and strategies to control pests in landscaped areas and is skilled with operating a variety of automatic and central irrigation control systems in comparable size landscaped areas. The ideal candidate has experience with and is able to utilize computer software programs to track and monitor data, and prepare reports and presentations.
Incumbent may be required to work stand-by on a rotational basis and report to work on a callback basis as needed. Standby assignment is at the discretion of the Division Head.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
The Senior Landscape Inspector job class functions at the advanced journey level of performance. It is distinguished from the journey level Landscape Inspector position by performance of the full range of duties related to contract administration for the City’s landscaped areas and related facilities. Incumbents in this classification function independently when performing regularly assigned tasks and are expected to effectively problem solve situations within the parameters of designated job duties. The Senior Landscape Inspector must possess and utilize specialized knowledge and skills in the designated operational areas as well as exhibit strong oral and written communication techniques, organizational abilities, and problem-solving skills.
MORE INFORMATION
For additional information on the duties and responsibilities of the position, refer to the job descriptions located on the City’s Career Page at or by clicking here / .
THE SCHEDULE
This recruitment will follow the below timeline.
- Thursday, June 1, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. – Application Deadline. Applications must be submitted by this date to be considered for the position.
- June 5, 2023– Candidates will be notified by email of their status by this date.
- Week of June 12, 2023 – Oral Panel Interview are tentatively scheduled for this date. Qualifying candidates will be notified by email if they are invited to the panel interview process.
- Week of June 26, 2023 -Department Selection Interviews are tentatively scheduled for this date. Qualifying candidates will be notified by email if they are invited to the panel interview process.
- July 10, 2023 – Candidates will be notified of the outcome of the interview by this date.
The timeline dates are subject to change. Candidates will be notified as necessary.
SALARY AND BENEFITS
The City offers a total compensation package that includes both a generous salary and other benefits!
- SALARY: $30.25 – $40.42 Hourly DOQ
- BENEFITS: Refer to the benefits tab on the job posting for specific information on City benefits.
HOW TO APPLY
To be considered for this exciting opportunity, please complete an online City Job Application and supplemental questionnaire by the filing deadline, Thursday, June 1, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. .
If you have questions about the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources at
POSITION QUALIFICATIONS
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO QUALIFY
Landscape Inspector: A combination of education, training, and experience equivalent to graduation from high school and three years of landscape construction or landscape maintenance experience, supplemented by college level courses in horticulture, park administration or related field. An associate degree related to landscaping is highly desirable.
Senior Landscape Inspector: Any combination of experience and education/training equivalent to an associate degree in horticulture, parks administration, landscape architecture, or a related field and two years of responsible landscape inspection experience.
License: Possession of a valid California Class C driver license and an acceptable driving record may be required.
APPLICATION AND INTERVIEW PROCESS
YOUR APPLICATION
Submit an online City job application and supplemental questionnaire by the filing deadline or first review date at It is important that your City job application show all the relevant education, training, and experience you possess. Resumes, CVs and cover letters may be attached to your application but will not be accepted in lieu of a completed job application or supplemental questionnaire. Submitting an incomplete application or supplemental questionnaire, may disqualify you from further consideration in the recruitment process.
DEADLINE TO APPLY:
Applications and supplemental questions will be accepted until Thursday, June 1, 2023 at 5:30 p.m.
APPLICATION REVIEW:
All applications and supplemental questionnaires submitted will be screened in relation to the criteria outlined in this job announcement. Candidates will be reviewed and only those candidates determined to be most qualified on the basis of experience, training and education, as submitted, will be invited to participate further in the selection process. Candidates will be notified about their status after the filing deadline.
INTERVIEW DATES AND INFORMATION:
A select number of candidates will be invited to a qualifying panel interview process that is tentatively scheduled for Week of June 12, 2023. Select candidates will be notified of specifics after the filing deadline. Please note, given the current COVID-19 situation, initial panel interviews may be conducted via video teleconference. Selected applicants will be notified of specifics at the appropriate time.
The department selection interviews are tentatively scheduled for Week of June 26, 2023. Candidates selected to move forward will be notified.
The Eligibility List established for this classification may be used to fill other regular and temporary vacancies at the discretion of the City.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), if you need an accommodation in a selection process, please notify the Human Resources Department in writing by the final filing date of the position you are interested in. The Human Resources address is: 501 Poli Street, Room 210, Ventura, CA 93001, (805) 654-7853, e-mail: recruitment@cityofventura.ca.gov.
THE ORGANIZATION
The City of Ventura operates under the Council/ Manager form of government under a charter adopted by voters in 1934, with an elected seven-member City Council. This full-service municipality is supported by 11 major City departments: City Manager, City Attorney, Finance, Information Technology, Human Resources, Community Development, Parks & Recreation, Fire, Police, Public Works, and Ventura Water. The City’s Adopted FY 2022/2023 Budget totals approximately $398.3 million. The City Council and the City Manager are dedicated to the highest standards of integrity, public service, and innovative approaches to governing.
To learn more about the City of Ventura, please visit and view the FY2022-23 Adopted Budget.
CITY OF VENTURA
The City of Ventura is located just north of Los Angeles County and south of Santa Barbara County and is frequently considered one of America’s most desirable places to live. The City is a full-service municipality that was founded in 1782, incorporated in 1866, and serves nearly 110,000 residents within its 32 square miles. With nearly 700 employees, the City is dedicated to delivering key services to our businesses, residents, and visitors to ensure Ventura remains a fiscally stable, economically vibrant, safe, clean, and desirable community.
Locals and visitors enjoy Ventura’s impressive park system that includes 32 parks and historic sites, and more than 800 acres of open green space. The City offers a remarkable year-round climate, friendly people, and a spectacular coastline. Ventura is an exciting location for a variety of outdoor activities such as biking, hiking, kayaking, paddle-boarding, sailing, surfing, whale watching and windsurfing. Other activities include the Channel Islands National Park, championship golf, world-class shopping, wine tours, and more. Learn more about the City of Ventura at
DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION
The City of Ventura values human rights, goodwill, respect, inclusivity, equality, and recognizes that the City derives its strength from a rich diversity of thoughts, ideas, and contributions. As leaders in public service, we aspire to be an employer of choice by promoting an organizational culture that reflects these core values. We seek to attract, develop, and retain a talented and dedicated workforce where people of diverse races, genders, religions, cultures, political affiliations, and lifestyles thrive. Our goal is to create a welcoming and inclusive environment that empowers our employees to provide the highest level of service to our community of residents and businesses; they’re counting on us.
The City is an equal opportunity employer and strives to attract qualified applicants from all walks of life without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, military and veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state and/or local law. We aim to create an environment that celebrates and embraces the diversity of our workforce. We welcome you to join our team!
Employment Information:
Right to Work: Before employment candidates must submit documentation verifying legal right to work in the United States.
Background Check: A pre-employment verification of background, references, and medical examination will be conducted. A drug screening may be required for some positions. Applicants for positions using City vehicles may be required to submit a DMV report.
Probationary Period: Twelve months
Deferred Compensation: $442 per year will be matched in a 457 Plan.
Medical & Dental Insurance: Up to $691 monthly towards a selection of plans. Medical and dental insurance is effective the first of the second month after date of hire.
Optional Benefits: $469 monthly, applied toward medical insurance premiums. Cash-out option is not available.
Vision Insurance: City paid coverage for employees and dependents. Vision insurance is effective the first of the second month after date of hire.
Life Insurance: City paid term life insurance equal to the employee’s annual salary, and dependent life insurance of $2,000 per dependent.
Disability Insurance: City paid short and long-term disability coverage.
Retirement:
Tier I – 2% @ 55/Single Highest Year of Compensation for Classic CalPERS members who worked for the City prior to December 31, 2012 and are returning to City employment. Employees make a 7% member contribution, and may be subject to compensation limits per Section 401(a)(17) of the IRC.
Tier II – 2% @ 60/3-Year Final Compensation Period for Classic CalPERS members with less than a six-month break in service from another CalPERS or CalPERS’-reciprocal agency. Employees make a 7% member contribution, and may be subject to compensation limits per Section 401(a)(17) of the IRC.
Tier III – 2% at 62/3-Year Final Compensation Period for New CalPERS members. Employees make a 6.25% member contribution, and are subject to compensation limits per Government Code Section 7522.10. Additional details regarding the City’s retirement plan will be provided to candidates during the job offer process.
Social Security: CalPERS members do not participate in Social Security retirement. Receiving a CalPERS benefit may affect your social security upon retirement. For further information contact a Social Security office or
Medicare: Employees participate only in the Medicare portion of Social Security. There is a 1.45% payroll deduction for this benefit.
Annual Leave: 14.5 days per year, increasing to 24.5 days after 15 years service, for vacation or sick leave. Employees may use vacation after successful completion of probation.
Personal Leave: 27 hours per calendar year.
Holidays: 12 paid holidays per year.
Winter Holiday Break:18 hours of Winter Optional Holiday time. City Hall closure December 25th to January 1st.
Part-Time Benefits: Regular part-time employees receive insurance, optional benefits, vacation, holidays, sick leave and disability programs proportionate to their regular work hours.
Tuition Reimbursement: $2,500 per year for tuition and books for courses taken at accredited institution after completion of probation.
Student Loan Forgiveness: The City currently qualifies as an eligible employer for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.
Direct Deposit: Paychecks are automatically deposited to employee accounts.
Flexible Workweek: A 9/80 workweek is available for some positions.
Wellness Program: A comprehensive program is available, including on-site gym, exercise classes, downtown/beach walking routes, weight loss, and tips on nutrition and healthy lifestyle.
Professional Development: The City of Ventura is a LinkedIn Learning organization. LinkedIn Learning online classes are available with a library of more than 13,000 courses taught by real-world experts. Users can download certificates and customize learning paths that match their roles and competencies.
01
Your answers to the supplemental questionnaire below are required as part of the application process.
All education and work experience you include in the supplemental questions must also be documented within your job application. Any experience listed within your supplemental questionnaire that is not documented within your work history, may not be considered in determining your qualifications for the position.
By selecting yes, you acknowledge that all education and work history within your supplemental questionnaire are also documented within your job application.
- Yes
- No
02
The qualifications for this position require college level courses in horticulture, park administration or related field. Please select the areas you have completed college level coursework.
- Horticulture
- Park Administration
- Landscape Architecture
- Landscape Design and Construction
- Landscape and Parks Maintenance
- Arboriculture
- Other (List coursework completed below)
- None
03
For the college coursework completed and selected above, please list your total units/semesters completed or degree received.
If you have no related college coursework, mark N/A.
04
Select the total years of landscape construction or landscape maintenance experience experience you possess.
- 3 years or more
- 2 to 3 years
- 1 to 2 years
- Less than 1 year
- No related experience
05
For the answer selected above, indicate the company or agency where you obtained the of landscape construction or landscape maintenance experience and your dates of employment.
If you have no related experience, mark N/A.
06
Describe the types of automatic and central control irrigation systems you have utilized. Within your answer, include the name of your employer, job title and dates of employment.
If you have no related experience, mark N/A.
07
Select the areas where you have contract related work experience.
- Writing bid specifications and request for proposals.
- Participating in bid solicitation process and selection of contractor.
- Schedule contract work, monitor progress and work for quality and compliance.
- None
08
For the selected area(s) above, indicate where you obtained the experience including employer, job tittle, and dates of employment.
If you have no related experience, mark N/A.
09
Select the areas where you have experience reading, interpreting and explaining the following:
- Contractual and legal guidelines
- Blueprints and constructions plans
- Landscape and irrigation plan reviews
- None
10
For the selected area(s) above, indicate where you obtained the experience including employer, job tittle, and dates of employment.
If you have no related experience, mark N/A.
11
Do you have the ability to speak Spanish, in addition to English?
- Yes
- No
12
Do you currently possess a valid California Class C driver license?
- Yes
- No
13
I certify that all my responses are true and complete, and any misstatements of material facts, or failure to answer questions will subject me to disqualification from the testing process and/or dismissal from employment.
- Yes
- No
Required Question