Watershed Worker

Company Description

Company Description

Application Opening:  August 28, 2024 Application Deadline:  September 06, 2024 Hourly Compensation:   Recruitment ID:  TEX-7542-EXEMPT(REF44204J)

APPOINTMENT TYPE:  Temporary Exempt: This position is excluded by the Charter from the competitive Civil Service examination process and shall serve at the discretion of the Appointing Officer. 

WHO ARE WE? 

Headquartered in San Francisco, we have 2,300 employees operating across eight counties serving more than million customers in the San Francisco Bay Area – 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.

Our Mission:  To provide our customers with high quality, efficient, and reliable water, power, and wastewater services in a manner that values environmental and community interests and sustains the resources entrusted to our care.

Our Vision:  We are an innovative utility leader, recognized for excellent results in service, safety, stewardship, and inclusiveness.

We are an award-winning and industry-leading utilities organization committed to our customers, community interests, and the environment. To learn more about our organization, please visit our website at 

We are proud of our infrastructure and programs, but most importantly, we value our highly qualified and dedicated workforce which ensures that this vision becomes a reality. 
To learn more about working at the SFPUC, visit our career site at 

Job Description

Under direct supervision, the 7542 Watershed Worker performs seasonal outdoor manual work in connection with the maintenance and protection of watersheds, with special emphasis on vegetation management, soil erosion control, fire protection and performs related duties as required. This position will have the ability to learn specific skill sets which, at a basic level, are tied to watershed management and operations. Specifically, how to clear brush, re-establish roadside ditches, trash removal and debris, weed management, building, and repairing property boundary fences, maintaining hand and power tools including chainsaws and weed whips and working with and around chippers.

Watershed Workers can expect to work in adverse weather conditions, such as rain, snow, cold, or extreme heat for long periods of time. Temperatures during the work season can typically range from 50 to 100 degrees in coastal areas, and from 90 to 120 degrees in East Bay or mountain locations. Watershed Workers also risk exposure to poison oak, wild animals, rattlesnakes, mosquitoes, ticks, and various species of stinging insects.

Essential Functions:

Assists in the protection and maintenance of watersheds, reservoir property, rights-of-way, fire breaks, and improvements thereon. Cleans grounds and assists in weed and ground erosion control; cuts and burns brush and weeds; sprays brush with weed killer; fights fires. Performs protective maintenance tasks on the areas adjacent to and surrounding dams and reservoirs; rakes and burns driftwood from shorelines. Assists in preventing trespass on Water Department property. Other duties as assigned.

Nature of work:  This position requires sustained physical strength in performing assigned tasks, walking distances on uneven terrain, and climbing steep inclines for extended periods, traveling to remote locations by foot and vehicle, and the ability to wear respiratory protection, pass medical exams, and work with hazardous materials. Appropriate clothing is required: jeans or long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and work boots.

Work Locations:

San Francisco, CA Burlingame, CA (on the San Francisco Peninsula) Moccasin, CA (Moccasin is located 140 miles east of the San Francisco Bay Area and requires a 5-hour round trip commute by car in fair weather)

Qualifications

1. High School graduate at the time of employment or GED equivalent (proof required); 

2. The ability to follow oral and written instructions; use common hand tools and equipment such as rakes, hoes, axes, shovels, power weed eaters, chain saw, hand pruners etc.;

AND 

3. Possession of a current California Driver’s License.

Desirable Qualifications:

Enrollment in a recognized college, university, or vocational program Experience working with hand and/or power tools. Experience working outdoors Experience working in group or teams

Verification of Education and Experience:

Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. Education verification information on verifying foreign education credits or degree equivalency, can be found at 

Note:  Falsifying one’s education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco.

All work experience, education, training, and other information substantiating how you meet the minimum qualifications must be included on your application by the filing deadline. Information submitted after the filing deadline will not be considered in determining whether you meet the minimum qualifications. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed City and County of San Francisco application. Applications completed improperly may be cause for ineligibility, disqualification or may lead to lower scores.

Additional Information

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Additional Information Regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco:

Exam Analyst Information: 

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