Salary
$5,527.00 Monthly
Location
Oahu, HI
Job Type
Full-Time Permanent
Job Number
386256
Department
Department of Parks & Recreation
Division
Division of Urban Forestry
Opening Date
06/05/2026
Closing Date
Continuous
Position Information
Rooted in knowledge, rising with integrity
Guide the crews who work for our City's canopy
The Department of Parks and Recreation, Division of Urban Forestry, Horticulture Services Branch, is looking for someone to lead the oversight of the beautification and maintenance of City-owned property along City roadways, sidewalks, and public spaces by coordinating crews and ensuring work is completed safely, efficiently, and in a timely manner. This position coordinates operations through subordinate supervisors, supports contract and budget administration, and ensures work is completed safely, efficiently, and in accordance with professional standards. You will also supervise staff by preparing performance evaluations and, when necessary, conducting investigations related to disciplinary actions. If you bring strong judgment, organizational skills, and urban forestry expertise, this is your opportunity to help shape and protect Honolulu's urban forest.
What You Will Do:
Plan, assign, and coordinate arboriculture crews island-wide; supervise multiple crews and projects to ensure safe and efficient operations
Supervise work through subordinate supervisors and ensure efficient use of staff and equipment
Monitor contracts and inspect contractor and developer work for quality and compliance
Investigate incidents, accidents, and public complaints; prepare reports and recommendations
Assist with budgeting, procurement, and resource planning
Ensure compliance with safety procedures, licensing, and certification requirements, and the proper use of equipment
Coordinate with City departments, contractors, agencies, and community organizations on projects and improvements
POSITION-SPECIFIC INFORMATION
There are two (2) vacancies with the Nursery and Landscape Section located at the Kapiolani Nursery. These position will:
Plan and coordinate nursery and grounds maintenance programs for parks, streetscapes, and public spaces, including high-visibility areas such as Kuhio Beach and Queen Kapiolani Garden
Develop and improve landscape maintenance practices, with emphasis on irrigation systems
Conduct and oversee experimental programs to evaluate new and adaptable plant species
Research and evaluate fertilizers, insecticides, and other treatments to support plant health and landscape sustainability
Special Working Conditions:
Handle and apply chemicals, including working in areas treated with chemicals
Work independently in remote or mountainous locations without access to drinking water, restrooms, or electricity.
Work evenings or weekends for pesticide/herbicide application, specialist projects, events, or emergency response
Serves as a Disaster Response Worker during declared emergencies
There is one (1) vacancy with the Arboriculture Section located at 3902 Paki Ave. This position will:
Determine appropriate methods and specialized equipment (e.g., cranes, chippers, stump removers) for tree maintenance operations
Monitor tree maintenance contractors; inspect work quality and issue corrective actions as needed
Assess tree health, structural conditions, and risk factors, including disease, infestation, and storm damage
Respond to hazardous tree emergencies, including off-hour situations
Special Working Conditions:
Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
This position is required to:
Respond to emergency work in inclement or extreme weather
Work under or near fallen trees
Work near roadways in low-visibility conditions
Work around live electrical lines damaged by fallen trees
Work in off-road conditions
Work after hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
Serve as a Disaster Response Worker during declared emergencies.
Enjoy excellent employment benefits including generous time off (up to 21 vacation days, 21 sick leave days, and holidays), comprehensive health coverage, retirement plan, career development, and much more! View details about all our available benefits by clicking on the “Benefits” tab at the top of this posting or visiting https://www.honolulu.gov/dhr/benefits/.
Apply today to lead the crews that care for and protect Honolulu's trees.
Additional Job Information
Some notifications will be sent via e-mail. You are responsible for monitoring instructions and correspondence from this office by checking your e-mail account in a timely manner. To ensure proper delivery, please make sure you:
- use a valid e-mail account;
- verify your e-mail address is entered correctly on your GovernmentJobs account;
- are subscribed to e-mail notices;
- check your spam folders; and
- add [email protected] and [email protected] to your contact list.
Notifications may also be sent via text message if opted into the service. Data and text messaging fees apply.
Minimum Qualification Requirements
At the time of application, you must be a citizen, national, or permanent resident alien of the United States or a non-citizen eligible under federal law for unrestricted employment.
EDUCATION REQUIREMENT:
Equivalent to graduation from a regionally-accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree in agriculture, horticulture, or a related field.
Substitution: Work experience may be substituted for a bachelor's degree on a year-for-year basis. Such experience must have provided the knowledge, skills, and analytical ability normally gained from the attainment of a bachelor's degree.
For example:
1. Four (4) years of professional work experience, in any occupation, may substitute for a general bachelor's degree.
2. Four (4) years of general work experience (does not need to be professional level experience) in planning, coordinating, supervising grounds maintenance activities or arboricultural activities (i.e., Grounds Keeping Supervisor, Tree Trimming Supervisor, Supervising Nursery Worker, or equivalent) may substitute for a general bachelor's degree.
Education Verification: Education information must be listed clearly on your application. If available, please attach a legible electronic copy of your diploma, official transcripts, and/or applicable foreign credential evaluation to your application. As part of the hiring process, you may be asked to furnish documentation to verify your education to move forward for further consideration.
EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT:
Two (2) years of supervisory experience involving responsibility for a program overseeing the:
propagation and cultivation of various plants, shrubs, and trees; and/or
care, maintenance, and beautification activities for parks, gardens, streets, malls, or other landscaped areas.
APPLICABLE SKILLS NEEDED:
Knowledge of horticultural and arboricultural principles and practices
Ability to plan, coordinate, and supervise arboriculture and grounds maintenance operations
Experience overseeing tree pruning, trimming, transplanting, relocation, and removal activities
Knowledge of proper plant, tree, and shrub care techniques
Ability to identify and assess plant pests, diseases, and tree health issues
Experience supporting budget development, resource allocation, and equipment planning
Ability to develop, implement, and evaluate employee training programs
Skill in training, mentoring, and directing employees in arboricultural practices and workplace safety procedures
Ability to communicate effectively through clear and concise oral and written instructions
Skill in preparing reports, maintaining records, and documenting operational activities
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, contractors, stakeholders, and the public
LICENSE REQUIREMENT:Prior to Appointment:
Valid Hawaii State driver's license (Type 3/automobile).
Current State Department of Transportation medical examination certificate.
Hearing Conservation Test (conducted during the pre-employment medical examination).
Prior to Completion of Probation:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL), Class A or B.
Current First Aid/CPR/AED certificate.
International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist credential.
Certificate for Commercial Applicator of Restricted Pesticides for the Nursery and Landscape Section Only
The above-listed licenses/certifications must be maintained on a current basis thereafter.
Examination Process
If you qualify for the position, your name will be eligible for consideration for current vacancy/vacancies and future job openings with this job title. Screening will be based on the education, experience, and other job-related information provided in your application. Failure to provide sufficient information may result in your application being rejected or your receiving a lower rating. All information provided on an application is subject to verification. As applicable, false or misleading statements or omissions of material facts are grounds for disqualification and/or termination of employment with the City and County of Honolulu.
What are the benefits of being a City Employee?
- Vacation: Employees may earn up to 21 days per year.
- Sick Leave: Employees may earn up to 21 days per year.
- Holidays: 13 days a year; 14 days during election years.
- Training and Development: Computer, career, and personal enhancement courses are offered; curriculum designed for employee, supervisory, and management development.
- Medical, Dental, Prescription Drug, and Vision Care: Various health insurance plans are available. Premiums are subsidized by the City and deductible from pre-tax income for participants of the Premium Conversion Plan (PCP).
- Group Life Insurance: No cost for eligible employees.
- Deferred Compensation Plan: Invest in your future...choose to defer part of your pre-tax income for retirement.
- Retirement Plan: The Employees' Retirement System (ERS) of the State of Hawaii administers retirement benefits for State and County employees. Employee contribution required.
- Commuter Choice Pre-Tax Benefits: Employees may designate certain transportation expenses (TheBus, LOTMA, Vanpool Hawaii, etc.) as a pre-tax item
- Parking: Some job locations offer parking on-site; others may have access to parking at low monthly rates.
- Direct Deposit: Direct deposit of paychecks to a designated financial institution is available.
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential, professional counseling and resource referral.
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program: A federal program forgiving the balance of federal student loans for individuals working in public service. For program requirements and additional information, please visit: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service
To view additional information, please visit our Benefits of City Employment page.
- All benefits as stated above, are subject to eligibility requirements and to legislative and/or negotiated changes. Individuals are responsible for any related fees or charges that may apply.
01
APPLICATION GUIDELINES & INSTRUCTIONS
When applying for this position, please thoroughly complete the Education, Work Experience, and Supplemental Question sections of your application. The information provided in these sections, particularly the job-specific Supplemental Questions, will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements for the job and your final score. Failure to provide detailed and complete information or submit any required documentation may result in your application being rejected or you receiving a lower score.
Please do not submit resumes in place of completing any of these sections.
List each work experience separately, do not combine jobs. For example, if you've held more than one position or job level(s) for the same employer, they should be listed and described separately so that the resulting changes in your duties and responsibilities are accurately reflected. If any part of your experience is unclear, you may be asked to provide a copy of your official job/position description (PD).
In general (unless otherwise specified on the job posting), the following criteria is utilized for evaluation of the Minimum Qualification Requirements:
Substitute, temporary assignment, internship or volunteer experience requires an official letter of verification from your supervisor and/or Human Resources department. The letter should include the job title, employment dates, number of hours worked, a description of the duties performed, and a contact name and phone number.
Concurrent or overlapping experiences and/or education will NOT be double credited.
Professional experience refers to work that generally involves independent critical thinking, solving complex, non-routine problems, preparing reports, and interpreting and applying technical information.
Most work experience as an intern will NOT be creditable as equivalent to professional experience.
Calculation of experience will be based upon a full-time, 40-hour work week. Part-time experience will be pro-rated. Hours worked in excess of 40 hours/week will not be extra credited.
Example: Twelve months of experience at 20 hours/week will be pro-rated to six months of experience.
Example: Twelve months of experience at 60 hours/week will be credited as one year of experience, NOT one and a half years.
All requirements for the position must be met at the time of application or by the closing date of the recruitment.
Possession of the required amount of experience will not in and of itself be accepted as proof of qualification for the position. The overall experience must be of such scope and responsibility as to conclusively demonstrate that you have the ability to perform the duties of the position.
Any information you submit is subject to verification. Supporting documents must be either electronically attached to your application or submitted to our office at: Department of Human Resources, 650 South King Street, 10th Floor, Honolulu, HI 96813. Documents should be identified by job title and recruitment number.
If you previously submitted education documents (e.g., transcripts, diploma, etc.) to our office, for most cases you are not required to resubmit them. Supporting documents with an expiration period (e.g., driver's license, Department of Transportation medical certificate, etc.) will need to be submitted with each application to verify possession of a current license or certificate at the time specified on the job posting.
I certify that I have read and understand the above statements.
02
EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: The Park Grounds Improvement Supervisor I position requires that applicants have an equivalent to graduation from a regionally-accredited college or university with major work in agriculture, horticulture, or a related field.
Education obtained outside of the United States must be comparable to a degree earned at a regionally-accredited college/university in the United States. In order to receive credit for the education, a foreign credential evaluation (FCE) must be provided. We also reserve the right to request further information about your academic program, evidence of comparability, or an original transcript.
Verification Requirement: You must submit evidence of your education in order to be given credit. Please attach an electronic copy of your diploma and/or official transcript which shows the embossed seal or applicable FCE to your application. Or mail a photocopy of your documents to the following address: Department of Human Resources, 650 South King Street, 10th Floor, Honolulu, HI 96813. Copies will not be returned. Unofficial transcripts will not be accepted. All information on your documentation must be legible and complete in order to be given credit.
From the following statements, select the statement that applies to your education. I have a bachelor's degree in:
I have a bachelor's degree.
I do not have the required bachelor's degree, but I have work experience that provided the knowledge, skills, and analytical ability normally gained from the attainment of a bachelor's degree. Such experience is described, in detail, in the "Work Experience" section of my application.
I do not have a bachelor's degree or work experience that can substitute for a bachelor's degree.
03
EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT: The Park Grounds Improvement Supervisor I position requires that applicants have two (2) years of supervisory experience involving responsibility for a program overseeing the: 1) propagation and cultivation of various plants, shrubs, and trees; and/or 2) care, maintenance and beautification activities for parks, gardens, streets, mall or other landscaped areas.
Do you meet the experience requirement?
Yes
No
04
PROGRAM MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE: PROPAGATION AND CULTIVATION For each position you listed in the Work Experience section of your application that qualifies you for this position, describe in detail the program you managed that oversaw the propagation and cultivation of various plants, shrubs, and trees.
Include in your explanation:
Your job title and main job duties,
A description of the program you managed that involved the propagation and cultivation of various plants, shrubs, and trees,
The type of plants, shrubs, and trees you propagated and cultivated and the frequency in which such work was performed,
Your specific duties and responsibilities in managing the program (provide examples), and
The job titles and the number of subordinates you supervised, along with supervisory responsibilities as a supervisor.
05
PROGRAM MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE: LANDSCAPED AREAS For each position you listed in the Work Experience section of your application that qualifies you for this position, describe in detail the program you were responsible for that oversaw the care, maintenance, and beautification activities for parks, gardens, streets, malls, or other landscaped areas.
Include in your explanation:
Your job title,
A description of the program you were responsible for that involved overseeing the care, maintenance, and beautification activities for parks, gardens, streets, malls, or other landscaped areas,
The type and locations of landscaped areas your program was responsible for,
Your specific duties and responsibilities in managing the program (provide examples), and
The job titles and the number of subordinates that you supervised, and your supervisory responsibilities.
06
TREE CARE TECHNIQUES For each position you listed in the Work Experience section of your application that qualifies you for this position, describe in detail your experience in detail your experience managing or overseeing tree care operations.
In your explanation:
Your job title,
Describe your specific duties and responsibilities related to tree care,
Indicate the percentage of time spent on three care duties, and
Provide examples that include tree species and the methods you used to care for them.
07
SUPERVISORY EXPERIENCE For each position you listed in the Work Experience section of your application that qualifies you for this position, describe in detail your experience planning, assigning, scheduling, reviewing, and coordinating the work of others.
Include in your explanation:
Your job title,
A description of your specific duties and responsibilities that involved planning, assigning, scheduling, reviewing, and coordinating the work of others,
The percentage of time you spent performing this function, and
Examples as needed.
08
POLICY AND PROCEDURE EXPERIENCE For each position you listed in the Work Experience section of your application that qualifies you for this position, describe in detail your experience explaining and evaluating operational policies and procedures.
Include in your explanation:
Your job title,
A description of the specific policies and procedures you explained and evaluated,
To whom you explained those operational policies and procedures,
How you applied those operational policies and procedures, and
Examples as needed.
09
BUDGETING EXPERIENCE For each position you listed in the Work Experience section of your application that qualifies you for this position, describe in detail your experience preparing operating and/or capital improvement budgets.
Include in your explanation:
Your job title,
A description of your specific duties and responsibilities involving preparing operating and/or capital improvement budgets,
The percentage of time you spent performing this function,
The size of the budget,
The major expenditures and allotments, and
Examples as needed.
10
REPORT WRITING EXPERIENCE For each position you listed in the Work Experience section of your application that qualifies you for this position, describe in detail your experience preparing reports and making recommendations.
Include in your explanation:
Your job title,
A description of your specific duties and responsibilities that involved preparing reports and making recommendations,
The percentage of time you spent performing this function,
The nature and purpose of the reports and recommendations,
Who you wrote the reports for,
What action was taken, and
Examples as needed.
11
PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE For each position you listed in the Work Experience section of your application that qualifies you for this position, describe in detail your experience with handling personnel management issues (selecting, training, and disciplining personnel; working with the union, etc.)
Include in your explanation:
Your job title,
A description of your specific duties and responsibilities that involved handling personnel management issues,
The percentage of time you spent performing this function, and
Examples as needed.
Required Question
Employer
City and County of Honolulu
Address
650 South King Street, 10th Floor
Honolulu, Hawaii, 96813
Phone
(808) 768-8536
Website
https://www.honolulu.gov/dhr/
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