Gardener 2 - Park Maintenance

WICHITA COMPANY LIMITED; Wichita (KS); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Wichita is seeking a supervisor for gardening and grounds maintenance within the Parks & Recreation department. You will supervise staff, plan daily tasks, and ensure safe operation of equipment and irrigation systems.

The role requires knowledge of horticulture, ability to supervise, and compliance with pesticide regulations. A valid Kansas CDL is required, and candidates may undergo random drug testing and a pre-employment physical.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of gardening and grounds maintenance practices.
• Ability to supervise and coordinate staff.
• Ability to operate lawn care equipment.
• Willingness to work outdoors in varying weather.
• Must pass pre-employment drug screen and background check.

Responsibilities

• Maintain flowers, shrubs, turf, and trees.
• Supervise other employees.
• Operate irrigation systems and power mowers.
• Repair irrigation systems.
• Shovel snow and perform related winter duties.
• Ensure safety and proper use of chemicals.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Horticulture knowledge

Safety awareness

Communication skills

Physical stamina

Team leadership

Education

Kansas pesticide applicator certification

Commercial driver license (CDL)

Tools

Lawn mowers

Irrigation systems

Power sprayers

Job description

The City of Wichita is NOT an E-Verify Employer.

Distinguishing Features of Work

This is gardening and grounds maintenance and supervisory work. Work is performed independently under general supervision, with directions for technical work being provided by a supervisor.

• Employees within the department of division shall be given first consideration
• Posting may close at any time

Examples of Work Performed

• Maintains flowers, shrubs, and trees, including cultivating, transplanting, irrigating, pruning, spraying, and fertilizing.
• Maintains turf grass areas, including irrigating, planting, mowing, edging and trimming, controlling diseases and pests, and fertilizing.
• Maintains the cleanliness of walks and other hard-surfaced areas by sweeping and hosing with water.
• Removes snow from walks and other areas.
• Maintains litter‑free areas, as assigned.
• Balls and burlaps trees.
• May be assigned as a park caretaker during the summer.
• Supervises other employees.
• Operates irrigation systems and power mowers.
• Repairs irrigation systems.
• Assists with prescribed burns.
• These examples are not intended to be all-inclusive.
• Other related duties may be assigned as needed.

Requirements of Work

• Knowledge of the standard tools, equipment, materials, methods, and practices used in gardening and grounds maintenance work.
• Knowledge of hazards and safety precautions of the work.
• Working knowledge of horticulture, floriculture, irrigation systems, symptoms of plant disease, parasites, and insect pests, and of the means and methods used for their control.
• Skill in the use of standard hand and power equipment employed in the propagation and cultivation of garden and grass areas.
• Ability to push and/or pull and operate a standard lawn mower over rough terrain.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 150 pounds with the assistance of another.
• Ability to tolerate outdoors, open grounds, windy conditions, and pesticide and herbicide handling.
• Ability to shovel snow using a three‑pound shovel, and lifting up to a ten‑pound load 36 inches high and moving it up to six feet.
• Ability to effectively plan, organize, and supervise the work of others.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with associates.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to acquire and maintain a State of Kansas Commercial Pesticide Applicator certification in General Knowledge Category 9A\--Noxious Weeds or a General Knowledge 3-A, 3-B ornamental and turf pest control at the department's discretion.
• Ability to maintain a valid Kansas class A commercial driver’s license (CDL). If you are a Canadian or Mexican citizen, you will be required to have or obtain a CDL from your home country.
• An employee shall not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace.

Please note that this position is part of a random drug testing pool, and employees are subject to random drug testing in accordance with company policies and applicable laws. Offers of employment are contingent upon passing a pre‑employment physical, which includes drug screening, and upon satisfactory evaluation of a criminal record check.

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws. Please find more information under the following links: https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WHD/legacy/files/fmln.pdf; https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf; https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WHD/legacy/files/eppac.pdf