GARDENER 2 - PARK MAINTENANCE

WICHITA COMPANY LIMITED; Wichita (KS); On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Wichita is seeking a grounds maintenance supervisor to manage gardening, landscape upkeep, and the supervision of a crew. The role involves irrigation systems, mowing, pruning, and timely snow removal, with standard weekday hours from 7:00 am to 3:30 pm.

Candidates must have at least one year of horticultural experience, a valid driver's license (Class A preferred) and the ability to obtain a Kansas pesticide applicator license within six months.

Qualifications

• One year of horticultural maintenance or greenhouse/nursery experience.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license; ability to obtain a Kansas Class A CDL within six months.
• Ability to obtain KS Commercial Pesticide Applicators License 3a/3b within six months.

Responsibilities

• Maintains flowers, shrubs, and trees including cultivation, transplanting, irrigation, pruning, spraying and fertilizing.
• Maintains turf grass areas including irrigation, mowing, edging, trimming, disease and pest control, and fertilizing.
• Operates and repairs irrigation systems and power mowers; assists with prescribed burns.
• Supervises other employees and coordinates work assignments.
• Shovels snow and handles outdoor maintenance tasks as needed.

Skills

Gardening knowledge

Equipment operation

Physical stamina

Communication skills

CDL eligibility

Pesticide applicator knowledge

Education

CDL (Class A) required

KS Pesticide Applicator license 3a/3b

Tools

Irrigation systems

Power mowers

Pruning tools

Job description

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.

The days and hours for this position: Monday-Friday, 7:00am-3:30pm

Bargaining Unit: Service Employee's International (SEIU)

• 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.

Experience and Training

Required Experience And Training

• One year of experience either in horticultural maintenance or in greenhouse and nursery work.
• A valid driver's license.
• Ability to obtain a valid Kansas class A commercial driver's license (CDL) within Six months of employment. If you are a Canadian or Mexican citizen, you will be required to have or obtain a CDL from your home country.
• Ability to obtain State of Kansas Commercial Pesticide Applicators License 3a/3b within the first 6 months of employment.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need of a sponsorship.

Preferred Experience And Training

• A valid Kansas class A commercial driver's license (CDL)
• State of Kansas Commercial Pesticide Applicators License 3a/3b

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 the results of a criminal record check.

Starting pay for current City employees will be determined by City of Wichita policy or applicable bargaining unit agreement.

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/f%20la%20m.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

CITY OF WICHITA

Full‑time Employee Benefits

• VACATION - Most employees with less than five years employment earn 10 days of vacation per year. After five years, accrual rates increase at varying rates to varying maximums, depending on work schedule and/or union representation. Employees can accumulate and carry forward up to 240 hours each year.
• HOLIDAYS - There are eleven paid holidays. Employees also receive one Personal Holiday that is granted after the first six months of employment.
• SICK LEAVE - Sick leave accrual begins at one-half day per month. After five years, sick leave accruals are one work day per month. Employees can accumulate and carry forward all unused sick leave each year. Employees who use 24 hours (3 days) or less of sick leave in a calendar year earn a "Well Day." An additional "Well Day" can be earned following a year of perfect attendance.
• HEALTH INSURANCE – UMR / United Healthcare provides two levels of medical and prescription drug plans. Both medical plan are PPOs and do not require selecting a physician or referrals for specialty care. Both medical plans include Teladoc virtual care (primary care/mental health benefits at no charge), Dario healthy living programs, and VSP Vision benefits. Pre‑tax premium deductions are offered. The City contributes 80% of the premium cost towards medical, prescription drug and vision insurance.
• DENTAL INSURANCE - Two Delta Dental plans are offered – Preferred and Traditional. The Delta Preferred plan requires using a dentist from a smaller network for a lower premium. The Delta Traditional plan allows use of any dentist, although benefits are higher using a dentist from the large Delta network. Benefits under both plans are the same (with the exception of some Orthodontic benefits) Pre‑tax premium deductions are offered.
• LIFE INSURANCE – Low‑cost voluntary term life insurance is available. Employees pay one-third of the cost. The amount of Basic Life coverage is two times annual pay up to a determined maximum amount. Dependent coverage is available at $20,000 spouse / $10,000 child(ren) for an additional $0.14 per pay period. Accidental death and dismemberment coverage is included. The plan is through MetLife.
• SUPPLEMENTAL LIFE – Additional voluntary employee‑paid term life insurance is available from MetLife at low group rates. Participation in Basic Life is required. The Life Insurance plans are portable.
• LONG‑TERM DISABILITY INSURANCE– The voluntary employee‑paid group disability plan from MetLife provides 60% of pre‑disability income for injury or health related disabilities. Premiums are determined by income and age.
• VOLUNTARY ACCIDENTAL DEATH & DISMEMBERMENT – Voluntary employee‑paid AD&D from MetLife offers coverage for accidental death and dismemberment.
• RETIREMENT - The City offers two retirement plans - Wichita Employees (WER) Plan 3, and Commissioned Police & Fire Plan C-79. The WER plan is a defined contribution plan; Police & Fire is a defined benefit plan. Both are contributory - employees and the City share the cost.
• FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS – Employees may elect to make FSA pre‑tax deductions for dependent care and/or unreimbursed medical expenses, reducing the cost of these expenses by eliminating taxes on the amount deducted.
• LONG‑TERM CARE INSURANCE – This plan from UNUM offers facility and home care benefits for employees, spouses, and some other family members. Several options for benefit amount and duration, and specific plan features, are available.
• MORE BENEFITS & SERVICES

Deferred Compensation Investment Program

Employee Discounts and Wichita Employee Association (WEA)

Bereavement Pay

Employee Emergency Assistance Fund

Voluntary Shared Leave Program

Training Programs

Longevity Pay

Credit Union

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Injury Leave (on‑job injury)

Community Volunteer Events