Gardener I - Park Maintenance

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 grounds.
• Balls and burls trees.
• May be assigned as a park caretaker during the summer.
• Assists with prescribed burns.

Requirements of Work

• Some knowledge of the standard tools, equipment, materials, methods, and practices used in gardening and grounds maintenance work.
• Some knowledge of hazards and safety precautions of the work.
• Work knowledge of horticulture, floriculture, 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, pesticide and herbicide handling.
• Ability to empty trash bags/containers weighing up to 40 pounds and lift them up to 48 inches.
• 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 read and interpret instructions and labels, such as on equipment and pesticides.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with associates.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively.
• Ability to maintain a valid Kansas class A commercial driver's license (CDL).

Qualifications

• Experience and Training:
  • Ability to obtain Kansas class A commercial driver's license (CDL) within first six months of employment.
  • Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need of a sponsorship.
• Preferred Experience and Training:
  • Six months of experience cultivating and caring for lawns, shrubs and trees.
  • One year experience in operating gardening equipment such as mowers, trimmers and edgers.
  • A valid Kansas class A commercial driver's license (CDL).

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 plans 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.
• Lifetime 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.
• Deferred Compensation Investment Program: 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.
• Employee Discounts and Wichita Employee Association (WEA): Employees may take advantage of discounts on various products and services offered by the City and its partners.
• Bereavement Pay: Employees may receive bereavement pay for the loss of a family member.
• Employee Emergency Assistance Fund: Employees may access financial assistance in case of emergency.
• Voluntary Shared Leave Program: Employees may participate in a program that allows them to take unpaid leave for personal reasons.
• Training Programs: Employees may attend training programs to enhance their skills and knowledge.
• Community Volunteer Events: Employees may participate in community volunteer events.

Application Instructions

Please indicate your responses to the following questions:

• I am a current employee of the Park & Recreation Department: Yes/No
• I have the following years of experience cultivating and caring for lawns, shrubs and trees:
• Less than 6 months experience:
• 6 months - 1 year experience:
• 2 - 3 years' experience:
• 4 + years experience:
• I have the following years of experience in operating gardening equipment such as mowers, trimmers and edgers:
• Less than 1 year of experience:
• 1 - 3 years' experience:
• 4 - 6 years' experience:
• +7 years' experience:
• This position requires a Class A CDL. Please identify your current status with a Class A CDL license:
• I currently have an active Class A CDL:
• I currently have an active Class B CDL and I am willing and able to obtain Class A CDL within 6 months of employment:
• I do not have a current Class A CDL, but am willing and able to obtain this license within 6 months of employment:
• I am not willing or able to obtain a Class A CDL within 6 months of employment:
• This position requires a CDL. If you are Canadian or Mexican citizen, you will be required to obtain a CDL from your home country to meet this requirement in addition to having valid employment authorization:
• I am a Canadian or Mexican citizen:
• I have or can obtain a CDL from my home country to meet this requirement:
• I am a Canadian or Mexican citizen I do not or cannot obtain a CDL from my home country to meet this requirement:
• I am not a Canadian or Mexican citizen:
• I have a valid driver's license:
• I am legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship: