Groundskeeper Specialist

Important Recruitment Information for this vacancy:

• Job Posting closes: March 28, 2025

Department of Administration, Office of Facilities and Property Management

https://admin.ks.gov/offices/facilities-property-management

About the Position:

• Who can apply: Anyone
• Classified/Unclassified Service: Unclassified
• Full/Part-time: Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Work Schedule: 6:00 am to 2:30 pm
• Eligible to Receive Benefits: Yes
• Veterans’ Preference Eligible: Yes

Compensation:

• Hourly Pay Range: $17.00 - $17.85

Note: Salary can vary depending upon education, experience, or qualifications.

Employment Benefits:

• First day of employment coverage under the State Employee Health Plan (SEHP) for medical and prescription drug coverage and dental plan.
• Additional voluntary options including vision, hospital indemnity, accident and critical illness insurance plans and flexible spending accounts.
• SEHP members and their covered family members have access to the HealthQuest Health Center at 9th and Kansas Avenue in Topeka for in person and virtual health care services.
• Sick & Vacation leave
• Work-Life Balance programs: parental leave, military leave, jury leave, funeral leave
• Paid State Holidays (designated by the Governor annually)
• Employee discounts with the STAR Program
• Retirement and deferred compensation programs

Visit the Employee Benefits page for more information

Position Summary & Responsibilities:

Groundskeeper Specialist

The Groundskeeper Specialist positions are assigned to the Office of Facilities and Property Management (OFPM) and report to the Groundskeeper Supervisor. The Groundskeeper Specialists have the overall responsibility for various grounds maintenance duties, lawn care and landscape responsibilities for the Capitol Complex Campus, Cedar Crest, Forbes Industrial Park and State Complex West.

Duties and responsibilities of the Groundskeeper Specialist include the following:

• Landscape: Apply skilled knowledge and make independent decisions when pruning, thinning, shaping, mulching and maintaining trees, plants, shrubs and hedges.
• Responsible for spotting plant disease and it’s treatment. Assists in designing, creating and upkeep of new landscaping projects.
• Mowing and Trimming: Maintain and safely operate all assigned hand tools, power equipment, walk-behind and riding mowers. Equipment will include chain saws, gas operated trimmers, drills, generators, loppers, mowers, blowers, stump grinder, dump trailers, and work vehicles.
• Flower Beds: Prepare flower beds for seasonal planting or winterizing. Responsible for planting, weeding, chemically treating and maintaining flower beds throughout the Capitol Complex, Forbes Field and Cedar Crest.
• Irrigation Systems: Responsible for operation of irrigation systems throughout the Capitol Complex. Duties include annual startup and shutdown of system, winterization, controller programming, diagnosing system and repairs to include sprinkler heads, pipes and other components.
• Chemical Application: Read and follow manufacturer’s recommendations, prepare correct dilution of chemical (if required) and selects correct concentrated sprayer setting for chemicals. Ensure ONLY authorized chemicals are used and that proper chemical is applied.
• Snow Removal: Use of snow and/or ice removal and surface treating equipment safely and effectively to support snow removal operations in all assigned areas.

Requires working overtime and being available for unscheduled work after-hours work. Equipment used will include truck mounter plows, salt/sand spreaders and hand tools such as scrapers and snow shovels. Work will be assigned based on weather, State needs and employee availability. Areas to be cleaned include steps, sidewalks, driveways, access roads and parking lots.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Licensing & Certification: Valid Driver License

Minimum Qualifications: No experience required. This position will require the ability to lift 50 pounds. This will be necessary to lift fertilizer, snow melt, landscaping materials and other miscellaneous materials.

Recruiter Contact Information:

• Name: Kim Warren
• Email: dofapersonnel@ks.gov
• Mailing Address: Department of Administration Personnel Office, 900 SW Jackson, Room 401-N, Topeka, KS 66612

Job Application Process

• First Sign in or register as a New User.
• Complete or update your contact information on the Careers> My Contact Information page. *This information is included on all your job applications.
• Upload required documents listed below for the Careers> My Job Applications page.
• Start your draft job application, upload other required documents, and Submit when it is complete.
  • Manage your draft and submitted applications on the Careers> My Job Applications page.
• Check your email and My Job Notifications for written communications from the Recruiter.
  • Email – sent to the Preferred email on the My Contact Information page
  • Notifications – view the Careers> My Job Notifications page

Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov: “How to Apply for a Job – Instructions” and “How to Search for a Job – Instructions”

Required documents for this application to be complete:

Upload the DD214 (if you are claiming Veteran’s Preference) on the Careers - My Job Applications page:

Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov: “How, What, & Where do I Upload Documents”

How to Claim Veterans Preference

Veterans’ Preference Eligible (VPE): Former military personnel or their spouse that have been verified as a "veteran"; under K.S.A. 73-201 will receive an interview if they meet the minimum competency factors of the position. The veterans' preference laws do not guarantee the veteran a job. Positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determine by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Veteran’s Preference

How to Claim Disability Hiring Preference

Applicants that have physical, cognitive and/or mental disabilities may claim an employment preference when applying for positions. If they are qualified to meet the performance standards of the position, with or without a reasonable accommodation, they will receive an interview for the position. The preference does not guarantee an applicant the job, as positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determined by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Disability Hiring Preference

PLEASE NOTE: The documentation verifying a person's eligibility for use of this preference should not be sent along with other application materials to the hiring agency but should be sent directly to OPS. These documents should be sent either by fax to (785)296-7712, scanned and emailed to Gustavo.Victoriano@ks.gov, or can be mailed/delivered in person to:

ATTN: Disability Hiring Preference Coordinator
Office of Personnel Services
Landon State Office Building
900 SW Jackson, Rm 401
Topeka, KS 66612

Equal Employment Opportunity

The State of Kansas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential elements that create and foster a welcoming workplace. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.

If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the recruiter.