Salary : $56,066.88 – $70,485.00 Annually
Location : Visalia, CA
Job Type: Regular Full-Time
Job Number: 01877
Department: Parks & Recreation
Opening Date: 08/18/2023
Closing Date: 9/8/2023 5:00 PM Pacific
Description
The City of Visalia is recruiting for Landscape Inspector. Please click here to review the recruitment announcement.
DIVISION
The City of Visalia Urban Forestry Division is part of the Parks and Recreation Department. The Urban Forestry Division manages and oversees the landscape maintenance of 249 landscape and lighting districts, 23 miles of community trails, city landscaped medians and roadsides, pocket parks, open spaces, city parking lots, city facilities, parkways, and development of new landscape within these areas.
Examples of Duties
POSITION
The position of Landscape Inspector oversees the contracted maintenance of landscape and irrigation areas, performs inspections of city facilities, landscaping and lighting districts, open space maintenance districts, trails, parking lots, roadsides and medians, pocket parks and other publicly owned property.
Qualifications / Requirements
IDEAL CANDIDATE
The ideal candidate will be a professional, responsive, detail oriented and organized individual, with a strong knowledge in the principles and practices of landscape and irrigation maintenance, water and irrigation management, plan checking, proficient in office procedures, and construction. They will perform a variety of administrative functions including scheduling, inspecting, and evaluating the work of contractors to ensure landscaped areas are maintained in accordance with contract provisions and city maintenance specifications and prepares letters of non-compliance as necessary. The ideal candidate will build and maintain a cooperative professional working environment with developers, contractors, coworkers, other city departments, and the public. In addition, the ideal candidate will be required to maintain various records, logs, and have experience with office equipment including the ability to operate and learn computer software programs.
EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION
- Previous experience in landscape and irrigation maintenance and/or landscape design involving planning, installing and administering landscaping programs in an urban setting.
- Two years experience in contract management, project management, or inspection, preferably related to landscape and irrigation.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
- Possession of a valid California Driver’s License by time of appointment.
Please click here for a detailed job description.
Additional Information
Additional Information
SELECTION PROCESS
Application and supplemental materials will be evaluated and applicants who appear to be most qualified will be invited to participate in a job related interview and/or examination process. Successful candidates may be required to pass a background, physical examination, and/or drug screen.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
The City of Visalia offers a competitive total compensation package that includes:
Monthly Salary: $4,672 – $5,874
CalPERS retirement program
Health, Dental and Vision Insurance
Onsite City Health and Wellness Clinic (no out of pocket expenses)
Paid Holidays, Vacation, Sick Leave and much more…
Review the Benefits tab for more information.
EXPERIENCE VISALIA. ENHANCE YOUR LIFE. If work-life balance is important to you, consider living in a thriving community that offers the most affordable housing in California with a typical commute time of less than 20 minutes. With a population of over 143,000, Visalia offers small town charm with metropolitan amenities. Visalia has a world class health care system, our own Sequoia Symphony Orchestra, a flourishing arts community, a minor league baseball team, a downtown convention center, and numerous fine dining establishments.
As the Tulare County seat, Visalia is the principal retail center in the region, and home to several large industrial employers. Visalia has a vibrant downtown district, safe neighborhoods, excellent schools, institutions for higher learning, and low cost of living. The City has many community parks, organized team sports, a municipal golf course and private country club, a multi-sport family-oriented regional sports park, and numerous outdoor and recreational activities.
Located in the heart of California’s San Joaquin Valley, Visalia offers easy access to the nearby mountains, national parks, lakes and rivers which provide year-round opportunities for sports and recreation within an hour or less. Visalia was ranked as the top Central Valley community and one of seven California cities in the top 25 of Gallup Sharecare’s latest State of American Well Being Index. Our strong sense of community and social well-being keeps Visalians happy, healthy and moving forward. Come discover all Visalia has to offer!
The City of Visalia is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
The provisions of this announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained in the announcement may be modified or revoked without notice.
Bargaining Unit: Employees in this class are represented by the Northern California Carpenters Regional Council (Group M bargaining unit). This bargaining unit may establish and collect dues for their members’ independent from the City of Visalia. Those that elect to join may be required to pay dues per the provisions in the MOU.
Salary Policies: The salary range for the job is stated on the job announcement. Candidates are normally hired at the minimum of the salary range. Salary increases are given based upon employee work performance, up to a maximum of 5% per fiscal year.
Bilingual pay of $900 per year, pro-rated on a pay period basis, is available to those who are eligible and qualify.
A uniform allowance of $800 annually is provided for maintenance and care of department required uniforms or attire. Employees working in the following areas of the Police Department that are required to wear a uniform are eligible for uniform allowance: Dispatch, Records, CSO personnel, Property and Evidence, Crime Lab, Duty Officer personnel, and Parking Enforcement.
Holidays: Regular non-shift full-time City employees receive 11 paid holidays and one (1) floating holiday per year. In lieu of holidays, Police shift employees receive 4 hours of compensatory time off and 4 hours of regular pay in the pay period the holiday falls.In addition, shift employees receive one floating holiday in the pay period that includes January 1.
Vacation: Regular full-time employees earn 10 days per year. After 2 years, employees are eligible for 11 days; after 4 years, 14 days; after 9 years, 17 days; and after 16 years, 20 days of vacation per year. Employees are eligible for vacation usage after six (6) months of service. Employees hired from another governmental agency may be entitled to receive years-of service credit for their vacation accrual rate for such previous employment and applies only to the government agency the employee was employed with immediately prior to employment with the City of Visalia.
Sick Leave: Regular full-time employees earn 96 hours of sick leave per year, accrued per pay period. Employees are eligible for sick leave usage after three (3) months of service.
Annual Sick Leave Buy Back: After accumulating 480 hours, the City will automatically cash out all sick leave hours over 480 hours at 40% of the employee’s pay rate.
Administrative Leave: Employees classified as FLSA exempt (not eligible for overtime pay) currently receive 56 hours of administrative leave per calendar year. Any unused administrative leave hours are automatically paid out on the first paycheck in December.
Compensatory Time Off: Regular full-time employees classified as FLSA non-exempt (eligible for overtime pay) currently receive eight (8) hours compensatory time off per calendar year.
Health Insurance: The City provides employee health insurance which includes medical, dental, and vision care. Employee contribution rates are determined by employee’s bargaining unit and plan selected. Health benefits are also available for an employee’s dependents for an additional contribution rate. Eligibility for health insurance benefits begins on the first of the month after the date of hire. Contribution rates are reviewed for adjustment annually.
Life Insurance: The City pays the premium for a life insurance and accidental death or dismemberment policy of $30,000. A supplemental life insurance policy may be purchased and paid through payroll deduction. Eligibility for life insurance benefits begins on the first of the month after the date of hire.
Retirement: The City of Visalia is a member of the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). New employees are covered under the 2% at 62 plan. (Employees with previous PERS qualifying service (Classic employees) may fall under the 2% at 60 plan.) Each pay period, the employee pays an employee contribution at the CalPERS established rate. The City pays an employer contribution towards the retirement benefit and employees are responsible for contributing 4% of the employer contribution in addition to the required employee contribution.
Social Security/FICA: City employees are not subject to regular Social Security (FICA) deductions. However, Federal law requires that the Medicare portion of the FICA is deducted.
Section 125: The City offers a voluntary Section 125 program whereby tax free contributions are put into a trust account and are available for withdrawal with documentation of an unreimbursed healthcare or dependent care expense (i.e. premium, dependent care, medical care).
Long Term Disability: Regular full-time City employees are eligible for disability insurance (up to 2/3 of their salary) in the event they are disabled for more than ninety (90) days. LTD premium cost is paid by the employee.
Worker’s Compensation: Full-time and hourly employees who sustain an occupational injury or contract occupational illnesses receive standard Worker’s Compensation benefits as prescribed by law.
Other Benefits: The City also offers additional benefits such as an employee assistance program (EAP), a pre-tax deferred compensation plan, and education assistance up to $1,500 per fiscal year.
As a potential applicant, you are about to participate in a series of events collectively called the employment process. Because the goal of the employment process is to obtain the most qualified candidates to fill City positions, examinations are administered to qualified applicants. These examinations are conducted in a variety of ways (written, oral, practical, and/or performance), yet they share a common purpose – to test applicants based upon the knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform the duties and responsibilities of the job.
The employment process occurs in several stages which are described below:
Application: Perspective employees must submit a City of Visalia application and other documents required as outlined in the announcement by the closing time specified on the final filing date. Final filing dates and times are listed on the front of each announcement. Separate original applications must be submitted for each recruitment/position applied for.
Examination: Applicants will be evaluated and applicants who clearly appear to be more qualified in terms of knowledge, skills, and abilities will be invited to take an examination or combination of examinations. Written, practical, oral, and/or performance examination scores, or a pre-determined combined examination score, will determine standing on the eligible list.
Exam Accommodations: If you are most qualified for the job, but need reasonable accommodations to take the exam, contact the Human Resources Division at least five (5) days prior to the exam. We want to work with you to design a fair and effective means by which you can demonstrate your ability to perform the essential functions of this job. Be prepared to furnish proof of the need for accommodation. Such proof should normally be a signed statement on letterhead by a professional who is qualified to make a diagnosis.
Eligible lists: Eligible lists contain names, in descending order of score, of applicants who have obtained passing scores. Eligible lists are maintained for no less than six (6) months and no more than one year unless otherwise determined by Human Resources. The City retains the authority to reestablish an eligible list for a specific job opening when deemed necessary. Separate eligible lists are established for each recruitment.
Selection: A departmental interview is conducted with the top candidates from the eligible list. The number of candidates interviewed depends on the number of vacancies.
Background Review: Depending on the position, prospective employees will be subject to clearing a background investigation which may include, but is not limited to, a reference check, credit check, criminal history review, social security verification, DMV record check, polygraph, and psychological evaluation.
Post Offer Medical Examination: Prior to starting work, all prospective employees are required to take a drug/alcohol screening administered by the City’s medical provider and/or pass a medical examination. Candidates are cautioned not to quit or give notice to present employers until the medical examination has been completed and passed.
Probationary Period: Employees appointed to a new position through an open or promotional process are required to serve a twelve (12) month probationary period in their newly appointed position. Employees appointed to Assistant Communications Operator or Communications Operator positions are required to serve an eighteen (18) month probationary period. An employee maybe terminated without recourse for any reason and at any time during the probationary period.
Immigration Law: Prior to employment, applicants will be required to provide proof of U.S. citizenship, alien registration or authorization to work in the United States at time of appointment, and complete an I-9 form. Failure to do so within three (3) days from date of hire may be cause for termination. Once hired, failure to maintain authorization to work in the United States may be cause for termination of employment.
Driver’s License: Some City positions may require possession of a valid California Driver’s License. Employees may also be required to submit a DMV printout with proof of automobile insurance and use their automobile in the course of employment as some positions may require the use of your vehicle on the job. Additionally, employees may be required to drive City vehicles or equipment.
Non-Smoking Policy: A non-smoking ordinance adopted by the City, provides a smoke free environment.
Drug-Free Workplace: The City is a drug-fee workplace and has adopted a comprehensive substance abuse policy.
Discrimination and Harassment Policy: A zero tolerance discrimination and harassment policy adopted by the City provides employees and volunteers with a professional work environment in which they are not exposed to harassment and illegal discrimination of any kind.
The provisions of this announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provisions contained in the announcement may be modified or revoked without notice.
01
Describe your experience in landscape inspection, landscape and irrigation maintenance, and/or landscape design. Indicate the types of programs/projects you were involved with, the functions you performed, the length of time you performed these functions, and your level of responsibility.
02
Describe your administrative experience including report preparation, contract management, and record keeping experience. Include the types of reports you have prepared and to whom you submitted the information.
03
Describe your experience working with computers and the software applications you are proficient.
Required Question