The City of Wichita seeks to hire an Executive Director for Botanica, The Wichita Gardens, a Division Manager position within the City’s Department of Park and Recreation. This position reports to the Director of Park & Recreation and works in collaboration with Botanica, Inc., the non-profit operator of the Gardens, and the non-profit’s Board of Trustees. The successful candidate will be an open-minded, diplomatic, collaborative, and creative professional who builds upon the Gardens’ historic strengths and record of success while motivating ambitious change and growth. Most importantly, the candidate will have a passion for the mission and programs of Botanica with an ability to inspire and engage others.

ABOUT BOTANICA

ORGANIZATIONAL AND REPORTING STRUCTURE

QUALITIES AND ATTRIBUTES

The work of this position is a coordinated effort with the Director of Park and Recreation and Botanica, Inc.’s, Board of Trustees. The Executive Director:

• Assumes full financial and operational management responsibility for a $4M budget, 50-60 staff, volunteers, visitor services and activities on an 18-acre site with gardens/exhibits/structures.
• Plans, implements, manages, and evaluates all aspects of the business and daily operations. Coordinates efforts in matters of short- and long-range planning, expansion, membership, publicity, programs, fundraising, grants, sponsorship, etc. Prepares administrative and financial policies and procedures for approval.
• Leads and assists in the development of organizational vision and future development of Botanica to include City capital improvements. Plans land use, expansion, operational growth, and changes in future delivery of services.
• Follows all City policies and procedures in include operations, City employment, days of operation, and life/safety policies and procedures.
• Works closely with Botanica’s Board of Trustees in all areas of responsibility to insure continuous communication and transparency.
• Develops annual organizational goals and objectives and a strategic plan. This includes planning, directing, and coordinating long and short-term goals; assign projects and programmatic areas of responsibility; reviews and evaluates work methods and procedures with staff. Reports to both Director of P&R and Botanica Board.
• Oversees the research, planning, implementation, financial performance, and evaluation of all annual events, exhibits, and activities. Sets and maintains the annual master calendar.
• Oversees and participates in the development and administration of the Botanica, Inc. budget that is approved annually by its Board of Trustees. Also, advises on the City’s financial and maintenance operations. Forecasts funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; secures funding, sponsorships, contributions, and grants; approves expenditures and implements budgetary adjustments as appropriate; allocates resources responsibly to maximize financial performance.
• Establishes service, volunteer, and staffing levels to fit the available budget while maintaining a safe environment. Recruits, hires, orients, trains, manages, evaluates, and terminates all staff of Botanica as necessary. Provides or coordinates staff training for employees to correct deficiencies; implements discipline when applicable.
• Develops and implements professional human resource policies and procedures, including hiring practices, orientation, management, evaluation, professional development, recognition, advancement, termination, and records management/retention. Motivates and cultivates positive, productive working relationships with staff, utilizing open and frequent communication and feedback.
• Oversees development and implementation of a strategic and innovative volunteer plan that includes strategies for recruitment, management, retention, and recognition; understands the value of volunteers and the need to personally cultivate and recognize their efforts on behalf of Botanica.
• Serves as principal spokesperson for Botanica. Explains and justifies programs, policies, and activities; responds, negotiates, and resolves sensitive and controversial issues, citizen inquiries and complaints.
• Provides quality public presentations and responds to questions from the community on Botanica and its activities on a regular basis. This position represents Botanica to the public, other City departments, elected officials, volunteers, donors, sponsors, and outside constituents.
• Monitors and ensures that best horticultural practices are occurring inside the gardens, greenhouses and on exterior landscapes. Reviews and evaluates work methods and procedures with staff.
• The City of Wichita and Botanica Board of Trustees may assign other related duties as needed.
• These examples are not intended to be all-inclusive.

The successful candidate will possess the ability to:

• Advise and support the Director of Park and Recreation as needed.
• Work collaboratively with Botanica’s Board of Trustees to operate Botanica, including management of Botanica, Inc. staff.
• Work with the Park & Recreation Department to promote the department and Botanica.
• Develop partnerships and relationships with City staff and other organizations.
• Regularly report to the Director of Park & Recreation and Botanica’s Board of Trustees on financial performance, operations, fundraising, marketing, staffing, programs, and activities, including successes and challenges.
• Ensure that the Board follows all financial requirements of law and regulation.
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with City staff, Botanica’s Board of Trustees, employees, volunteers, donors, sponsors, corporate business leaders, other organizations, the public, and persons engaged in horticultural, education and development activities.
• Oversee development and implementation of a strategic marketing, advertising, and community relations plan, including social media strategies.
• Oversee planning and execution of an integrated, strategic, and innovative fundraising plan and related strategies, including personal donor recruitment and cultivation.
• Utilize technology at all levels to improve data and communications for Botanica and use City resources to accomplish goals.
• Use a computer to access, analyze, interpret, and record information.
• Help in the gardens physically with plantings or assisting the staff as needed.
• Communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Acquire and maintain a valid Kansas driver’s license and operate motor vehicles (car, truck, cart, etc.)
• An employee shall not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace.

Required: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor’s degree in Business, Management, or related field. Three to five years’ experience serving as CEO, President, or Executive Director of a private, corporate, or non-profit organization or five to seven years as an Assistant or Deputy Director. Demonstrated experience in executive decision-making, financial management, strategic planning, administration, operational and project management. Excellent people skills at all levels, and a strong record of recruiting staff and/or volunteers, fostering a transparent and collegial work environment, and increasing effectiveness through established objectives, performance standards, quantifiable benchmarks, and mentoring.

(Last Updated 1/21/2015)

CITY OF WICHITA

FULL-TIME EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
1. 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. Maximum accumulation is 30 work days.

2. HOLIDAYS - There are eleven paid holidays. One is a Personal Holiday granted after the first six months to be taken at the employee's option as scheduled with the supervisor.

3. SICK LEAVE - Sick leave accrual begins at one-half day per month. After five years, it is one work day per month (no maximum). 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.

4. HEALTH INSURANCE - Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kandas provides two levels of medical and prescription plans. Both medical plan are PPOs that does not require selecting a physician or referrals for specialty care. Both medical plans include Vision benefits through Vision Service Plan. Pre-tax premium deduction is offered. The City contributes 80% of the premium, towards medical, Rx and vision premiums.

5. DENTAL INSURANCE - Two employee-paid Delta Dental plans are offered – Preferred and Traditional. DeltaPreferred requires using a dentist from a smaller network for a lower premium. Traditional allows use of any dentist, although benefits are higher using a dentist from the large Delta panel. Benefits under both plans are the same. Pre-tax premium deduction is offered.

6.LIFE INSURANCE – Low-cost term life insurance is available. Employees pay one-third of the cost. The amount of Basic Life coverage is twice annual pay (Members of SEIU and Teamsters: maximum of $150,000; all non-represented employees: maximum of $400,000). Dependent coverage is available ($4,000) for an additional $0.14 per pay period. Accidental death and dismemberment coverage is included. The plan is through The Standard.

7.SUPPLEMENTAL LIFE – Additional employee-paid term life insurance is available from The Standard at low group rates. Participation in Basic Life is required. This plan is portable.

8. LONG-TERM DISABILITY INSURANCE – This employee-paid group disability plan from Lincoln Financial replaces a selected amount of pre-disability income for work- or non-work-related disabilities. Premiums are determined by income and age.

9.VOLUNTARY ACCIDENTAL DEATH & DISMEMBERMENT - This employee-paid plan from The Standard offers coverage for accidental death and dismemberment in addition to that included in Basic Life.

10.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.

11.FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS – Employees may elect to make pre-tax deductions for dependent care and unreimbursed medical expenses, reducing the cost of these expenses by eliminating taxes on the amount deducted.

12. 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.

13.MORE BENEFITS & SERVICES
Deferred Compensation Investment Program
Emergency Leave (for immediate family death)
Training Programs
Longevity Pay
Credit Union
Employee Assistance Program
Injury Leave (on-job injury)
Direct Payroll Deposit
La Petite Discounted child care center 265-1037