Company Profile
City of Lawrence
Company Overview
Lawrence is a diverse and multifaceted city that provides many of the amenities of a large metropolitan area, while still maintaining a strong sense of community. Located in Northeast Kansas, Lawrence is just 45 minutes west of Kansas City, and 30 minutes east of Topeka, the state capital. Lawrence offers a rich and fascinating history, a wide range of exciting cultural experiences, nationally recognized educational institutions, and some of the most unique and enjoyable shopping opportunities in the Midwest.
Lawrence possesses all of the aspects of a friendly, active and culturally diverse community. With the perfect combination of small-town hospitality and big-city attractions, Lawrence lays claim to its share of national recognition and historical significance.
For more information visit our website here: http://www.lawrenceks.org/about
Company History
MISSION
To provide excellent city services that enhance the quality of life of the Lawrence community.
Since its creation in 1946, Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department has continued to carryout the mission of enhancing the quality of life of the Lawrence community. Over the years, the department has developed many programs desired by the community. Other programs now in operation, like Art in the Park and Summer Theatre, were begun by Lawrence Parks and Recreation. The department has even assisted by continuing needed programs, like continuing education classes that were eliminated as U.S.D. 497 offerings.
Lawrence Parks and Recreation operates/manages/maintains:
•54 parks and open spaces, measuring more than 3,500 acres
•4 recreation centers
•4 community centers
•4 swimming facilities
•1 golf course
•1 nature center
•43 athletic fields
•37 basketball/multi-use courts (indoor/outdoor)
•Indoor walking track
•2 gymnastics facilities
•1 indoor soccer field
•19 picnic areas
•3 cemeteries
•30 playgrounds
•27 tennis courts
•2 skate parks
•2 off-leash dog parks
•2 disc golf courses
The department employs 72 full-time employees and nearly 800 part-time employees throughout the year. The department averages more than 750 volunteers serving more than 35,000 hours annually as youth sport coaches, assisting with landscaping, tending to animals at the nature center and cleaning up park areas. Lawrence Parks and Recreation maintains nearly 75 miles of biking, walking and hiking trails.
The department developed the Wee Folks Scholarship Fund to support youth in the community, providing access to its programs in 1996. More than $19,500 in scholarships are awarded annually to Lawrence youth to participate in the department activities. The department continues to create win-win partnerships with businesses in the community and annually recognizes them through the Friends of the Park program. Since 2002, more than $500,000 has been provided in monetary gifts and services from individuals, groups and businesses supporting the department’s activities.
Since the passage of a county-wide, one-cent sales tax in 1994, Lawrence citizens have invested more than $30 million to Parks and Recreation capital improvements, which include:
•$10.5 million Sports Pavilion Lawrence (opened in 2014)
•$9 million Indoor Aquatic Center (opened in 2001)
•$3.2 million Eagle Bend Golf Course and Learning Center (opened in 1998)
•$2.9 million in renovations to the Lawrence Outdoor Aquatic Center
•$2 million in renovations to East Lawrence Recreation Center (opened in 1997)
•$2 millon Clinton Lake Softball Complex (opened in 1997)
•$950,000 for Prairie Park Nature Center (opened in 1999).
The department continues to implement cost reduction methods and has outsourced mowing, cleaning and forestry services to decrease its cost of staffing and other expenses incurred.
Lawrence Parks and Recreation is committed to developing its programs and services in innovative, cost-efficient and effective ways to further enhance Lawrence’s quality of life.
Questions/Comments? Let us know at parksrec@lawrenceks.org
Benefits
Contact Human Resources for employee eligibility rules.
Health Insurance
The City of Lawrence is self-insured and offers a plan which provides comprehensive major medical through a Health Reimbursement Account (HRA), prescription drug, vision, and dental coverage. Coverage for new employees is effective the first of the month following a thirty-days of employment. Employee premiums for coverage are payroll deducted over 26 pay periods and may be paid with pre-tax dollars. The City contributes $250 to an individual HRA and $500 to a family HRA. The major medical deductible is $1,000/$2,000(individual/family). Out of pocket maximum is $1,600/$3,200(individual/family). Expenses for prescription drugs and dental care are not applied toward the major medical deductible or out of pocket maximum.
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
FSAs allow employees to increase their disposable income because the amounts they contribute are not subject to Federal, FICA, or State income taxes. FSAs are available for expenses not reimbursed under any other health plan and dependent care assistance programs.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
The EAP is a free and confidential counseling service available to employees and immediate family members.
Leave and Holidays
Vacation
At hire 12 days
Personal days
Two personal days are granted annually.
Sick leave
Twelve days are accrued annually of which six days may be used for illness of an immediate family member or adoption of a child.
Holidays
Nine holidays are observed annually: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Day
Emergency leave
Up to forty-eight hours emergency leave may be granted annually for death in the immediate family.
Jury duty
Employees will receive regular pay when called to jury duty and are permitted to retain the allowance received for such services.
Shared leave
Donated leave may be used for an employee's serious illness or injury.
Retirement
Membership in the Kansas Public Employee's Retirement System (KPERS) or Kansas Police and Firefighter's Retirement System (KP&F) is mandatory for employees in covered positions. The systems provide retirement, disability, and survivor's benefits. KPERS members receive Basic Group Life Insurance. The City has affiliated to offer Optional Group Life Insurance to both KPERS and KP&F members.
Deferred Compensation
Deferred compensation is a retirement savings program employees can participate in through payroll deduction on a pre-tax basis.
Life Insurance / AD&D
The City provides from $12,500 to $50,000 in term life and accidental death and dismemberment coverage depending on pay grade. Dependent life is available. Voluntary term life insurance up to five time annual salary is available to regular employees working at least twenty hours per week.
Specific Disease / Critical Illness
Employees can payroll deduct premiums for cancer, heart attack, heart disease, stroke, and accidental injury for themselves and immediate family members. Intensive care unit and cash value riders are available.
Other Benefits
- Uniforms, Wellness Program which provides health risk assessments, annual flu shot clinics, National Employee Health and Fitness Day events, time-off incentives, and employee discounts for Lawrence Parks and Recreation fitness classes and local fitness club memberships, Employee Assistance Program.