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Davenport City revises horticultural technician qualifications to broaden candidate pool
Summary
The commission approved updates to the horticultural technician job description to allow associate degrees plus experience or high school plus additional experience, and clarified CDL and pesticide certification timelines.
Davenport City’s Civil Service Commission approved updates to the minimum qualifications and driver-license requirements for the parks department’s horticultural technician position, changes city staff said are intended to broaden the applicant pool.
City staff presented changes that replace a strict bachelor’s-degree requirement with two alternative qualification paths: an associate degree in a related field plus two years’ related experience, or a high school diploma (or GED) plus four years’ related experience. Staff also clarified driver-license requirements and certification timelines.
Under the adopted changes, applicants must hold a valid driver’s license at the time of application, obtain a CDL permit within 30 days of appointment and a Class B commercial driver’s license with an air brake endorsement within 90 days of appointment. Staff said the change allows the city to evaluate new hires within their probationary period while ensuring operators meet Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) physical requirements. The commission also set a deadline for pesticide applicator certification to be obtained within six months of hire and combined the mandatory physical with the background check where applicable.
Commissioners moved and seconded the update; the motion carried on a voice vote. No amendments or conditions were added to the change during the meeting.
