Every City of Overland Park employee will now make at least $15 per hour, after a change in City compensation policy.
City Manager Lori Curtis Luther announced the change this week, in an effort for the City to remain competitive in a challenging hiring market.
“This is an important step toward ensuring we can continue to attract employees to some of our most public-facing positions and compensate employees fairly for their work,” Luther said. “Further, it is a next step in implementing the City’s Strategic Goals.”
The City’s Strategic Goals, approved by the Governing Body, include an objective to maintain a competitive compensation program that attracts and retains a diverse, talented and engaged workforce reflective of the current competitive market.
The change will largely impact positions in the Parks and Recreation Department, although a limited number of positions in other departments will see increases as well.
Community center attendants, Farmers Market attendants, gardeners at the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, arts and events staff, pool cashiers and others will all see increases in hourly pay.
“Overland Park is well-known across the country for our wonderful community amenities, like the Arboretum and Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead,” said Mayor Curt Skoog. “I applaud the city manager’s decision to ensure we can continue to provide a high quality of services at these important cultural facilities for all residents and visitors.”
The change is effective immediately, and is funded as part of the operating budget.
The City is hosting a Citywide Hiring Event on Monday, Oct. 2 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Overland Park Convention Center, 6000 College Boulevard. Applicants should come prepared for on-the-spot interviews and potential job offers for many positions.
Check out open positions at recruit.opkansas.org.