Gardener(Motor Vehicle Operator) - Veterans Health Administration

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/06/2026. EXPERIENCE: A specific length of training and experience is not required, but you must show evidence of training or experience of sufficient scope and quality of your ability to do the work of this position. Evidence which demonstrates you possess the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform the duties of this position must be supported by detailed descriptions of such on your resume. Applicants will be rated in accordance with the OPM Federal Wage System Qualification Standards. SCREEN-OUT ELEMENT: Your qualifications will first be evaluated against the prescribed screen out element, which usually appears as question 1 in the on-line questionnaire. Those applicants who appear to possess at least the minimal acceptable qualification requirement are considered for further rating; those who do not are rated ineligible and are eliminated. The potential eligibles are then rated against the remainder of the Job Elements: Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair Interpret Instructions, Specifications (includes blueprint reading) Materials Technical Practices Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment Without more than normal supervision Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Physical Requirements/Working Conditions: The employee must be strong and sturdy and in good physical condition in order to operate trucks, tractors, snow equipment, jack hammers and other horticultural equipment. The employee must have full use of all extremities. The employee is subject to working outdoors in all types of weather, during all seasons. The employee will be required to climb ladders and scaffolds, and to lift heavy objects under adverse conditions. Employee will also be subject to odors and dust. Duties: Major duties and responsibilities include: Performing a variety of gardening tasks such as planting, seeding, sodding, grading, cultivating, fertilizing and spraying. Operating and maintaining varied motorized and other grounds equipment with attachments such as tractor, mowers, sprayers, spreaders, aerators,. plows, sidewalk and street brooms, snow blower and snow plow, weed eaters, push mowers, back pack blowers, leaf/street vacuums. Driving trucks and tractors with utility trailers for trash pick-up, hauling garden tools, road patch, salt, branches, leaves, snow plowing, salt spreading, picking up supply's, moving stone, mulch, dirt and transporting equipment such as wood chipper, street blower, air compressor, brush hog, but not limited to the above. Pruning, trimming and transplanting shrubs and trees; grading and replacing sod and providing technical advice to assistants in grading lawns and cultivating shrubbery. Operating the following grounds maintenance equipment: snow blower, steam cleaner, all tillage equipment, snow plow, rotary sidewalk broom, aerator, tractor and chain saw, deck mowers and riding mowers. Operating service equipment including portable air compressor, chain hoist, tackle, lift and similar equipment used for rigging or moving heavy and/or bulky equipment. Spreading fertilizer weed killers and top dressing; adjusting hand power mowers for proper cut and height; tillering, plowing and aerating for depth; power brooms for tension. Mounting equipment on tractors, checks and replaces filters, tires, radiator fluids, oil levels, hitches, drawbars, and synchronizes draft controls of hydraulic systems with 3-point tractor systems or other types of tractor lift systems. Performing other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 6:30 am - 2:30 pm.