Gardener (Tractor Operator) - Veterans Health Administration

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 08/27/2026. 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: Dexterity and Safety Drive Safely Interpret Instructions, Specifications (other than blueprint reading) Materials Measuring Instruments Technical Practices 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: Work requires frequent walking, standing, bending, reaching, pushing carts and wheelbarrows, bending, and stooping. The gardener occasionally climbs ladders to prune or trim shrubs and trees and frequently lifts heavy objects up to 50 pounds, such as bags of fertilizer, grass seed, etc. Connects and disconnects tractor from heavy towed equipment. Incumbent uses heavy physical effort in constantly reaching, bending, turning, and moving hands, arms, feet, and legs to simultaneously manipulate different sets of controls when operating tractor equipment and attachments. Considerable strain is caused by the constant vibration of the equipment and the jerking and jolting from operating over rough surfaces. MAJOR DUTIES Operates equipment used in landscape maintenance and turf management. Safely operates motorized equipment and vehicles, such as riding and push-type lawn mowers, soil aerator, sod cutter, weed eaters, power trim edgers, chain saws, hedge trimmers, axes, street cleaners, backhoe, farm-type tractor with implements, snow removal equipment, skid loaders, fork trucks, dump trucks, etc. Backhoes, and front-end loaders are used to push, pull, pile, or load materials such as sand, gravel, earth, or refuse. Uses equipment which is fitted with a front-end loader to maneuver to a specific spot to transfer material; adjusts the attachments for proper level, angle, or depth, according to the work to be done. Work is performed on rolling or sloped terrain. Performs small engine repair, sharpens blades, and performs preventative maintenance to include inspecting, maintaining, and replacing belts, hoses, filters, fuel lines, and greasing equipment. Responsible for the overall appearance and maintenance of the external grounds and facilities of the Marion VA Medical Center in Marion, IL. Performs seasonal tasks such as fertilizing, seeding, cutting grass, laying sod, aerating lawns, and general pruning and care of trees, shrubs and plants. Performs pruning trees and shrubs to maintain proper balance between root and top growth to keep natural shape. Removes defects and excess branches using man lifts for tree trimming and shaping to eliminate damage to buildings, fences and other property but maintaining natural shape. Plans and carries out gardening work based on project plans, master landscape, long-range facility plans, and supervisor guidance, making independent judgments within the framework of good gardening practices. Recommends plants for particular purposes, such as shade, boundary lines, ground cover, erosion control, or pleasing appearance. Performs gardening and grounds keeping tasks such as fertilizing, preparing seed beds, and grounds for planting, seeding, laying sod, aerating, planting, transplanting, pruning, trimming, and applying pesticides and herbicides to plan