Gardener (Motor Vehicle Operator)

Veterans Health Administration • Lyons, NJ

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Gardener position is located in the Grounds Unit of the Facilities Management Service. The employee performs gardening and grounds-maintenance work, operates and maintains motorized and other grounds equipment, and drives trucks and tractors to transport materials, supplies, and equipment. The work includes maintaining landscapes and grounds throughout the seasons, providing technical advice to assistants on lawn grading and shrub cultivation, and performing other duties as assigned.

The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Recruitment and relocation incentives are not authorized, and a Critical Skills Incentive is not approved.

The employee must be strong, sturdy, and in good physical condition to operate trucks, tractors, snow equipment, jackhammers, and other horticultural equipment, with full use of all extremities. Work is outdoors in all types of weather and seasons, and may involve climbing ladders and scaffolds, lifting heavy objects under adverse conditions, and exposure to odors and dust.

Applicants are evaluated under the OPM Federal Wage System Qualifications using the job element method. A specific length of training or experience is not required, but questionnaire responses must be supported by detailed resume descriptions. This position has no education qualification requirement.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service.
• A pre-employment physical is required.
• Selected applicants are subject to background and security investigation.
• Applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing-designated position must undergo urinalysis for illegal drug use before appointment; refusing the test results in denial of employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel.
• The employee must be strong and sturdy, in good physical condition, and have full use of all extremities to operate the required equipment.
• The employee must be able to work outdoors in all types of weather and seasons, climb ladders and scaffolds, and lift heavy objects under adverse conditions.
• The employee may be exposed to odors and dust.
• Questionnaire responses must be supported by detailed descriptions of experience on the resume, including month and year start and end dates and, for part-time work, hours per week and the nature of duties.
• The employee must serve a one-year probationary period; continued employment is subject to written certification that it advances the public interest.
• The job has no education qualification requirement.

Responsibilities

• Perform gardening tasks including planting, seeding, sodding, grading, cultivating, fertilizing, and spraying.
• Operate and maintain grounds equipment and attachments, including tractors, mowers, sprayers, spreaders, aerators, plows, brooms, snow blowers, weed eaters, backpack blowers, and leaf or street vacuums.
• Drive trucks and tractors with utility trailers to pick up trash; haul tools, road patch, salt, branches, leaves, and snow; plow snow and spread salt; pick up supplies; move stone, mulch, and dirt; and transport equipment.
• Prune, trim, and transplant shrubs and trees; grade and replace sod; and provide technical advice to assistants on grading lawns and cultivating shrubbery.
• Operate grounds-maintenance equipment, including steam cleaners, tillage equipment, snow plows, rotary sidewalk brooms, aerators, chainsaws, tractors, deck mowers, and riding mowers.
• Operate service equipment, including portable air compressors, chain hoists, tackles, and lifts, for rigging or moving heavy or bulky equipment.
• Spread fertilizer, weed killers, and top dressing; adjust hand and power mowers for proper cutting and height; till, plow, and aerate to the required depth; and adjust power-broom tension.
• Mount equipment on tractors and check or replace filters, tires, radiator fluids, oil levels, hitches, and drawbars; synchronize draft controls of hydraulic systems with three-point or other tractor-lift systems.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package.
• Selected applicants may request credit for prior work or military service toward annual leave accrual; approval is required and is not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed