Gardener (Tractor Operator)

Veterans Health Administration • Fayetteville, AR

1d

About The Position

The Gardener (Tractor Operator) operates heavy equipment to move earth, rock, gravel, mulch, supplies, and equipment; create piles; and load materials into dump trucks, onto flatbeds, into trailers and dumpsters, and into trucks. Operators must understand the controls and attachments used with the equipment and handle them skillfully. The position also performs gardening, landscaping, grounds-maintenance, and minor construction work, with results evaluated for quality.

The gardener grades and slopes landscape areas to support drainage and planting plans; plants, transplants, and maintains a variety of vegetation; prunes trees and shrubs; and maintains landscaped areas to appearance, health, and safety standards. Work is performed using project plans and established maintenance plans, with independent day-to-day decisions made consistent with gardening practices and project requirements.

The role involves identifying common plant diseases, insect infestations, and landscape problems, and applying treatments as directed. It also requires operating and maintaining grounds-maintenance equipment and hand tools, and transporting and staging materials and equipment. The regular schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., subject to change based on agency needs.

Work is outdoors and may involve prolonged exposure to hot sun, chilly or rainy weather, and air contaminated by chemical dusts and sprays. Physical demands include frequent walking, standing, pushing carts and wheelbarrows, bending, stooping, climbing ladders, stretching to prune vegetation, and lifting heavy items such as fertilizer and grass seed.

Requirements

• Demonstrated training or experience of sufficient scope and quality to perform the work; no specific length of training or experience is required.
• Show evidence of knowledge, skills, and ability to perform the duties, supported by detailed descriptions on the resume.
• Ability to demonstrate dexterity and safety.
• Ability to interpret instructions and specifications other than blueprint reading.
• Knowledge of materials and measuring instruments.
• Knowledge of technical practices.
• Ability to use and maintain tools and equipment without more than normal supervision.
• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Subject to a background/security investigation.
• Pre-employment physical examination is required.
• Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program as a Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel employee.
• Must serve a one-year probationary period or two-year trial period, as applicable.
• Physical ability to frequently walk, stand, push carts and wheelbarrows, bend, stoop, climb ladders, stretch to prune or trim vegetation, and lift heavy objects.

Responsibilities

• Operate heavy equipment to push, load, pile, and move earth, rock, gravel, mulch, supplies, and equipment.
• Load dirt, trees, and other items into dump trucks and onto flatbeds, and load or dump materials into trailers, dumpsters, and trucks.
• Grade and slope landscape areas, including terraces, to support drainage and planting plans.
• Plant, transplant, and maintain grasses, ground cover, flowers, shrubs, and trees.
• Prune trees and shrubs to promote healthy growth and maintain an appropriate balance between root systems and top growth.
• Perform work from project plans, master landscape plans, and long-range grounds-maintenance plans.
• Make independent day-to-day decisions consistent with established gardening practices and project requirements.
• Maintain lawns, flower beds, shrubs, trees, and other landscaped areas to meet appearance, health, and safety standards.
• Identify common plant diseases, insect infestations, and other landscape problems; apply appropriate treatments as directed.
• Apply fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, and other chemicals in accordance with instructions and safety requirements.
• Operate and maintain hand tools, power tools, and grounds-maintenance equipment.
• Use hand tools and equipment to complete gardening and maintenance assignments.
• Load, unload, transport, and stage supplies, materials, tools, and equipment for daily and monthly assignments.
• Operate vehicles and other equipment to transport personnel, tools, supplies, and materials to work locations.
• Complete gardening, landscaping, grounds-maintenance, and minor construction tasks safely and efficiently.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package available to eligible employees and their families; specific benefits depend on position type.
• Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to request and approval before appointment.

What This Job Offers

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