Gardener(Tractor Operator)

Salary: $33.37 to $38.93 Per Hour

Incumbent is charged with overseeing all gardening & gardening-related tasks at the Ft Harrison Veterans Administration Medical Center. Performs a wide range of gardening work on their own. Consults gardening books or catalogues regarding physical characteristics of plants & individual plant requirements. Recommends changes for improvement in the overall landscape plan & obtains approval on projects which require unplanned expense or significant periods of time.

Major duties

Major duties and responsibilities include: Incumbent uses own initiative, makes independent judgments in working and recommends changes for improvement and directing work in accordance with VA Regulations, program guide and manuals. Performs or leads repair work on roads, sidewalks, curbs, gutter, etc. These phases of work require knowledge of aggregate, sand, cement, water-cement ratio, seal-coating and road patching materials. Leads or performs digging of water and gas mains, moving of heavy Engineering equipment and supplies, demolition work, etc. The incumbent will be operating and performing maintenance of high powered equipment, different machinery, and the upkeep of said machinery. Knowledge of Fertilization, transplanting, laying sod, preparing sod and seed beds, aerating, pruning, trimming and applying a wide range of chemicals to plants, turf, flowers, and trees. Incumbent understands the shop and the administrative processes that go together within the ordering process and other processes that have been set into place. Works well with other employees and delivers customer service as appropriate, closes out work orders in a timely fashion. Makes independent judgments and recommendations within the framework of good gardening practices. Maintain tools and equipment in an organized fashion, accountable for property inventory. Shows up to work on time and is accountable for helping ensure the grounds is safe, especially during winter weather. Incumbent understands and performs under the direction of the Maintenance Supervisor and Chief of Facility Management Services (FMS). Incumbent is under the supervision of the Maintenance & Repair Section Supervisor, and receives assistance only on new, unfamiliar and complex situations. Operates various high powered specialized lawn cutting equipment. Large agricultural type tractors, trucks from 1/2 ton to 5 ton dumps. Seeders, tillers, sprayers, loggers, gas weed eaters and various hand tools. Performs other related duties as assigned to the Grounds and Service Unit (e.g., snow/ice removal during Winter months, refueling operations, small engine repairs, transportation of equipment, etc.). Troubleshoots equipment malfunctions and failures and determines the extent of repairs and parts needed, estimated materials required, selects best work methods, techniques and trade practices and accomplishes the repair or overhaul. Operates smaller equipment like mowers, weed eaters, and leaf blowers in a safe and responsible manner. Is responsible for selecting and safely using proper tools, devices, manuals, references and efficient procedures. Must be able to operate a plow on a truck and/or side by side in a safe environment. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm Position Description Title/PD#: Gardener(Tractor Operator)/PD127110 Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/16/2026. 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: Ability to Do the Work of the Position without More Than Normal Supervision Ability to Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (Includes Blueprint Reading) Ability to Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment Dexterity (Assembly, Disassembly, Reassembly, etc.) Knowledge of Materials Technical Practices (Theoretical, Precise, Artistic) Use of Measuring Instruments 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: The work requires the expenditure of a high degree of physical and mental effort in the preparation of and the utilization of sod, flower beds and various lawn equipment. Incumbent frequently climbs ladders to prune trees, and frequently lifts objects such as bags of fertilizer, grass seed, etc., up to and including 100 lbs. The gardening and tree farm tasks require considerable walking, stooping, climbing and lifting. In addition, position requires more work involving climbing ladders and stretching to reach tree limbs. Working Conditions: Incumbent will be subject to long hours in cold, snow, wet weather, hot weather, dust, pollen exposure and insect stings. Also, is subject to injury from lifting, handling toxic materials such as chemical over-spray and from the hazards of operating high power lawn maintenance equipment.