The Gardener position works under the direction of the Maintenance Supervisor and independently installs, modifies, repairs, and maintains a variety of trees, plants, and landscapes in a zone of approximately 100 acres. The employee will operate motorized agricultural vehicles for grounds and street maintenance, landscaping, fertilization, transplanting, laying sod, preparing sod and seed beds, aerating lawns, pruning trees, maintaining a variety of shrub and rose beds, and applying herbicides.

Duties

Performs professional gardening work concerned with the maintenance and improvement of the 100 plus acres at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center (VAMC); specifically involved with cultivating of its existing and proposed trees, shrubs, lawns, and flower beds. Maintains the landscape at the facility in a healthy, disease-free, and attractive condition by fertilization, pruning, transplanting, pest control, etc. Performs mowing, mulching, weeding, trimming, and pruning duties to improve plant/landscaping health and appearance. Improves soil quality for plants by determining soil pH via soil testing and applying amendments (i.e., compost, lime, bark, etc.). Constructs layouts for flower beds, shrubs, and plants by following design plans. Analyzes plant disease, pest, and insect infestations, and determines mode of action required to minimize damage and prevent spreading of the problem according to regulations and safety standards. Implements a proper control plan with minimal impact on surrounding environment by utilizing established, and continuously updated, knowledge of plants and their growth habits. Maintains accurate, up-to-date records on work performed (i.e., fertilizer and pesticide usage, application rate, etc.) to ensure optimum plant care and for reporting to internal and external stakeholders such as VA Safety Officer, the Unions, and E.P.A. Prepares purchase order requests for plant material, equipment, materials and supplies as needed through the Ground Foreman. Collaborates with leadership to solicit contracted services for complex landscaping and gardening assignments. Maintains relationships with other entities in the area (Minnesota State Park) to share information regarding current hazards (Emerald Ash Borer, harmful insects, non-native plants, erosion, etc.). May be assigned additional tasks due to extreme weather (e.g., snowfall), labor shortages, or heavy workloads to support the Grounds Department. May be required to work overtime during extreme weather (e.g., snowfall). Removes snow and ice in various areas (i.e., parking lots, sidewalks, loading docks, walking trails, etc.) by plowing, shoveling, and applying ice melting chemicals. Adheres to safe work practices by following safety standards, policies, and procedures when lifting, carrying, using and maintaining equipment. Follows workplace safety and health procedures when bending, kneeling, standing, and stooping to prevent injuries. Adheres to wearing safety shoes and personal protective equipment to protect oneself and others. May serve as temporary Acting Foreman of the Grounds Crew in the absence of the Foreman May supervise other members of the Grounds Department when gardening, tree removal, and landscaping assignments require labor assistance or collaboration with the Engineering Equipment Operators. Work Schedule: Full-time Monday-Friday, 7am-3:30pm Compressed/Flexible Schedule: Not authorized Position Description Title/PD#: Gardener/PD606490 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Bargaining Unit Position: Yes - AFGE

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 08/16/2023. 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 SupervisionDexterity and SafetyInterpret Instructions, Specifications (other than blueprint reading)Technical PracticesUse and Maintain Tools and Equipment 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: Work will be performed over an area of 100 plus acres, requires frequent walking and the use of a utility vehicle for transportation of equipment and materials. Frequent bending, kneeling, stooping, and standing are required due to the nature of the work. The gardener may have to use a ladder or seek the assistance of a lift operator to prune trees or shrubs in some areas. Gardener will be required to lift heavy objects such as bags of fertilizer, salt, plant material and maneuver loaded wheelbarrows. Working Conditions: Most of the work is done outdoors. The gardener will be subjected to discomfort from prolonged exposure to heat and humidity, cold, wind, rain, and snow and will perform responsibilities with minimum interruption under these conditions. They will be exposed to chemical sprays and dusts. They will be provided protective clothing and equipment such as gloves, respirator, safety shoes and boots. During periods of extreme weather, such as heavy rain or severe cold, the gardener may be given assignments to assist other members of the Grounds Department in moving materials and equipment, shop maintenance and other tasks which may be outside the range of gardening. Required to work shifts other than their regular Tour of Duty when situations dictate the need. These assignments will be determined by the Motor Vehicle Operator Foreman of the Miscellaneous Services Unit (Grounds Department). The gardener shall assist in snow and ice removal using hand tools and other equipment in addition to chemical of diverse types without injury to plant material. Will have contact with employees and patients throughout the station. The gardener may supervise fellow employees on the Grounds Department for specific assignments and is expected to plan those projects in a way that maximizes results. They must be able to express themselves in a logical and efficient manner to communicate ideas and needs.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Contacts

• Address Minneapolis VA Medical Center One Veterans Drive Minneapolis, MN 55417 US
• Name: Alexandria Burris
• Phone: 5056097409
• Email: [email protected]