This position is located in the Grounds Section of the Engineering Service at the Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center, Iron Mountain, MI, a level 3 complexity VHA Facility. The purpose for this position is to perform seasonal gardening and grounds maintenance work, operate tractors with towed or attached equipment, and operate motor vehicles for grounds work.

Duties

Major Duties: - Responsible for maintaining the overall appearance of the grounds. - Plant/transplant specific flowers, shrubs, grass, and trees according to instructions. - Landscape assigned areas by spreading topsoil, fertilizing, liming, seeding, planting, laying sod, and watering. - Performs grounds maintenance work, such as mowing, weeding, watering, pruning, and trimming; mows and trims grass evenly, weeds flower beds, and waters lawn; uses approved methods to prune/trim shrubs and hedges and makes proper cuts. - Performs snow removal work using shovels, trucks, front-end loaders and/or tractors with hydraulic attachments. - Salts and sands sidewalk and parking lots. - Utilizes the front-end loader with snow blower attachment to move snow banks as required. - Operate the following equipment in a safe manner according to the manufacturer's instructions: Tractors with attachments, Lawn Tractor with attachments, Class 5 Medium Duty Flatbed pick-up with dump box, Electric Utility Vehicle, Zero-Turn Lawn mowers, and 16 ft. bumper-pull trailer. Work Schedule: Full Time, Monday - Friday 7:00am - 3:30pm Compressed/Flexible Schedule: Not authorized Position Description Title/PD#: Gardener/PD20049A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 08/15/2023. 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 eligible(s) are then rated against the remainder of the Job Elements: 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: Physical effort is light to moderate. Exerts additional effort in operating equipment controls, making frequent arm and leg movements. The work requires frequent walking, standing, stooping, bending, reaching, climbing, and pushing carts and wheelbarrows. Frequently lifts and carries parts and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds, and occasionally, moves heavier items with assistance. Occasionally, climbs ladders to prune or trim vegetation. Working Conditions: Works primarily outside and is exposed to all kinds of weather conditions, vibrations, and jolts from the tractor and towed equipment. Exposed to chemical dust and sprays, dust, dirt, mud, grease, and/or fumes. May wear protective clothing such as gloves, safety shoes, and boots. Follows prescribed safety practices and uses safety equipment to avoid injury and possible hazards in the work area. Minor injuries may occur such as bruises, cuts and scrapes

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Contacts

• Address Oscar G Johnson Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Facility 325 East H Street Iron Mountain, MI 49801 US
• Name: Cosby Johnson
• Phone: 515-323-7575 X3239
• Email: [email protected]