The primary purpose of this position is to provide gardening and laboring services to the facility; assisting with the removal or snow during the winter operations; and cleaning the parking facility by removing trash, debris, and anything that might be considered unsightly on a routine basis. The work requires knowledge of gardening procedures; skills in growing and tending lawns, flowers, shrubs, and trees; and skills in grounds maintenance.

Duties

Duties include and are not limited to: The incumbent is responsible for maintaining the overall appearance of the grounds. They will plant/transplant specific flowers, shrubs, grass, and trees according to instructions; and shall landscape assigned areas by spreading topsoil, fertilizing, liming, seeding, planting, laying sod, and watering. They will need to compute required quantities of plants, seeds, lime, fertilizer and other materials needed for optimal growth. Maintains roads, grounds and walks by performing seasonal gardening tasks involving preparing planting areas, laying sod, watering, planting, transplanting, pruning, mowing, and trimming plants, shrubs, and trees. They will maintain flowers and seeded areas to ensure attractive appearance and apply fertilizers and chemicals according to instruction. The incumbent will perform grounds maintenance work, such as mowing, and weeding. The incumbent will use hand tools, basic power tools, powered (walk behind) mowers and riding type lawn mowers. Use approved methods to prune/trim shrubs and hedges making proper cuts; looks for obvious plant diseases, and unusual or poor plant growth and will report the conditions. Performs snow removal work using trucks, front-end loaders and/or tractors with hydraulic attachments; salts and sands sidewalk and parking lots; applies deicing treatment to parking structures; pushes snowbanks back with the front-end loader; and utilizes the front-end loader with snow blower attachment to move snowbanks as required. They perform earthwork for grounds maintenance and gravel parking lot repairs; fills potholes in the parking lots; and sweeps parking lots and parking structures. Operates the following or similar equipment in a safe manner according to the manufacturer's instructions while performing the various duties of the position: - Bobcat 5600 Utility Machine/Loader with attachments (Light material bucket, Heavy material bucket, hydraulic snow brush, snow pushing bucket, snow blower) - Bobcat 619 Telehandler - CAT 908H Front Loader with attachments (forks, buckets) - John Deer Skid Steer with attachments (snow pushing, lifting) - John Deer Garden Tractor with attachments (snow brush, snow blower, 72" mower deck) - Scag Stand-on Zero Turn Mower - 60" deck - Tennant Street Sweeper - Ford F350 Pick-up Truck with attachments (snowplow, 0.5 cubic yard box salter) - Kubota & John Deer 4x4 Utility Vehicles Unloads trucks, moves supplies and materials and is responsible for safe and secure storage of these items. As need arises, transports refuse and recovered scrap metal to on-campus proper disposal/recycle dumpsters. Determines equipment operations for maneuvering over level or rolling terrain that are appropriate to the operating characteristics of the tractor and towed or attached equipment; connects equipment to tractor by making multiple mechanical and hydraulic connections; makes numerous equipment adjustments according to established methods for various job requirements, such as setting mower blade height, depth of plow blades, rate of application for seeders, and sprayer attachments. The equipment may be powered by direct drive or power takeoff. The incumbent will select appropriate gears, power ratios, settings, and speeds, as well as lifting, balancing, braking, and turning capacity, based on various soil conditions; ensures tractor is not overloaded and load is properly and evenly distributed and secured for safety and stability; and maneuvers and turns tractor and equipment using safe operating practices. Performs routine, minor maintenance of the lawn tractors and their related equipment. This includes greasing, lubing, changing oil, changing spark plugs, changing hydraulic fluid and bleeding hydraulic lines, and changing filters, in accordance with manufacturer recommendations. Utilize safety practices and procedures by following established safety rules and regulations and maintains a safe and clean work environment by cleaning equipment, sweeping, straightening, and lining up tools and other property in the assigned area. The incumbent uses and assures proper fit of required safety equipment and clothing. They will also follow federal and state rules when storing, using, handling, labeling, and disposing of hazardous materials and waste in accordance with environmental standards; and performs clean-up duties to ensure a safe work environment. Work Schedule: 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Compressed/Flexible Schedule: Position Description Title/PD#: Gardener - Motor Vehicle Operator/PD16239O Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. 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. Skill & Knowledge: (Document your experience on these in your resume) Knowledge of seasonal gardening tasks, such as fertilizing, preparing seedbeds, transplanting, laying sod, aerating, pruning, trimming, and applying chemicals to plants. Knowledge of grounds maintenance, such as mowing grass, trimming hedges and shrubs, and how to apply fertilizer evenly to avoid underfeeding or burning plants. Ability to recognize obvious plant disease and unusual or poor plant growth. Skill in adjusting equipment for various job requirements, such as setting the height of mower blades, the depth of plow blades, and the rate of application for seeders and sprayer attachments. Skill in operating tractor and equipment between shrubs and trees, along fence lines and curbs, in snowy or marshy areas, and in areas where tree limbs, bushes, and rocks are more likely to cause clogging or jamming of the equipment. Skill to cut grass on slopes while operating the tractor on level ground or along roads. Skill in operating front-end loading devices to move trees, load and unload soil, and perform other associated tasks. Knowledge of operating characteristics of the tractor and towed/attached equipment, such as tractor gears and power ratios, as well as lifting, balancing, braking, and turning capacities. Knowledge of operating wheel-mounted farm-type tractors and towed or attached equipment when on level or rolling terrain, in areas such as open fields, parks, orchards, lawns, and along roadways. Knowledge of equipment to make multiple connections from equipment to the tractor, connecting mechanical drive shafts and hydraulic lines. Knowledge of equipment capabilities to determine power requirements for various soil conditions to determine safe operating speeds. Knowledge of and skill in operation of tractor and manipulation of equipment controls together. Skill in using and maintaining hand and power tools. Ability to judge clearances, heights, and turning angles of tractor and towed vehicles. Skill and ability to perform operator maintenance on tractors and equipment. 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: Dexterity and SafetyInterpret Instructions, Specifications (other than blueprint reading)MaterialsMeasuring InstrumentsTechnical PracticesUse and Maintain Tools and EquipmentWithout more than normal supervision 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 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. 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 William S Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital 2500 Overlook Terrace Madison, WI 53705 US
• Name: Lisa Maddox
• Email: [email protected]