This position is located at the Erie VA Medical Center and falls under the Associate Director, Facilities Management Service (FMS), Operations section. The purpose of the position is to perform year-round grounds maintenance and to engage in limited construction work. The main duties include gardening, operating and repairing a variety of equipment and vehicles, and laboring duties which include assisting with loading, unloading, and moving food and beverages between designated locations.

Duties

Work Schedule: Sun & Mon 6:30am-7:00pm, Tue & Wed 10:30am- 7:00pm Shifts may vary; Position is subject to 24-hour call in/back during inclement weather conditions. Position Description Title/PD#: Gardener (Motor Vehicle Operator)/PD010510 As a Gardener (Motor Vehicle Operator), duties include but not limited to: Gardener: Planting and Transplanting - plants flowers, shrubs, and trees; computes quantities and species of trees, plants, and seeds needed to develop and maintain specific areas considering proper temperature zone, location, and soil condition for particular purposes (shade, boundary lines, ground cover, erosion control, angle of slope, or pleasing appearance). Trimming & Pruning - weed trimming; tree trimming; shaping trees and shrubs; pruning and cutting to obtain a proper balance between roots and top growth. Watering & Fertilizing - decides when and which method or technique to use to determine when grass, shrubs, and tress should be watered and fertilized; uses various soil additive techniques; mulching; fertilizing to adjust the mineral content of the soil Lawn Mowing Motor Vehicle Operator - Operates the following types of equipment and vehicles: Wheel mounted tractors and associated equipment - The tractors and associated equipment are used in grounds maintenance and in minor construction projects. Tractors are operated primarily on level or rolling terrain where there is minimal danger of overturning the tractor and attached equipment. Trucks equipped with power lift gates, dump beds, and snowplows (maximum gross vehicle weight rating of 26,000 pounds) - This equipment is used primarily in snow removal and delivery of food and beverages to outlying buildings. Construction and engineering equipment with wheeled or crawler-type traction. Responsible for routine maintenance and repair of the equipment and vehicles listed above. Drives government fleet vehicles, such as sedans, wagons, SUVs and vans for both routine and non-routine maintenance as well as for routine and non-routine washes, both on and off campus. Laborer: During the winter season, responsible for snow removal. Manually shovels sidewalks and entry ways and then spreads salt. Utilize snow blowers, UTV-mounted plows. Performs loading and unloading of food and beverage containers and carts, construction materials, supplies and equipment. Also moves furniture as needed. Moves food and beverage containers and carts, construction materials, supplies and equipment between buildings. Compressed/Flexible Schedule: Available Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/15/2023. 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 eligibles are then rated against the remainder of the Job Elements: Dexterity and SafetyInterpret Instructions, Specifications (other than blueprint reading)MaterialsTechnical 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: Total body muscular effort and foot, leg, eye, hand, and arm coordination are required for operating grounds keeping equipment including operation of zero-radius turn mowers, Tool Cat, snow plow, salter, mowers, weed-eaters, edgers, chainsaws, leaf blowers, motor vehicles, etc. Normal daily physical effort requires: a. Lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling up to 50-lbs regularly or over 50-lbs. intermittently; b. Frequent climbing and balancing on equipment, motor vehicles, loading docks; c. Regular stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling; and, d. Fine finger dexterity needed to properly operate equipment and machinery. Working Conditions: Work is performed primarily outdoors in all types of weather, to include extreme continuous snowfall and temperatures in the winter months. Subject to long periods in the sun, rain, hot and cold weather. Exposure to direct sun, dust, wind, fumes, noise in excess of 85 dBA and chemical sprays. Chance of minor injuries such as bruises, cuts, scrapes frost bite and bee stings. Equipment repairs may occur in a garage at which time incumbent may be exposed to grease, oil, dust and chemicals used for cleaning or lubrication. Strain caused by constant vibration of equipment and jerking and jolting over rough surfaces. Incumbent is frequently required to work in awkward or strained positions. The job requires approximately 10% sitting, 40% riding equipment and/or driving, and 50% physical labor performing all duties. The job is performed 20% indoors and 80% outdoors and is frequently done in temperature and weather extremes. Job includes significant exposure to risk of injury.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Contacts

• Address Erie VA Medical Center 135 East 38th Street Erie, PA 16504 US
• Name: Margie Brooks
• Phone: (412) 822-1090
• Email: [email protected]