The position is located in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Mid-Atlantic Health Care Network (VISN 6), Salisbury VA Medical Center, Facilities Management Service. The primary duties of the position includes preparing soil for plants, seeding, thinning, transplanting, trimming, pruning, fertilizing, aerating, mulching, spraying, and dusting of grass, ground cover, flowers, shrubs, and trees.

Duties

Performs all duties related to plant maintenance and installation. These duties include, but are not limited to, pruning, shaping, thinning, transplanting, fertilizing, and preparing beds for planting, watering, soil sampling, mulching, and applying pesticides. Inspects the plants for disease, insects, and other pests which affect the health and appearance of the plant. Analyzes the problems and independently takes the proper action to deal with these problems. When necessary, the incumbent uses available reference literature to diagnose plant health problems and keeps the Gardener Foreman informed of the methods which will be used to treat the plants. Monitors possible high erosion areas; prepare soil by considering individual needs of plants and if needed adjust mineral content through proper mixture of such materials as sand, humus, topsoil, and fertilizer. Snow removal process to include pretreatment of parking lots and roadways on the VA property before frozen precipitation falls. Must have a valid state driver's license and within one year have applicable NC Pesticide License. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:00am-3:30pm Position Description Title/PD#: Gardener (Tractor Operator)/PD016250 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/03/2023. 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: Follow DirectionsInspectPhysical Strength and AgilityUse 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: The work requires frequent walking, standing, pushing of carts, wheel barrows, and lawnmowers. Frequently climbs ladders, lifts heavy objects such as equipment, bags of fertilizer and grass seed that could weigh in excess of 50 pounds. Work performed requires strenuous physical effort, as the incumbent must constantly be reaching, moving hands, arms, and lets to operate tractor and equipment controls. Incumbent is exposed to the possibility of serious injury from fall or from overturning the tractor and equipment when performing work on steep slopes and rough terrain. Operator is constantly exposed to unpleasant noise levels, vibrations, dirt, and jolting and is often exposed to long periods of hot sun and bad weather. Duties performed outdoors would subject the position to all weather conditions; hot, cold, wet, etc. being exposed to dirt, dust, mud, chemical sprays, and strong adhesive agents. The position must comply with all safety rules, regulations, codes, and practices and will be required to wear protective clothing such as gloves, safety goggles, and shoes. Physical hazards such as tripping, falling, burns, chemicals, noise, dust, and other debris is common.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Contacts

• Address WG Bill Hefner Salisbury VA Medical Center 1601 Brenner Avenue Salisbury, NC 28144 US
• Name: Delores Harris
• Phone: 919-956-5541
• Email: [email protected]