The incumbent has the duties of Gardener in the Grounds Section of Facilities Management with required knowledge of gardening procedures, tending lawns, flowers, shrubs, and trees. Preparing for plants, seeding, and thinning, transplanting, trimming, pruning, fertilizing, aerating, mulching, spraying, and dusting of grass, ground cover, flowers, shrubs, and trees. Required to work with a minimum of supervision to perform a wide variety of duties located at the EOVAHCS in Muskogee, Oklahoma.

Duties

Major duties and responsibilities include: The Employee is required to work with a minimum of supervision to perform a wide variety of duties to enhance and maintain the appearance of the Medical Center Grounds. Needs the ability to act independently. Using own judgment, directs and performs tasks. Must have a knowledge of gardening practices. Ability to diagnose and controlling plant diseases, planting, transplanting plants, and proper watering practices. Determines the proper type, time of season and application of fertilizers and herbicides for contractor application. The work involves precise, calculated trimming, thinning and pruning of trees and shrubs. Must be able to compute quantities of plants, and seeds required for a specific area. Reproduces plants through cutting, grafting rooting and layering process. Receives assignments from supervisor either orally and/or through written work orders. Receives general instructions and independently plans work projects keeping with established gardening practices. The incumbent will initiate orders for materials and supplies. All tools, protective equipment and safety equipment shall be kept in clean and in serviceable condition. Will be required to do maintenance and preventive maintenance of all grounds equipment. Responsible for ensuring that all equipment is maintained, is oiled and in safe operating condition before uses, must properly clean and check equipment before storing and report to supervisor any equipment not in proper or safe operating condition. Knowledge of the application of fertilizers and herbicides. Studies the local suitability of the weather, degree of moisture in the air, soil and stages of plant growth to decide when and where the work will be accomplished. Is responsible for abiding by all OSHA and EPA safety rules and regulation as they pertain to performing the maintenance work and will abide by all hospital and safety regulations. Will observe safe work practices, exercising proper care, utilization and control of work tools, materials and government property. Will use appropriate safety equipment and/or tools for the task being performed. Compiles reports regarding equipment not in proper or safe operating condition. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Position Description Title/PD#: Gardener(Tractor Operator)/PD119470 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/20/2023. 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 screen-out element for this position is Ability To Do The Work Of The Position Without More Than Normal Supervision. The potential eligible 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: Incumbent must be physically fit, as work tasks require frequent walking, standing, bending, stooping, pushing of carts, lawnmowers, edger's and wheelbarrows. Work task may involve occasional lifting and carrying heavy (approximately 50 pounds) with frequent lifting and carrying of moderately heavy objects (up to 40 pounds) such as grass seed, trash bags, ice melt, containers, trimming and waste. Other physical effo1t involves pulling, climbing, working with hands over head. Must have the ability to be on feet for long periods of time either standing, walking or working off ladders. Climbs ladders to prune and/or trim shrubs and trees. Working Conditions: Primary work will be in the exterior grounds and parking areas of the medical center. Incumbent is required to use all the proper tools and safety equipment to protect himself/herself, staff, patients and visitors. Other assignments can be in any area of the EOVAHCS. Will be exposed to the possibility of cuts, bruises and insect bites. Work is often ditty and dusty. Work is inside and outside, and off ladders and scaffolds. Outside work will involve exposure to a variety of weather conditions as is expected in the Muskogee, Oklahoma area. IN DESCRIBING YOUR KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS. If your resume does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your responses.

Education

There is no education substitution at this grade level.

Contacts

• Address Jack C Montgomery VA Medical Center 1011 Honor Heights Drive Muskogee, OK 74401 US
• Name: Kenneth Meech
• Phone: 918-577-4753
• Email: [email protected]