This position is located at the Nebraska-Western Iowa Veterans Health Administration's Grand Island, or Omaha, NE campuses. Under the direction of the Maintenance Supervisor, the incumbent independently installs, modifies, repairs and maintains a variety of tress, plants, landscapes, and irrigation systems while directly reporting to the Maintenance and Operations Supervisor.

Duties

Major duties include but are not limited to: Cutting, edging, aerating, thatching, grooming, weeding, fertilizing lawns; Trimming and weeding shrub beds and flower beds; Planting shrubs and flowers and transplanting both large shrubs and small trees; Trimming and pruning trees as instructed to ensure both health and aesthetic appeal; Making recommendations to the supervisor as to when to fertilize, plant, or transplant trees and shrubs; Applying a wide range of chemicals to plants, turf, flowers, and trees, maintaining a detailed log of chemical usage as per federal, state, and local requirements; Installing, repairing, and maintaining irrigations systems; Power washing buildings, emptying trash receptacles, and picking up trash or debris around outdoor picnic or seating areas; Operating and maintaining various high-powered, specialized lawn and grounds-maintenance equipment such as mowers, tractors, front-end loaders, street sweepers, backhoes, forklifts, main lifts, edgers, speeders, tillers, thatchers, aerators, sprayers, weed eaters, blowers, and hand tools; and Performing minor operational maintenance of agricultural equipment including changing oil, replacing filters, lubricating bearings and mechanical belts, and replacing belts. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 0700-1530 Position Description Title/PD#: Gardener/PD70445A Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Bargaining Unit Position: Yes - AFGE The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 12/27/2023. 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. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include but are not limited to: Considering the seasonal schedules or project plans for assigned area, suitability of weather/climate, degree of moisture in the soil, and stage of plant growth in deciding when and how to accomplish work; figuring quantities of plants, seeds, fertilizer, and other materials needed for specific areas; selecting proper fungicides, insecticides, and herbicides for the control of common plant diseases, insects, and weeds; following manufacturer's instructions on product labels regarding the depth and spacing of seeds and application of chemicals; operating/maintaining vehicles normally associated with gardening/grounds maintenance; and performing physically demanding gardening tasks such as weeding, planting/transplanting large shrubs; cutting, trimming, and maintaining trees; and edging, aerating, and thatching beds and lawns. 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: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination. Working Conditions: The incumbent is exposed to weather extremes of hot and cold, both indoors and outdoors. Is exposed to weather conditions for extended hours. The incumbent is exposed to infectious hazards, chemicals, hazardous materials, gases/fumes, and the possibility of burns, infection, scrapes, and broken bones. Incumbent is subject to insect bites and stings and exposure to poisonous plants such as poison Ivy and poison oak.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Contacts

• Address VA Nebraska-Western Iowa HCS - Omaha 4101 Woolworth Avenue Omaha, NE 68105 US
• Name: Barbara Jones
• Phone: (651)405-5648
• Email: [email protected]