The Gardener Work Leader is assigned to the Grounds and Transportation Unit within the Engineering Service of the James H. Quillen VA Medical Center, Mountain Home, TN Health Care System. The incumbent serves as the Head Gardener and Grounds and Transportation Unit Work Leader under the direct supervision of the Supervisor Gardener.

Duties

Major duties include: The incumbent makes independent judgments and decisions within the framework of oral and written instructions and accepted trade practices, processes and procedures while completing assignments. The incumbent performs the full scope of duties relative to determining the methods, techniques, materials, and tools best suited to the particular demands of each job. The incumbent provides progress reports to the Supervisor on work assignments. The incumbent Informs the Supervisor of the need to revise work schedules, requests authority to adjust work assignments and to use overtime, equipment and materials to meet established schedules. The incumbent participates with the Supervisor in the initial planning of current and future work schedules, budget requests, staffing needs, estimates, and recommendations as to scheduling projected work. The incumbent performs all tasks independently, utilizing their own knowledge and experience in carrying out the duties which are within the framework of good gardening practices and station plans. The incumbent makes independent judgments in treating soil and in deciding which plants will be moved, where they will be transplanted, and how problem conditions will be treated; in deciding the extent of trimming and pruning to be performed on trees and shrubs, rejuvenation and treatment procedures to be performed, and the extent of bracing or cabling necessary for diseased or injured trees. The incumbent is held accountable for the quantity and quality of work performed under the technical guidance and direction of the Supervisor Gardener. The incumbent performs tasks that involve the full scope of landscaping, maintenance, and upkeep of the station grounds, which is heavily populated with trees, shrubs, bushes, rose bushes, and flower beds. The incumbent considers individual needs or characteristics of plants in work, such as adjusting mineral content or nutrient deficiencies of soil in transplanting grasses, flowers shrubs, and trees. Incumbent provides total tree maintenance, such as proper pruning, to maintain a balance between roots and top growth. The incumbent must know different techniques and methods of maintenance, such as removing diseased and decayed wood, cabling and bracing to strengthen weakened crotches or limbs. The incumbent recognizes and controls infrequent plant diseases, cold damage, and mineral deficiencies. The incumbent records corrective procedures used, including any new processes applied and results achieve. The incumbent consults gardening books, or catalogs regarding physical characteristics of plants and individual needs for sun, water, minerals, and soil mixture. The incumbent serves as a first responder to calls from facility administration for Grounds and Transportation assistance after normal business hours and on weekends: Independently triages, troubleshoots, and solves reported problem, or calls in additional resources, as necessary. The incumbent provides direct assistance to the Grounds and Transportation Unit Supervisor and Automotive Mechanic in day to day management of the shop to specifically include the Transportation and Vehicle Fleet Management Program duties and associated data entry. The incumbent must possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities: Skill in performance of the full range of tree and gardening tasks, fish pond maintenance, and exterior pest control, including, but is not limited to, the care and maintenance of lawns, flower beds, shrubs, trees, and fish ponds.; Ability to accurately determine the cause of specific problems in the above areas and the knowledge of corrective control measures, must know how to increase or decrease the mineral content of soil so that acid or alkaline condition is neutralized in line with plant requirements. The incumbent Ability to recognize plant diseases and apply proper chemical compounds for specific conditions. Knowledge of portable electric generator operation; Skill in using chain saws, line trimmers and leaf blowers, (electric and gas powered), tractor type forklift, dump trucks, excavators, backhoes, tractors, busses, loaders, plows, commercial mowers, bailers, street sweepers, golf carts. Work Schedule: Various Tours Possible Position Description Title/PD#: Gardener Work Leader/PD60269O Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 08/02/2024. 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: Ability to Lead or SuperviseAbility to Use and Maintain Tools and EquipmentDexterity and SafetyKnowledge of MaterialsTechnical Practices (Theoretical, Precise, Artistic)Use of Measuring Instruments 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: Work will be performed over 250 acres and, as such, requires frequent walking and the use of a tractor for transportation of equipment and materials. Frequent bending, stooping and standing are required due to the nature of the work. The The Grounds and Transportation Unit Supervisor will climb ladders to prune, plant material or perform tasks such as placing Christmas lights. Incumbent will be required to lift heavy objects such as fertilizer, salt, plant material and maneuver loaded wheelbarrows. The majority of work is done outdoors. The The Grounds and Transportation Unit Supervisor will be subject to discomfort from long periods of heat and humidity, cold, wind, rain and snow, and will perform responsibilities with minimum interruption under these conditions. Incumbent will be exposed to chemical sprays and dusts. Employee will be provided protective clothing and equipment such as gloves, respirator, safety shoes and boots. During periods of extreme weather, such as heavy rain or severe cold, the incumbent may be given assignments to assist other members of the section in moving materials and equipment, shop maintenance and other tasks which may be outside the range of gardening.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Contacts

• Address James H Quillen VA Medical Center Corner of Lamont Street and Veterans Way Mountain Home, TN 37684 US
• Name: Paulette Stewart
• Email: [email protected]