This position is part of the Engineering Service at the VA Western Colorado Health Care System. The individual in this position performs professional gardening work concerned wit the maintenance and improvement of 20 acres at the Medical Center and is specifically involved with the culture of the existing and proposed trees, shrubs, lawns, flower beds and interior plantings.

Duties

Duties include but are not limited to the following: Performs duties relative to the care, maintenance, protection and preservation of grounds, ornamental beds, trees, shrubs, and grass in an assigned area. Prepares the soil in areas where flowers and seeds are to be planted. Determines the proper amount of plants, seeds, fertilizer, lime or other materials required for an area. Selects and applies the correct fungicide, insecticide, or herbicide to control plant insects, diseases and/or weeds. Plants and transplants shrubbery and trees and thins flowers to promote proper growth and enhance appearance. Applies mulch and/or decorative stone to ornamental beds and weeds, as required. Reseeds areas as necessary to promote fullest growth: Salvages, labels, and stores bulbs and seed for the following year. Prunes and trims shrubbery and trees which require shaping, thinning and removal of dead/diseased/unsightly branches. Operates mechanical powered equipment such as riding and push mowers, edgers, trimmers, chain saw, blowers, cultivator, snow plow, and various hand tools. May be required to operate a small forklift to retrieve and/or store supplies used for gardening or grounds maintenance. Operates pick-up truck with trailer to transport personnel, equipment, supplies and other materials to and from worksite within the installation. Ensures vehicle is properly and securely loaded. Performs operator maintenance such as checking oil and water and completes trip tickets and accident reports as necessary. Reports vehicle malfunctions to supervisor Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Position Description Title/PD#: Gardener (Motor Vehicle/Tractor Operator)/PD11538A 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, 12/06/2024. 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 Do the Work of the Position without More Than Normal SupervisionDexterity and SafetyInterpret Instructions, Specifications (other than blueprint reading)MaterialsMeasuring InstrumentsTechnical PracticesUse and Maintain Tools and Equipment 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: 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 75 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 effort involves pulling, climbing, working with hands over head. Must have the ability to be on feet for extended 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. Outside work will involve exposure to a variety of weather conditions as is expected in the area. The temperature for Grand Junction typically ranges between 10° lows in the winter and 100° highs in the summer. 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 Grand Junction VA Healthcare System. Incumbent will be exposed to the possibility of cuts, bruises and insect bites. Work is often dirty and dusty. Work is inside and outside, and off ladders and scaffolds.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Contacts

• Address VA Western Colorado Health Care System 2121 North Avenue Grand Junction, CO 81501 US
• Name: VISN 19 HR Contact Center
• Phone: 719-227-4600
• Email: [email protected]