Employee will serve as a Gardener (Tractor Operator) within the Transportation and Grounds section of Engineering Service located at the Robley Rex Veterans Healthcare System in Louisville, KY.

Duties

Duties will include, but may not be limited to the following: Performs collateral duties to include vehicle maintenance support, snow removal operations, and shuttle operation for transporting patients and staff. Performs seasonal gardening tasks such as fertilizing, preparing seedbeds, transplanting, laying sod, aerating, pruning, trimming, and applying chemicals to plants according to directions. Schedules and plans seasonal gardening tasks and preparation of soil from instructions, blending the proper mixture of such materials as sand, humus, topsoil, and fertilizer in preparation for plants and seedbeds. Places seeds and plants in soil at proper depth, taking care not to damage roots while transplanting and lays sod, aerating lawns, and pruning and trimming shrubs and hedges for a neat appearance. Measures and mixes specified amounts of fungicides, insecticides, and herbicides following instructions on product labels and sprays or dusts with these chemicals according to instructions. Responds to chemical spills on the grounds and decontaminates the exposed area with the proper absorbents and chemicals and prepares the waste for proper disposal. Operates a variety of gasoline, diesel, or electric powered-wheeled vehicles used to perform grounds keeping and maintenance and operates these vehicles as required based on seasonal demands, special projects or unique situations. Control sand prevents infestation of insect pests, vertebrate pests, and plant pests such as weeds, plant diseases, and fungi. Performs visual inspections for pests or evidence of their presence during routine grounds maintenance. Performs other duties as necessary. Work Schedule: Monday-Thursday, 7:00am - 5:30pm (10-hour workdays). May work irregular tours as needed and as emergencies arise, which may include evenings, nights, weekends, or holidays. DESIGNATED DRUG-TESTING POSITION: Applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Applicants will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test result is received. Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved

Requirements

Qualifications

Applicants will be rated in accordance with the OPM Federal Wage System Qualifications. For this position, the job element method is used to match what you, the applicant, can do against what the work calls for. Your knowledge, skills and abilities will be compared to the knowledge, skills and abilities (called job elements) needed for success. Your qualifications will first be evaluated against the prescribed screen out element (WG-2 and higher only; screen-outs are not applicable to WG-1). Applicants who appear to meet the screen out element are considered for further rating; those who do not are rated ineligible and are eliminated from consideration. The potential eligibles are rated against the remainder of the job elements. While a specific length of training and experience is not required, your responses to the questionnaire must be supported by detailed descriptions of your experience on your resume. SCREEN-OUT: Requires the ability to do the work of a Gardener (Tractor Operator) without more than normal supervision. Applicant experience includes working in a Commercial/Industrial environment, performing seasonal gardening tasks such as fertilizing, preparing seedbeds, transplanting, laying sod, aerating, pruning, trimming; measuring/mixing and applying chemicals (fungicides, insecticides, herbicides) to control and prevent common animals and plant pests and infestations; and operating various gasoline, diesel, or electric powered vehicles to perform grounds keeping and maintenance and operating these vehicles and equipment based on seasonal demands (snow removal, etc.). AND SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR (SCREEN-OUT) - A Selective Placement Factor (SPF) has been identified for this position. Selective Placement Factors (SPF) are a prerequisite to appointment and represent minimum requirements for the position. Applicants who do not meet the SPF are ineligible for further consideration. The SPF for this position is: Requires a valid state Driver's License. (Note: We cannot accept pictures. Please DO NOT submit a copy of your Driver's License. This requirement will be verified if interviewed.) A Quality Ranking Factor* has also been requested by the facility to help determine which of the basically qualified applicants are likely to be better qualified for a position. The quality ranking factor for this position is: Position will require a State Chemical Applications License. Applicant who currently possess this license, please upload a copy with your applications materials to receive credit. Applicants who do not currently possess this license, will be required to obtain, and maintain within the timeframe set forth by the hiring facility. *Quality Ranking Factors are skills, knowledge, abilities, or other worker characteristics which could be expected to result in superior performance on the job. Quality ranking factors will not be used for screening but may be used as ranking criteria. Applicants with higher proficiency levels may rank above those with lower proficiency levels on a quality ranking factor. You will be rated on the following Job Elements as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: Dexterity and SafetyMaterialsMeasuring InstrumentsQuality Ranking FactorTechnical PracticesUse and Maintain Tools and EquipmentWithout more than normal supervision PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS: Requires the capability to handle the physical and mental demands of operating grounds vehicles and grounds equipment for prolonged periods in all type of inclement weather and adverse driving conditions. Employee is required to load, arrange, and unload cargo to provide proper safe weight distribution and directs seating arrangements of passengers, and assist in lifting and carrying supplied hauled; requires lifting and pushing heavy articles while loading/unloading cargo. Employee is expected to apply heavy physical effort in frequently lifting and moving objects over 50 pounds, operate power mowers on grades or pushing heavy equipment. Required to walk, stand, stoop, crawl, and climb stairs and ladders. Considerable strain is caused by vibration, jerking, and jolting. Required to work under various weather conditions and road conditions, to operate snowplow and sand/salt spreader during icy and snowy conditions. May be exposed to extremes of hot and cold temperatures and all types of weather conditions while working outdoors. May be exposed to long hours of driving under various road conditions including wet or snow covered or congested roads which require a high level of mental concentration. May work inside in garage areas that may be dusty, drafty, and noisy. The equipment and tasks involved frequently require special care to avoid serious injury. May be exposed to noxious items such as poison ivy, wasps, and other pests. Special precautions must be taken to avoid and prevent injuries. Personal protective equipment such as hared hats, gloves, safety glasses, ear plugs, etc. must be worn when conditions justify their use. Frequently, gloves and filter masks are required to be worn and on occasion, filter masks or respirators are required to be worn. IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. 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. 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; religious; 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.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Contacts

• Address Robley Rex VA Medical Center 800 Zorn Avenue Louisville, KY 40206 US
• Name: VHA National Recruitment Center
• Phone: (844)456-5208
• Email: [email protected]